RUSSIA - HAPS is fully licensed in Russia and is actively processing adoptions.

CHINA - We are expecting our Hague accreditation in November 2008 and expect the China program to move forward.

GUATEMALA - Because of changes in the Guatemalan adoption policy and the Hague Adoption Convention in the US, HAPS is not accepting applications at this time for the Guatemala program. Please continue to check our website for future information.

Homestudies & Adoption Placement Services (HAPS) is a non-profit, licensed New Jersey adoption agency that was founded in 1982. HAPS is a member of the National Counsel for Adoption and has focused its efforts on developing families for children who need them. Our agency provides services for both international and domestic adoptions.

HAPS has a strong belief in, and commitment to, the development and support of families. Our primary goal is to provide families for children. We believe that every child deserves, and is entitled to, the love and security of belonging to a family. With this focus, we service our clients - the adoptive family, the birthmother, and birthfather.

HAPS provides the following services:

• Adoption homestudy evaluation for NJ families adopting within NJ, other states or internationally
• Homestudy reviews for all out-of-state families who wish to adopt through HAPS, or NJ families who previously completed a homestudy by another adoption agency
• Post placement supervision and counseling for NJ families who have adopted
• Domestic adoption, and birth mother and birth father services
• Adoption court investigations as ordered by the NJ courts
• International Adoption Programs:
  • China Adoption through the China Center of Adoption Affairs (CCAA)
  • Guatemala Adoption
  • Russia Adoption

HAPS has established very successful adoption programs in these countries, which have been growing yearly. Our Program Directors work exclusively with the families and offer support during the entire process. They are all adoptive parents and this experience gives them a unique ability to relate to many of the questions that arise regarding international adoption.

Information and referrals are offered at all phases of the adoption process. Our staff can assist you in locating an adoption source that is most appropriate for you, and continue to provide you with updated information throughout the adoption process.

In order to begin the adoption process, the family must be approved with a homestudy. The homestudy is the foundation of all adoptions, and is required in every state and country. It is a written, comprehensive assessment of the adoptive family, and is a process of evaluation by a licensed or certified Social Worker employed by a licensed adoption agency.

The home study process should be a joint educative effort by prospective adoptive parents and the Social Worker to understand and explore the numerous adoption options (foreign and domestic, private and agency) and to assess what avenue may be most appropriate for the prospective adoptive parents.

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** GETTING STARTED **

In addition to starting your homestudy or homestudy review, if you are interested in adopting abroad from one of our International Adoption Programs, please first speak with our Program Directors. The specific country registration form, financial agreement, and notarized medical risk form should be completed and submitted to HAPS, along with the registration fee. For Guatemala adoptions, there are additional documents you will need to submit at this time; they are included in our Guatemala packet.

For those interested in foreign adoption, you need to additionally obtain an I-600A packet to file with your local US Immigration office (USCIS) before a foreign adoption can be completed.

Your dream of bringing a child into your family can become a reality, and we at HAPS look forward to assisting you.