• Community Resource Assessment

A detailed, place-specific assessment of the availability and suitability, or lack thereof, of a variety of resources to support a child’s (re)integration into a community. The report may address medical, mental health, occupational, educational or other specialized services that the child, or their caregiver, requires in order to live safely and/or develop appropriately. The assessment also notes risks present in the community, as applicable.

• Criminal Background/ Child Abuse Registry Check

An official report from the country of request, when available. (Background checks are typically included in requests for home studies.)

• Coordination of DNA Testing/Genetic Profile, Drug Testing, or other Lab Services

Coordination to locate and liaise with country-specific facilities that provide requested testing. Includes coordination and communication with individuals for whom samples are taken, and arrangement for results to be shared with requesting entity.*

• Document Tracing (birth, death, etc.)

Searching for, and obtaining copies of, any number of documents: birth certificates, death certificates, marriage certificates, school records, adoption records, or other. May also include location of documents to support allegations of abuse, domestic violence or trafficking, including ospital records and arrest records. (Sufficient information must be provided with referral.).

• Home Safety Assessment

An in-person walk through of a family’s home to establish the structural and physical safety of the home and, in some cases, to verify information gathered from virtual home assessments. The home safety assessment does not include any interviews with caregivers and is not a substitute for assessing the suitability of a home for the placement of a child.

• Home Study for Custody, Reunification or Visitation – International                           

An assessment completed with a non-custodial parent, relative or other kin to determine if they are interested, able, and appropriate to care for, and assume custody of that child. Includes information about the caretaker as well as the living environment, financial stability and other applicable information. 

• Home Study for Parental Custody, Reunification or Visitation – Interstate           

Home study completed on a non-custodial parent to determine if they are interested, able and appropriate to care for, and resume custody of that child. Includes information about the parent as well as the living environment, financial stability and other applicable information.

• Home Study Addendum or Update                                                                                                         

An updated report on a previously completed home study assessment that is over one year old (update), or that requires supplementary information (addendum). The report will cover any significant changes to the family situation or location.

• Facilitation of Cross-Border Family Team Meetings, Legal Consultation, Visitation, or Court Appearances

Coordination with family members outside the U.S. to support participation in meetings and/or court hearings related to permanency planning for a child. This includes ensuring that the family member understands what to expect, helping to prepare the relative to be an active participant, assisting with logistics, and being part of the meeting/hearing as applicable to facilitate communication and understanding.

• Family and Professional Interviews for Verification of Abuse or Trafficking

Sworn statements by individuals who know the client in their professional capacity as a service provider and/or relatives supporting allegations of domestic violence, abuse or neglect, or trafficking.

• Child Welfare Check

A brief written report on a visit to the home of a child when there is no immediate concern about, allegation or suspicion of abuse or neglect. The report will cover the child’s health, basic safety and well-being (school enrollment, access to services, adjustment to the new country, etc.)

• Post Placement Follow-Up

Routine check on a child who was placed with a parent or relative in another state or country, including a brief written report as to the child’s health, safety and well-being, and adjustment to their new environment. 

• Protective Service Alert

A report to local social services or law enforcement about a child in immediate danger of abuse or neglect.

• Psychological Assessment(Coordination)

Coordination of a clinical assessment completed by a licensed Psychologist to assess a potential caregiver’s ability to serve as an appropriate caregiver of that child.

• Reference Reports on Prospective Adoptive Parents

A write-up of interviews conducted with personal references of potential adoptive parents. The report is provided to the requesting social service agency or adoption agency. (This is a country-specific service.)  

• Reintegration Services

A package of services available for children who may be placed with relatives in a country of origin, or family’s country of origin.

Pre-Departure Planning:

Home Study: An assessment with caregivers and household members to assess the safety and suitability of caregiver’s home.

Community Resource Assessment: a community-specific report that identifies potential risks as well as local resources. The child-specific assessment can be used to support immigration cases, or to assess available community supports. If placement occurs, it forms the basis of a reintegration service plan.

Reunification and Reception Services:

Document tracing: Where applicable, support obtaining original documents from home country or supporting the process of obtaining travel documentation.

Travel Coordination: Support arranging travel to, and around, the foreign country for visitation or placement of a child. Includes local social work support to arrange family transportation for reception and initial reunification logistics.

Post-Return Services:

Post Placement Services:  The social worker will make regular visits to the home to report on the child’s adjustment, enrollment in services and other follow up as indicated in the reintegration plan.

• Relative Tracing

Locating a family member to notify him/her of a family matter, including the placement of a relative child in care, termination of parental rights, re-establishing contact, or to assess their interest in moving forward with other ISS-USA services. (Additional referrals are required for further services, including Sharing Legal Documents, Home Studies, or Other services)

• Sharing of Legal Documents                                                                                                     

Sharing a variety of court documents such as Temporary Restraining Order, TPR or Notice of Child in Care.** If the person is found, the documents will be delivered to the person if they accept them. ISS-USA will provide confirmation of the date the documents were delivered. If additional documentation is required, please provide instruction to ISS-USA when making the referral. (Legal documents must be provided to ISS-USA in the person’s native language).   **Serving documents in countries who are signatories to Hague 1965 requires a serving process through the appropriate Central Authority.

• Travel Coordination for Visitation or Placement

Coordination with the child’s case worker to arrange for travel to, and around, the foreign country for visitation or placement of a child. Includes guidance related to travel documentation and planning for time in country, and support from international partners. Includes coordination with family in country.

• Virtual Home Study/Post Placement                                                                                           

When an in-person assessment is not feasible or safe, a virtual assessment may be completed with permission granted by the requestor. Interview content will be the same as in-person assessments, but will be conducted via videoconference. A tour of the family home will also be completed virtually. (A virtual home study must be accompanied by an in-person home safety assessment once it is safe for all parties involved)

• Other

 ISS-USA may be able to provide assessment or service support in other areas on a case-by-case basis. Services may be related to obtaining documents, completing assessments or coordinating specialized services.

• Protective Service Alert

For an adult who is suspected to be in imminent danger of abuse or neglect in a foreign country. We will alert local law enforcement and/or adult protective services that there is a threat to a vulnerable adult in their jurisdiction. This is a similar service to calling an Elder Abuse Hotline in the USA. You will rarely receive a report for a PSA service. We will ensure that the appropriate adult protection authority has been notified. The outcome of the case is up to the local jurisdiction (If you would like a formal report, please request a vulnerable adult welfare check)

• Vulnerable Adult Welfare Check

A check on a vulnerable adult in another country when there is no immediate allegation, or suspicion, of abuse or neglect or concern about the adult’s well-being. You will receive a brief written report as to the adult’s health, safety and well-being. If you have specific concerns about the adult’s condition please include that in the referral form. Please note that the adult may refuse to participate in the check.

It involves the process of identifying relatives/family members and if they are willing and able to take care of the child. After that, we start the process of reunification. ISS-USA offers home studies, family tracing, travel coordination, and Technical Assistance for children seeking to return to their home country.

Yes, ISS-USA provides international family tracing services to locate relatives abroad and assess their suitability for reunification. A successful outcome of this service begins with how much information we have in the first place. The more information we have on relatives such as FULL name, phone number, last contact etc. the quicker we can find them and start the reunification process.

Required documents vary depending on the country, the citizenship status of the person, and whether the relocation is may include passports, visas, and travel permits. It depends on the country they are traveling for visitation or long term placement/relocation. ISS-USA provides document tracing service and can help with consular coordination, communication and work with our partner countries to help with this.

ISS-USA can conduct a community resource assessment when planning for an international reunification to assess what services are available in the area. The community resource assessment is specific to the needs of the child and family, and will provide contact information for recommended services that can be mobilized upon the child’s return. ISS-USA has helped child welfare agencies obtain beds and other furniture, coordinate tuition payments, and facilitate other specialized services in other countries to respond to case plans and ensure family separation is not prolonged unnecessarily.  ISS-USA is not able to provide ongoing case management in the new country but can provide post placement reporting and referrals.

ISS-USA can provide home assessments with maternal and paternal relatives in over 120 countries. Home studies and other family-based assessments are completed by local professionals and use case-specific information to evaluate the relative’s safety and suitability to care for all children included in the referral. ISS-USA can also advise on issues related key documentation, help obtain documents and coordinate travel for placement taking into account the needs of each child. ISS-USA can also facilitate participation of overseas family in court hearings or family team meetings.