Adoption Services

Jewish Family Service, a non-profit corporation, is an agency of the Jewish Federation of Omaha. Our agency mission is to strengthen and preserve life in the Jewish community and the community at large through every stage of the life cycle. In support of this mission, Jewish Family Service is proud to offer adoption services to prospective adoptive parents. Our professionally licensed staff, which consists of an agency Executive Director, and an Adoption Coordinator, are skilled in acting as liaisons and personal representatives in the often-complex adoption process. Job descriptions/responsibilities of our adoption staff are available upon request.

JFS provides individualized service by completing a domestic or international home study and the necessary follow-up support. We provide flexible scheduling to accommodate your busy lifestyles. As an affiliated member of the Nebraska Adoption Agencies Association (NAAA), JFS offers the following services:

Domestic Home Studies/Post Placement Services– $1700.00*
International Home Studies/Post Placement Services- $1900.00* (provided only in conjunction with an accredited supervisory agency)

*Fee includes two post-placement visits-any additional post-placement visits billed at $150/hr.

$300 deposit due at initial intake, applied toward the total fee. Competitive rates include two post placement follow-up visits. Domestic HS generally completed in 8-12 weeks; International HS 12-16 weeks. Serving the state of Nebraska, primarily the Omaha and Lincoln communities. Individuals/Couples considered regardless of religious affiliation. Valid for one year following date of completion.

Home Study Updates– $200.00/hr. Available only for home studies originally completed through JFS, and not yet expired.
Adoption Searches- For individuals/families previously involved with JFS adoptive placement. Search services are contracted through a local agency – call JFS for more information.

Services NOT Provided by Jewish Family Service:

Although JFS is a licensed as a Child Placing Agency, we no longer provide:

Placement of children
Services to birth parents
Acceptance of relinquishment from birth parents
Finalization of adoption

Jewish Family Service’s Adoption program is not religiously oriented. Individuals/couples will be considered regardless of religion, race, or sexual orientation.

JFS Adoption Home Studies

The home study is a written report of the findings of the adoption worker who has met with the prospective adoptive parent(s) on several occasions, both individually and together. At least one meeting will occur in the prospective adoptive parent’s home. If there are other people living in the home, they also will be interviewed by the adoption worker.

In general, the following information is included in the home study:

Personal and family background-including upbringing, siblings, key events,
and what was learned from them
Significant people in the lives of the applicants
Marriage and family relationships
Motivation to adopt
Expectations for the child
Feelings about infertility (if this is an issue)
Parenting and integration of the child into the family
Family environment
Physical and health history of the applicants
Education, employment and finances-including insurance coverage
and child care plans if needed
References and criminal background clearances
Summary and social worker’s recommendation

Home studies are conducted to evaluate a prospective adoptive parent’s desire and commitment to adopt, to explore the reasons why they want to adopt, to evaluate them as prospective parents, and to provide them education about adoption. Home studies are a legal requirement in the state of Nebraska for anyone planning to pursue adoption.

Home Study Application

Medical Report

Instructions for Prospective Adoptive Parents

Home Study Contract

Release of Information

Bill of Rights

Verification of Information Received