Mancuso homestudy for Masha (1997) - Nancy Simpronio
RECOMMENDATION OF FAMILY ADOPTION CENTER
RECOMMENDATION OF MR. MATTHEW A. MANCUSO
PASSPORT NUMBER: XXXXXXXXX
Through a very thorough home study process, I am happy to favorably recommend Mr.
Matthew A. Mancuso, a U.S. Citizen who resides at 158 Shearer Road, New Kensington.
PA 15068 be approved for adoption through Russia. I recommend approval for Mr.
Mancuso to adopt one child between the ages of tive and six,either male or female. I also
recommend Mr. Mancuso for the adoption of a child with a medical special need if he so
chooses.
Mr. Mancuso is very capable, willing and well-prepared to provide a stable and loving home.
He has begun to make preparations for the arrival of a child. Mr. Mancuso is prepared to
help his child develop an educated awareness and understanding of Russian culture and will
help the child to identify with his/her heritage. He is committed to raising a child.
I have a Master's degree in Social Work and over fourteen years experience doing
adoptions. I have the authority to conduct home studies for Family Adoption Center, a
licensed adoption agency/home study agency in the State of Pennsylvania.
This agency hereby agrees to provide post-placement reports for a period of three (3) years.
HOME STUDY ~ MATTHEW ALAN MANCUS0
PREPARED NOVEMBER 20, 1997
Matthew Alan Mancuso - Born July 3, 1958
158 Shearer Road
New Kensington, PA 15068
Home phone - (xxx) xxx-xxxx
United States Citizen
Passport Number: xxxxxxxx
This home study is being preformed at the request of Mr. Mancuso. He is in the process
of adopting a child through an international adoption. The placing agency is a licensed
agency in New Jersey, Families Through lnternational Adoption. 'The phone is (609) 321·
0777 and the contact is Ms. Jeannene Smith.
The home study is being prepared by Family Adoption Center, a licensed adoption agency.
The interviews were conducted by a Master's degree licensed social worker with over
fourteen years of adoption experience. The study was conducted in the office of Family
Adoption Center and in Mr. Mancuso’s home. It consisted of a written application, a
medical statement from his physician, child abuse and criminal record checks, three
reference letters, financial and income tax statements and intensive interviews with Mr.
Mancuso.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Mr.Mancuso is a Caucasian male of Italian heritage. He is five feet, seven inches tall with
a medium complexion, dark hair and hazel eyes. He weighs 145 pounds with an athletic
build.
Through a very thorough home study process, I am happy to favorably recommend Mr.
Matthew A. Mancuso, a U.S. Citizen who resides at 158 Shearer Road, New Kensington,
PA 15068 be approved for adoption through Russia. l recommend approval for Mr.
Mancuso to adopt. one child between the age of five and male or female. l also
recommend Mr. Mancuso for the adoption of a child with a medical special need if he so
chooses.
Mr. Mancuso is very capable, willing and well-prepared to provide a stable and loving home.
He has begun to make preparations for the arrival of a child. Mr. Mancuso is prepared to
help his child develop an educated awareness and understanding of Russian culture and will
help the child to identify with his/her heritage. He is committed to raising a child.
I have a Master' s degree in Social Work and over fourteen years experience doing
adoptions. I have the authority to conduct borne studies for Family Adoption Center, a
licensed adoption agency/home study agency in the State of Pennsylvania.
This agency hereby agrees to provide post-placement report: for a period of three (3) years.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Mr. Muncuso was born on July 3, 1958 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is the second of four
children. is the oldest with and being the younger siblings. They are two years apart from each other.
Mr. Mancuso’s mother was a registered nurse and his father owned and operated an Italian
bread business. When Mr. Mancuso was a toddler the family moved to Verona, PA. Mr.
Mancuso appears to have very positive memories of his childhood which included playing
with his siblings and having extended family members only a few blocks away from their
home.
Mr. Mancuso stated his home life was typical for children in the 60‘s and the family
considered themselves middle class.
As a child, Mr. Mancuso enjoyed taking art classes along with music lessons. He was an
accomplished accordion player as a young child due to his grandfathers influence. As a
teenager he played the organ, trumpet, guitar and the drums. Mr. Mancuso played the
drums for a high school rock group with his cousin and brother. They successfully had one
paying job before breaking up the band.
Holidays and family gatherings were always important as well as fun events for the Mancuso
family.
During Mr. Mancuso’s preteen and teenage years the family made a series of moves due to
his father's involvement in various businesses. There was a time they moved out of
Pennsylvania to Chicago. They did return to Pennsylvania after several months. Mr.
Mancuso slated that he and siblings adapted to the moves and learned to make friends and
navigate new schools and communities during this time.
Mr. Mancuso stated he enjoyed his childhood and has fond memories of his youth.
Presently. Mr. Mancuso‘s xxxxxx is a healthy active woman with her own business. She is
xxxxxxxxxxx years old and started a pet kennel. She has also published a book on dog training.
xxxxxxxx works with xxxxxxxxx in the pet business. xxxxxxxxxxx and xxxxxxxxxxx also live
close to them. Mr. Mancuso's xxxxxxxx died suddenly in 1986 due to brain aneurysm and that
was a great loss for everyone.
Mr. Mancuso stated that his strengths are his ability to think logically, he is resourceful and
creative. He stated that he views himself as being loyal and an easy-going personality. He
stated he feels at times his shyness gets in the way of with new people. He
prefers to spend time with long time friends or his family.
He enjoys cooking for friends, playing with his computer, working on his investments.
Riding his motorcycle is also a favorite pastime.
MARRIAGE
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Mrs. Mancuso completed high school and Mr. Mancuso was offered a better position at the
plant. This enabled them to return to Verona and be close to her parents. At the same
time, Mr. Mancuso had stopped taking classes due to the added responsibilities of being a
parent and the money needed to pay for tuition. Kobler Industries proposed a tuition plan
for Mr. Mancuso and he returned to college majoring in mechanical engineering.
Mr. Mancuso has very strong memories about being a father to and enjoyed his
role. He continued to grow with responsibilities in the company and receive promotions.
In 1984 he and Mrs. Mancuso built their home where he still resides. He and
appreciated the rural setting while Mrs, Mancuso did not participate in the various
adventures they would take such as walking in the woods behind their home or visiting the
neighbor's horse.
When xxxxxxx was ten years the differences between Mr. and Mrs. Mancuso became more
apparent. He stated he was always more of a 'homebody' while she preferred the social
scene. Mr. Mancuso stated he requested a divorce.
The divorce was finalized in March of l987 and they had been married almost eleven years.
Mr. Mancuso remains positive about the marriage until the end. He immersed himself in
his work to cope with the loss. By mutual agreement, Mrs. Mancuso returned no Verona
to be near her family and to raise xxxxxxxxx. Mr. Mancuso paid generous support and had
weekend visits with his daughter.
As xxxxxxxxx entered her teenage years the weekend visits became fewer and fewer. She
wanted to be near her school friends and participate in activities with them. At first, Mr.
Mancuso would invite a friend or two to spend the weekend with them however xxxxxxx
spent her time with her friends rather than her father. As she got older the closeness began
to fade and by the time she graduated high school they only saw each other on birthdays
and holidays.
This lack of relationship has been very difficult for Mr. Mancuso and he feels strongly that
he will always be available to xxxxxxxx. He paid for her education at a culinary school. At
this time she is twenty years old
ADOPTION
Mr. Mancuso wants to adopt a child as he strongly misses the parenting role that he had
with his daughter. He very much wants to provide a strong home life for a child in need.
Along with his desire to he a parent and his travels throughout the world have given him
an appreciation of other cultures and the ability to help a child without a home.
Mr. Mancuso had spent considerable amount of time researching adoption and discussing
adoption with adoptive parents for the past six months.
He has discussed adopting a child with his family and they are supportive.
THE CHILD
Mr. Mancuso would like tn adopt a girl between the ages of five and six of the Caucasian
race. He is willing to consider a child with minor disabilities that can be corrected. He is
also willing to take a child diagnosed with learning disabilities.
Mr. Mancuso feels that as a single parent adopting a young child and not an infant would
be the best situation. He would prefer a daughter since he has experience with parenting
a girl as he did with his daughter. He understands the adjustments that will be necessary
in his life and he is prepared to make the changes to accommodate a young child.
Mr. Mancuso also understands that adoption brings challenges and issues that parents who
give birth to a child do not have to manage. He is willing to seek professional assistance
if necessary to aid him with the placement. Mr. Mancuso is eager to become a parent and
has considered making changes in his work schedule to spend more time with the child he
adopts. Some of his work he can do from his home office along with computer and fax
support. He has already spoken to a local child care center that can provide extended day
coverage while he is working.
RELIGION
Mr. Mancuso is of the Catholic faith. He no longer is an active member of a church at this
time. He understands the importance of exposing a child to a religious faith and plans on
doing this with the child he adopts.
EDUCATION / EMPLOYMENT / MILITARY SERVICE
Mr. Mancuso never served in the military.
Mr. Mancuso attended public grade and high school. He stated he has very fond memories
of bot.h grade and high school.
In high school Mr. Mancuso played football and was on the wrestling and track teams. He
also was a member of the chess club. He took academic course and would take the higher
level math and science classes, often he was ahead of his other class mates. His grades were
above average and upon graduation had taken calculus, physics, nuclear science, chemistry,
biology and anatomy. At that time Mr. Mancuso was planning to attend college and
becoming a chiropractor.
During high school Mr. Mancuso began working at the same company where he is now
employed with the janitorial department. His job consisted of sweeping the floor, emptying
the trash and scrubbing the bathrooms. Eventually he worked with other departments, the
weld shoe, the machine shop. the paint shop, the maintenance shop and the parts
warehouse. He saved his money and before he graduated high school Mr. Mancuso had
bought and paid for his first car, a used 1969 Firebird.
Mr. Mancuso is close to his nearest neighbors including one with four daughters.
Any child he would adopt would have their own room. Currently the mom is a mix-match
of furniture which he plans on replacing with appropriate furnishings for a young girl.
PETS
Mr. Mancuso does not own any pets. Mr. Mancuso did state that he considers himself
sharing the neighbor's cat as the cat visits Mr. Mancuso on a regular basis and often Ieaves
'gifts' for him.
CRIMINAL RECORD/CHILD ABUSE CHECKS
Mr. Mancuso submitted the required criminal records and child abuse checks for review.
Both were negative and are included with this report.
REFERENCES
Mr. Mancuso submitted three references from friends and family members who have known
him for years and can testify to his personality and ability to parent, All the references were
very positive and favorable to Mr. Mancuso. All the references stated they believed Mr.
Mancuso should be permitted to adopt. The references are included with this report.
MEDICAL
Mr. Mancuso is under the care of Dr. Perviz Heyat of the New Kensington Health Center.
Dr. Heyat examined Mr. Mancuso on July 14, 1997 and determined he is in good general
health with no problems to indicate that he should not be an adoptive parent. Mr.
Mancuso's medical history and physician‘s statement are included with this report.
FINANCIAL STATUS
Mr. Mancuso's 1996 income tax return showed a total income of $111,699.He
included a financial breakdown of his assets and expenses. He carries no debts as his home ·
is paid off and has no car payments He has a four wheel drive vehicle and a motorcycle.
Mr. Mancuso carries medical insurance through his employer that provides comprehensive
coverage with Blue Cross/Blue Shield/Select Blue program. He has life insurance along
with significant pension and financial portfolio savings.
His employer Kobler Thompson Corporation submitted a letter stating Mr. Mancuso's
current salary is $115,000.00 per year.
The addition of a child to Mr. Mancuso's income will not be a hinderance financially to Mr.
Manecuso. He lives well within his means and has significant holdings for his future.
All financial information is included with this report.
SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATION
It is the recommendation of this licensed social worker that Mr. Matthew Mancuso be
approved for the international adoption of a young child.
He is a caring, loving man who misses the parenting rule that he had with his daughter. He
is`a highly moral individual and will provide not just a financially stable home but the ability
to parent a child with values; He is committed to having a family and is willing to make the
necessary adjustments to his home and to his lifestyle to insure that the best interests of a
child are paramount.
Mr. Mancuso understands that at times as a single parent he may require the assistance of
other support people. His mother and sister are willing and able to assist. One situation
Mr. Mancuso needs to establish is to have a will written and provide guardians for his child
he adopts. He has given this matter some thought and plans on asking long time friends of
his who he admire: for their parenting skills.
Mr. Mancuso is committed tn contacting professionals if needed for help with either
parenting or adoption issues.
Family Adoption Center is willing to conduct the required supervisory visits along with being
A local support for Mr. Mancuso during the adoption process.
Nancy Simproni ACSW/LSW
Director
PA License # 0056l·E