high risk
High risk is a term used to describe a potential adoption in which the child to be adopted is placed with the adoptive parents prior to termination of the birthparents'rights. An adoption placement of a child of any age is considered to be high risk if there is a strong likelihood that a birthparent or other relative will decide (and be approved) to parent. The adoption of newborn infants is often considered high risk because one or both birthparents'consent to the adoption is not yet legally final.An adoption is considered low risk when the rights have not yet been terminated, but it is expected that they soon will be, and there is little likelihood of the child returning to birthfamily.

hold, on hold
Hold or on hold means temporarily not available for adoption. A child may be placed on hold because an adoption is pending, because a goal change is pending, because a birth relative is interested, or because the child is currently not ready for adoption.

homefinder
Title used in some jurisdictions for an adoption social worker who completes family homestudies and serves as the family's advocate in the adoption process.

homestudy
The process of assessing and preparing a family for adoption. It is used to determine the family's suitability to adopt and the type of child whose needs would be best met by that family. The homestudy includes written materials, individual or group meetings with a social worker, and education about adoption and parenting issues. Homestudy also refers to the written document, completed by a licensed agency, which is the end result of this process. Sometimes called a family profile or an adoption study, it gives a summary of the applicant's family life. This document indicates approval of the applicant for adoption and clarifies what type of child the applicant is approved to adopt. It must be updated annually. Most agencies require different homestudies for foster care and adoption.

houseparent
An employee in a group home or other facility for children or teenagers whose job involves serving in a parental role. Often, houseparents reside at the facility.