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Connecting Hearts Adoption Services is a licensed agency in the State of Florida. Our main focus is your domestic or second parent adoption home study. We know the home study can be an overwhelming experience for an adoptive family, but it doesn’t have to be! We are here to help and support you throughout your journey.
Because the adoption home study is our specialty and all we do, unlike a “full service” agency, your home study is our ONLY focus. We are able to complete most studies in less than 30 days. If you have something going on that is urgent, let us know and we can finish your study sooner if need be! Once we receive your initial application, we will call you and set an appointment to meet. Please call us at 407.733.8642 or send us an email info@heartadopt.com with any questions you may have while navigating your home study!
Our services include:
• Free initial consultations
• Domestic & Second Parent Adoption Home Studies
• Pre-adoption and post-adoption supportive services
• Interstate Adoption Services • Referrals to agencies/attorneys/consultants upon request
• Post Placement Visits & Reports • Resources for adoption grants
Connecting Hearts Adoption Services is an honored recipient of the Human Rights Campaign’s Seal of Recognition. We are also proud to be associated with Resolve, the National Infertility Association and the Florida Adoption Council.
“Amy made the daunting thoughts of the home study disappear with her continued communication via phone or email. When she steps in your house you automatically feel a sense of relief. It was as if we had invited a friend over to chat.”
Amy Imber is the Executive Director of Connecting Hearts Adoption Services and has worked in the adoption field for over 15 years. She has been honored to be a small part of more than 1,200 adoption journeys. She has time and time again seen how powerful and amazing adoption can be. To Amy, it is an honor to be a small part in this intimate time in the life of a family. Being a part of people’s desire to become parents and seeing dreams come true is the gift Amy’s clients give to her. Amy is married and the mother of two boys who make sure life is never boring!
Ashley
Ashley is our Social Worker living near the beach…Tampa is her home! Ashley has extensive experience with domestic and international adoptions, working with both birth parents and adoptive families. Ashley brings an uplifting attitude and encouraging spirit to the families she work works with. Ashley knows how powerful adoption is and how it transforms a family.
Edna
Edna is a licensed mental health counselor and lives in Jacksonville. She has worked in the adoption field for almost a decade. Edna enjoys working with families and preparing them for adoption. Edna loves to educate those who are unsure of where to start in the journey towards parenthood. She believes adoption education is key to any successful adoption. Edna is married and has three children who keep her laughing every day.
Alice
Alice is our Social Worker that has made Fort Lauderdale her home. Alice’s counseling background and experiences help her clients feel relaxed and comfortable. Alice brings compassion and enthusiasm to her work…which is evident to our clients who have the privilege of working with her!
Michele
Michele is our Social Worker living in “the swamp.” Yes, Michele makes Gainesville, Florida, her home along with her husband and 2 children. Michele has years of experience working in advocacy and adoption. Michele’s gentle nature and encouragement is invaluable to the families she is honored to work with.
Kristi
Kristi is another Social Worker joining Amy in the Central Florida area. Kristi has made Winter Park her home. Kristi is married and she and her husband have two daughters that keep them busy! To simply say that she is thankful for adoption doesn’t even begin to describe Kristi’s passion. Her excitement is contagious and her encouragement is appreciated to those who are lucky enough to welcome Kristi to their home.
Connecting Hearts is here to make this process easy. Our goal is to make the home study visit informative, educational and comfortable! We also know you may have many questions about the adoption process. We are here to answer your questions and listen to your concerns. Once we receive your initial application, we will call you and set an appointment to meet.
Our fees are as follows:
$100 application fee - due prior to home visit with initial application
$1,000 domestic home study (due at home visit)
$500 study update* - required if study was initially completed 12 months prior (due at home visit)
$200 post placement visit (per visit/due at each visit to your home)
*a home study update is required if your initial home study was completed 12 months prior and a child has not yet been placed in your home for the purpose of adoption.
Your family may be eligible for the Adoption Tax Credit. For the year 2011, the maximum adoption tax credit is $13,360. It is recommended you speak with your tax adviser to determine if you are eligible for this benefit. Click here for more information.
Connecting Hearts Adoption Services is accredited by the Central Florida Better Business Bureau and a proud member of the Florida Adoption Council. Should you have any questions, please call us at 407.733.8642 or email us: info@heartadopt.com
Welcome/Checklist – You are ready to get started! Make sure to print this first as it gives you instructions as to how to complete each document.
1. Application
2. Self Study
3. Reference Letters (5 total – 4 friends/1 relative)
4. Employment Verification
5. Financial Form/ Family Budget
6. Medical Report
7. Pediatrician Report (if applicable)
8. Health Insurance & Guardianship
9. Required Background Checks
10.Affidavit of Good Moral Character
11. Copies of the following documents:
•drivers license
•birth certificate OR passport
•marriage license
•divorce decree – if applicable
•previous year tax form 1040
•pet vaccination records – if applicable
•certificate of naturalization- if applicable
*Home Study Update Checklist/ Instructions – A home study is valid for 1 year. An update of your home study is required if your initial home study was completed more than 12 months ago.
*Florida Interstate Compact Application - required only if your PLACING agency is not in Florida
After your child has been placed with you for adoption, post placement visits/reports are often required. The number and frequency of these visits will be determined by your placing entity. If completing a traditional domestic adoption these reports become a part of the court’s file, prior to the finalization of your adoption.
Connecting Hearts Adoption Services visits you and your child in your home. We want to know how everyone is adjusting. Becoming a parent is the most rewarding experience and also the most challenging. We are here to support you!
Should you have any questions, please call us at 407.733.8642 or email us: info@heartadopt.com
How long does it take to complete an adoption home study? Provided that you are able to provide us with all your paperwork in a timely fashion, we are able to complete our studies in 30 days or less! If you need your home study completed sooner, let us know.
How long is a home study valid? A home study is valid for one year from the date it is completed.
Is a home study completed by Connecting Hearts valid with any agency or attorney? YES! A home study completed by Connecting Hearts is valid with any agency or attorney throughout the state of Florida as well as any agency or attorney across the United States!
Is there an income requirement in order to be eligible to adopt? No. You do not have to be rich to become an adoptive parent. You need to be financially stable.
What can we expect when you come to our home? When we arrive, we will ask you for a tour of your home. Once that is done, we will sit down and talk! Easy as that. The home study visit is meant to be informative, educational and comfortable. Our goal is that when we leave you feel excited, inspired, hopeful and prepared to forge ahead on your adoption journey.
Are there any adoption support groups in Florida? Yes! Please let us know if you are interested in support while navigating your adoption. We can get you headed in the right direction. The support you can receive is invaluable…
Where in Florida does Connecting Hearts travel? We have clients from Gainesville to Miami and everywhere in between! We travel between Orlando, Ocala, Gainesville, Daytona, Melbourne, Lakeland, Tampa, Clearwater, Jupiter, West Palm Beach, Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Miami. We serve North Florida, Central Florida and South Florida. We have clients across Orange County, Seminole County, Marion County, Alachua County, Volusia County, Brevard County, Lake County, Hillsborough County, Palm Beach County, Broward County and Miami-Dade County.
“There is undoubtedly no question that from the time you open your home to Amy and her agency, Connecting Hearts Adoption, she is there to support you. Amy is efficient, a wealth of information and readily available. She provided information to us regarding the adoption process that I would not even think to ask! She has always been available to answer any of my questions in moments of doubt or panic or excitement. My husband and I feel very fortunate that Connecting Hearts was recommended to us. Amy made what can be perceived as the most difficult part of adoption process, the easiest!” ~ Danny & Patty, Lithia, FL
“I am an adoption attorney with almost 30 years of experince in the field and have had occasion to work with many adoption professionals. I recommend Amy Imber as a dedicated and knowledgeable professional who conducts home studies in Florida in a timely and efficient manner. Amy stays abreast of the law as it relates to adoption and home studies, and is well regarded in our field. Both my agency and my law firm have worked with Amy in the past and feel very confident in her work.” ~Jeanne T. Tate, Esq. Owner of Heart of Adoptions, Inc., Tampa, Florida
“Amy possesses that rare combination of skills that allows her to be highly professional & knowledgeable while also making her clients feel comfortable and at ease, as if they are in the company of a friend. When I refer a client to Amy, I know that they will not only have a positive experience, but that they will receive an efficient and thorough home study. Amy also makes it a point to stay current on all legal and procedural matters that may impact her clients in any way. I greatly value being able to whole-heartedly recommend Amy’s services to my clients.” ~Nicole Witt, Executive Director, The Adoption Consultancy, Brandon, Florida
“Amy was obviously on our side from the moment we met her. Not once did we feel like we were being judged. Instead we were informed and encouraged and because of that were able to make wise decisions that led to the speedy adoption of our son. Amy was professional at every point but went beyond professional obligation and let us know that we were valued as clients, parents and as a result, friend.” ~Wanda & Jerry, Orlando, Florida
“Amy made the daunting thoughts of the home study disappear with her continued communication via phone or email. When she steps in your house you automatically feel a sense of relief. It was as if we had invited a friend over to chat.” ~Jenn & Gary, Haines City, Florida
“I highly recommend Amy for adoption home studies in Florida! Amy was a great support while navigating my adoption journey. Amy was always available to talk and put me at ease, even when I doubted myself and the process. Thanks to Amy’s guidance, I now have a beautiful daughter to love.” ~Rosa, Boynton Beach, Florida
“Stepping out into the mostly unknown world of adoption was an exciting, though scary, venture for us. We didn’t know how we’d be judged and whether those making their assessment of us would look at us with an open mind and an open heart. All we wanted was for someone to see us for who we are and make the clear objective decision of whether we could provide a loving, healthy, stable and nurturing home for a child in need of a home and a family. Amy Imber and Connecting Hearts Adoption Services did just that. She came to us with an open mind and an open heart, always keeping the best interest of a child in mind, while treating us with consideration, respect and dignity. The people at Connecting Hearts are more than open hearts, they are angels. And, for us, they opened a door for a gift of love and family that touches and renews us every day. Thank you!” ~Charles & Keith (…and Madeline), Miami Beach, Florida
“Amy Imber is a trusted, professional resource for many of our Florida clients, as well as my staff. Amy guides adoptive parents through the home study process with compassion and efficiency. I continually receive feedback from clients, as well as my staff, that Amy goes above and beyond. With Amy, I can always count on a very thorough home study and a very smooth process for our clients, and for that I am thankful.” ~Kristin A.F. Yellin, Esq. with Adoption Network Law Center, Lake Forest, California
We welcome your phone call or email anytime! Our number is 407.733.8642 and our email address is info@heartadopt.com. Or send us a message below!
9373 wickham way | orlando, fl 32836
office: 407.733.8642 | fax: 407.358.5016 | info@heartadopt.com
©2010 Connecting Hearts | All Rights Reserved | Web Design: Sweet Pea Design Studio
Adoption Services are provided to prospective parents regardless of race, age, sex, marital status, physical disability, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation or income.
