When you are adopting embryos through the Snowflakes embryo adoption program, there are two options you can choose from to fulfill the home study requirement of this program:  a traditional home study or a Snowflakes Family Evaluation (SFE).  When deciding between these two options, there are several factors to consider.  Among them are cost, the overall timeline, the adoptive family’s location and accessibility to home study providers, and whether the adoptive family may consider switching from embryo adoption to another type of adoption if their embryo adoption doesn’t result in a successful pregnancy and birth.

One benefit of the SFE is that the cost is almost always lower than that of a traditional home study.  Since only one face-to-face home visit is required and the paperwork is generally less intense, it also tends to be a faster process than that of a home study.  Third, each of our 10 Nightlight offices has multiple SFE providers who can travel to meet with families regardless of what state or country they live in, whereas home studies have to be performed by a licensed home study agency in the adoptive family’s state of residence.  It is also advantageous to a family to work with professionals who are well-trained in all things embryo adoption rather than a home study agency that is unfamiliar with this type of adoption.

There are also circumstances where it might be beneficial to complete a traditional home study instead of an SFE.  Some couples who apply with Snowflakes may already have a completed home study.  Others may find a local home study provider whose fees are lower than those associated with an SFE.  The main benefit of doing a home study is that if the adoptive couple plans to switch to another adoption program if their embryo adoption isn’t successful, this home study may be modified or updated to use for domestic, foster, or international adoption, whereas the SFE is only valid for embryo adoption.

Our Snowflakes team is always happy to discuss these options with you and help you decide the best home study option for your family.