Christian Family Services

Christian Family Services is a private, non-profit adoption agency, which has been licensed by the State of South Carolina as a Child Placing Agency since February 5, 1990. Our license number is SR-0000008200001-CPA. CFS provides services for birthparents and their families, adoptive parents, other agencies, private attorneys, and other persons needing such services as: counseling; educational assistance; consents/relinquishments; pre-placement investigations (home studies); post-placement investigations; background information investigations; and foster care in licensed Christian homes.

Adoption Process: Step 1: Application - The prospective adoptive family reviews all of the information on this website and/or contacts Christian Family Services and requests an information packet. After reviewing the materials, the family returns the completed Adoption Application, Response Form, and a check or money order for the non-refundable application fee of $150.00. (Additional forms must also be completed after contact with CFS has been made.) Step 2: Adoptive Home Study - An adoptive home study is also called a family assessment or pre-placement investigation. The home study is conducted by a social worker who has special training in adoption. These social workers are credentialed by the state as knowledgeable in adoption matters, and are called Certified Investigators in Adoption Matters. In South Carolina, they can work for an agency or in private practice. Adoptive families working with CFS may have their home study conducted by a CFS certified investigator, by another agency’s certified investigator, or by a certified investigator in private practice. The home study involves preparation, or training to become adoptive parents. It also involves assessment of the prospective adoptive family to be sure that they can be recommended for adoption. The certified investigator will have to review several documents such as birth certificates and medical reports. The investigator will also ask the family to complete several forms, which give information about everything from your childhood to your finances. Criminal records will have to be checked as part of the study. The adoptive home study will require at least one visit in your home. Step 3: Portfolio - The portfolio is a scrapbook or photo album that the adoptive family puts together to tell a little bit about themselves, without identifying who they are. The expectant mother looks through portfolios to select a family for her baby. It does not have to be big or fancy, but it should be an honest picture o