Exempted provider

Prepared by Anne Marie Davis, LCSW (license #17895, expires Dec. 31, 2023), who is authorized by State Y under LAW 12345(e) to conduct home studies.

In accordance with 22 CFR Part 96, American Adoptions Services Inc. (State Y license #99451, expires Nov. 10, 2024) is an agency accredited and approved to conduct intercountry adoption home studies, and has reviewed and approved the home study for Mr. and Mrs. Smith and met the conditions in 22 CFR 96.47(c).

Supervised provider

Prepared in Country X by Anne Marie Davis, LCSW (license #17895, expires Dec. 31, 2023), who is authorized by State Y under LAW 12345(e) to conduct home studies. Anne Marie Davis is a supervised provider for American Adoption Services Inc., based on an agreement signed on July 26, 2020, with American Adoption Services Inc. In accordance with 22 CFR Part 96, American Adoptions Services Inc. (State Y license #99451, expires Nov. 10, 2024) is an agency accredited and approved to provide adoption services in an intercountry adoption. American Adoption Services Inc. supervised, reviewed, and approved the home study for Mr. and Mrs. Smith conducted by Anne Marie Davis, meeting the conditions in 22 CFR 96.47(c).

Accredited agency or approved person

Prepared by Anne Marie Davis, LCSW (license #17895, expires Dec. 31, 2023), who is authorized by State Y under LAW 12345(e) to prepare home studies. Anne Marie Davis is employed by American Adoption Services Inc. In accordance with 22 CFR Part 96, American Adoption Services Inc. is an agency accredited and approved to conduct intercountry adoption home studies.

Public domestic authority

Prepared by Anne Marie Davis, a licensed social worker under the authority of the Department of Social Services Child Welfare Division of State Y.

Public foreign authority

Prepared by Anne Marie Davis, a licensed social worker under the authority of the Department of Social Services Child Welfare Division of Country X.

I first interviewed Bradley and Alice Smith at my office in City W, State Y, on Dec. 1, 2020. I first interviewed them together for about half an hour, and then met with each of them separately for about 15 minutes each. I then interviewed them again at their home in City Z, State Y, on Dec. 8, 2020.

Their daughters, Ngoye and Emma Smith, were present during the home visit and I observed their interaction with their children. Adult member of the household Jennifer Jones was also present during the home visit and I interviewed her separately for 30 minutes.

There are 2 children in the home. Their daughter Emma Smith was born on March 1, 2019 in City Z, State Y.  Their daughter Ngoye Smith (formerly Ngoye Fredericks A#123-456-780) was born on Oct. 23, 2013, in City A, Country B.  Ngoye was initially adopted by Alice Smith and her prior spouse on June 15, 2015. After Alice’s prior spouse passed away, she subsequently married Bradley Smith and he became Ngoye’s stepfather. Bradley then officially adopted Ngoye on Nov. 15, 2019, as verified by the adoption decree.

Jennifer Jones was born Jan. 25, 1965, in City Z, State Y.  She is Alice’s mother and has been living with Bradley and Alice since 2017. Jennifer moved in with Bradley and Alice after her husband passed away.

Bradley Smith was born to Robert Smith and June Smith on Aug. 10, 1988, in City Z, Country X, as his birth certificate verifies. Bradley resided in Country X until 1998, when his family moved to the United States for his father’s work. He was raised in a traditional, 2-parent home in City Z, State Y. Bradley lived in Country A for a period of 6 months when he was 19 years old.

Bradley is an only child. Bradley describes his father as hard-working, smart, funny, and patient. He was a businessman during Bradley’s childhood. He describes his mother as hard-working, loving, and boisterous.  She was a homemaker and part-time salesperson at a local retail store.  Bradley describes his childhood relationship with his parents as close and loving. Bradley stated that his parents instilled the following values in him: respect, love, and family connection. His parents are both now retired and live in City Z, State Y. He sees them at least once a week and continues to have a positive relationship with them.

Alice Smith (Jones) was born to Edward and Jennifer Jones on Feb. 11, 1989, in State Y. She has 1 younger sister. Alice describes her parents as warm, supportive, and loving. Alice’s father died in 2017. Alice’s mother has lived with her and Bradley since.

Bradley and Alice are mindful of the ways that parenting a child through adoption differs from parenting biological children. Bradley and Alice appear to be patient, calm and resourceful parents.  Bradley and Alice have talked to their children about adding to their family through adoption, and their daughters are looking forward to having another sibling.

Bradley, Alice, Ngoye, and Emma have recently moved into a newly developed residential area that was built within a top-rated school district. The development has a diverse population, including a family from Country X.

The home consists of 2,500 square feet of living space. The first level of the home contains an open foyer, living room, formal dining room, office, half-bath, eat-in kitchen, and family room with a fireplace. The second level of the home contains a laundry room, primary bedroom and bath, 3 additional bedrooms, and 1 shared bathroom. One of the additional bedrooms belongs to Ngoye and Emma, and 1 has been decorated as the nursery for their new sister from Country X. Jennifer has her own room, bathroom, and living area in the finished basement of the home with a separate entrance. The home also has an attached 2-car garage and a large fenced-in backyard.

Each level of the home is fully equipped with smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and fire extinguishers. This home also has access to public utilities, shopping, local fire and police departments, medical services, major roadways, and recreational and cultural activities.

This home exceeds the State X requirements for safe and suitable accommodations for a child.

Bradley was born to Robert Smith and June Smith on Aug. 10, 1988, in City Z, Country X, which was verified by the home study preparer who viewed a copy of his birth certificate.  A copy of this certificate is maintained in the couple’s file at the agency.  The home study preparer also viewed Bradley’s U.S. Permanent Resident card, AXXXXXXXXX.  The card expires on May 5, 2025.

Alice Smith was born in the United States and is a U.S. citizen.

Bradley Smith was examined by his physician, Dr. John Rhoades, on Feb. 22, 2020.  Alice was examined by her physician, Dr. Johanna Gonzalez, on Feb. 25, 2020. Bradley and Alice were found to be in good physical and mental condition and free of communicable diseases. Their physicians indicated they have no history of physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral health issues. I reviewed these reports, and the above findings are as stated. It is my assessment that Bradley and Alice are emotionally, physically, and mentally stable and will provide a loving home for any child placed in this family. No referrals to medical or mental health professionals were made.

Emma and Ngoye Smith are both friendly, polite, and curious. The children are in good physical, mental, and emotional health and do not have any special needs. They were found to be in excellent physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral health by Dr. Mark Johnson on March 1, 2020. They do not have any behavioral concerns or criminal history and appear to be well-adjusted.

Jennifer Jones is a charming lady who is very outgoing, loves people, and enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. She loves to play cards and read and volunteers at the local food bank 3 days a week. Jennifer Jones was found to be in excellent physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral health as determined by Dr. Samuel Green on Nov. 15, 2020.

A computer search of State Y, USA, state criminal archives revealed no record for Bradley Allen Smith, Alice Erin Smith (Jones), or Jennifer Jones.  In response to my direct questions, Bradley, Alice, and Jennifer each stated they do not have any history, whether in the United States or abroad, of arrest, conviction, sexual abuse, child abuse or neglect, or family violence as an offender, even if such history did not result in an arrest or conviction. Bradley, Alice, and Jennifer individually replied “No” to the following questions:

1. Have you ever been arrested or convicted, whether in the United States or abroad?
2. Do you have a history of sexual abuse, child abuse or neglect, or family violence as an offender, whether in the United States or abroad?
3. Have you ever been investigated for any of these offenses, whether in the United States or abroad?
4. Have you ever transferred or received permanent custody of a child outside of the state or local authorities or outside of the state or local process?

Bradley and Jennifer replied “No” to the following question:

5. Do you have a history of alcohol, drug, or substance abuse, whether in the United States or abroad?

Alice indicated that she has no history of drug abuse, but that she did drink frequently while she was in college.

Bradley, Alice, and Jennifer are aware that a single incident counts as a “history” of crime, abuse, or violence.

Ensure a check has been done with any available child abuse registries for any state, territory, or foreign country in which a PAP or any AMH has resided since their 18th birthday.

Assess if the PAP or any AMH has been involved in a child custody transfer, and if so, if it rose to the level of an unregulated child custody transfer or other child abuse or neglect.

To comply with USCIS home study requirements, I checked the appropriate child abuse registries for each state or country where Bradley, Alice, and Jennifer have lived since their 18th birthday.

A search of State Y’s child abuse and neglect registry on Oct. 26, 2020, for Bradley Smith revealed no record. Bradley lived in Country A for a period of 6 months when he was 19 years old.  On Oct. 28, 2020, I verified that Country A does not have a child abuse registry.

A search of State Y’s child abuse and neglect registry on Oct. 26, 2020, revealed no record or reports on Alice Smith (Jones). On Oct. 28, 2020, I checked all appropriate child abuse registries in Country B, where Alice previously resided. No records were found under either her maiden name or married name.

A search of State Y’s child abuse and neglect registry on Oct. 26, 2020, for Jennifer Jones revealed no record.

Bradley Smith and Alice Smith have never been involved in an unregulated child custody transfer. Neither has Jennifer Jones.

Only make a favorable finding if the person has achieved appropriate rehabilitation, if the PAP or any household member has a criminal history or a history of any kind of abuse or violence as an offender.

This includes making a referral to an appropriate licensed professional for an evaluation and written report.

Alice Smith states that she drank alcohol excessively in the past. Alice disclosed to the home study preparer that during her college years she began experiencing a significant amount of stress and began frequently drinking alcohol. After some time, she realized that her alcohol use was affecting her school performance and sought counseling. Alice has not drunk alcohol since college. She has learned to cope with stress in healthy ways.

Alice completed a psychological evaluation with Dr. Thomas Brown, Psy.D., licensed clinical psychologist. A copy of the evaluation is on file with the agency. Dr. Brown obtained background information from Alice that included marital history, family history, employment, and parenting. He has determined that Alice uses appropriate techniques for managing stress such as meditation, journaling, and confiding in her close friends. She is a capable parent of 2 children, and he highly recommends her to be an adoptive parent.

In response to my direct question, Bradley and Jennifer indicated that they had never previously had a home study completed or began a home study process related to an adoption or for any form of foster or custodial care of a child that was not completed.

In response to my direct question, Alice indicated that she previously had a home study completed for an intercountry adoption. Alice previously adopted 1 child from Country B in June 2015 with a former spouse. Baby Town Adoption Agency initiated the prior home study on Dec. 3, 2013, and completed it on March 17, 2014.

In response to my direct questions, Bradley, Alice, and Jennifer responded “No” to the following questions:

A. Have you ever been denied as a PAP or been the subject of an unfavorable home study?

B. Have you ever begun a home study process in relation to an adoption or to any form of foster or other custodial care of a child that was not completed?

Bradley and Alice have experience parenting their adopted daughter, Ngoye, and mentor other families that are new to adoptive parenting. They also received 10 hours of in-person training from ABC Adoption Agency in accordance with 22 CFR 96.48. This covered topics such as race, losses, trauma, sexual abuse, and discipline. They also watched a 1-hour video presentation on trust and adoption and reviewed several books about intercountry adoption and parenting, including “Tools for Adoptive Families” and “Child-Centered Adoptive Parenting.”

ABC Adoption Agency will provide post-placement monitoring until the adoption is finalized. This includes home visits at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. ABC Adoption Agency will provide post-placement reports in accordance with the requirements of Country X for 1 year.

Bradley and Alice have been advised that they must meet all requirements to adopt a child from Country X. The requirements for Country X are:

• Married for over 2 years
• Between the ages of 30 and 50
• Physical and mental stability
• Net worth of at least $80,000

Bradley and Alice Smith appear to meet the requirements of Country X

At the initial interview on Dec. 1, 2020, I advised Bradley Smith, Alice Smith, and Jennifer Jones of the duty of disclosure in 8 CFR 204.311(d). I also discussed this issue during the home visit on Dec. 8, 2020. They stated that they understand that they must answer all questions truthfully and must disclose any criminal history, whether the event occurred within the United States or abroad, even if the event did not lead to any conviction, or if any conviction was expunged, sealed, pardoned, or otherwise ameliorated. I also discussed with them the obligation to disclose any other relevant information such as physical, mental, or emotional health issues, or behavioral issues. They also indicated that they understand this duty is ongoing, and that they must disclose to USCIS and to me any additional events that might occur before any child they adopt is admitted into the United States.

I also advised Bradley, Alice, and Jennifer of 8 CFR 204.311(c)(13) and (14) and 204.311(j) concerning any history of substance abuse, sexual abuse, child abuse or neglect, or family violence as an offender.

I, Anne Marie Davis, certify under penalty of perjury that I personally, and with the professional diligence reasonably necessary to protect the best interests of any child whom the applicant might adopt, conducted this home study. This included personal interviews, the home visit, and all other aspects of the investigation needed to prepare the home study. The factual statements in the home study are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I have advised the applicants of their ongoing duty of disclosure, specifically noting that they must disclose new events or information that may require them to submit an updated or amended home study. This home study was conducted in accordance with 8 CFR 204.311 and is a true and accurate copy of the home study provided to the PAPs and USCIS.

Or

I, Anne Marie Davis, certify under penalty of perjury that I personally, and with the professional diligence reasonably necessary to protect the best interests of any child whom the applicant might adopt, supervised this home study. This included personal interviews, the home visit, and all other aspects of the investigation needed to prepare the home study. The individual who conducted the home study was Lilia Ann Fitzgerald. The factual statements in the home study are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. Ms. Fitzgerald has advised the applicants of their ongoing duty to disclose new events or information that may require them to submit an updated or amended home study. This home study was conducted according to 8 CFR 204.311 and is a true and accurate copy of the home study provided to the PAPs and USCIS.

Submitted by:

Anne Marie Davis, LCSW, Licensed Clinical Social Worker Program Director, Baby Town Adoption Agency, State Y, USA. License #6677