Home Study
The home study consists of interviews with the individuals in the home and home visits. The adoptive applicants will be required to submit a written autobiography, medical report and physical examination, financial statement, criminal history and child abuse clearances, in addition to several other forms. All forms are provided by the agency. The home study must be conducted and approved by the agency.
Source: http://www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
Child Profile
A comprehensive summary of the child's life history
Source: http://www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
Placement
The physical relocation of a child into a pre-adoptive living situation. When placement occurs without termination of the biological parents' rights it is referred to as a "legal risk placement".
Source: http://www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
Supervision
The period after a child is placed with a family and before the adoption is finalized. During this period, the supervising agency maintains regular contact with the child and family to provide supportive services, report on the progress of the adoption and make recommendations as to whether or not the adoption should be finalized.
Source: http://www.adoptpakids.org/AdoptionTerminology.aspx
Finalization
The last legal step in the adoption process. Only after finalization do the adoptive parents have legal rights and responsibilities for the child.