The Adoption Home Study
Tips for Completing this Important Step in the Adoption Process
You have decided to adopt. You've explored your options and talked with your spouse and family. The next step is to complete a home study. Here's what you need to know.
For prospective adoptive parents, the home study process can seem daunting to say the least. However, if you want to adopt, it is a necessary step. So, what is the home study and what can you do to prepare for it?
In a Nutshell
In a nutshell, the home study examines your life, your family, and your home environment. In an email interview on November 9, 2007, with Resource Family Worker, Teri Kitchen, LMSW, with TFI Family Services, Inc., she explains that, “We want to know about the family dynamics. Who is there and who isn’t and why.”If your family has unique circumstances such as a grandparent moved in, or you have a blended step-family, these are situations that need to be explained in your home study.
Further, they will want to know about your childhood, your religious background, educational level, previous significant relationships and marriages, and child-rearing philosophies. Teri explains that the worker will want to know how your family handles stress, and how your family will be able to adapt to the changes that another child will bring to your life. Even sharing what you do for fun is an important aspect in obtaining a clear picture of who you are as a family.
The Paperwork
Ahhh … paperwork. Who loves paperwork, right? Many refer to this part of the process as a “paper pregnancy”. Although the amount of paperwork that a home study requires seems overwhelming, the only real way to handle it is to get busy. On the plus side, however, a home study will not take nine months to complete and it is worth it in the end.
Here is a list of the documents you will need:
- Training Certificate – many states require all prospective adoptive parents to complete a parent training course. Your adoption agency will be able to tell you what the requirements are for your state.
- Background Checks – everyone living in the household (in some states including children ten years and older) will need to have thorough background checks completed.
- Proof of Income – pay stubs, recent tax return, other financial records.
- Living Expenses – you may be required to fill out a budget sheet.
- Health Assessments -- for each member living in the household.
- Marriage Licenses
- Divorce Decrees
- Letters of Reference – states and agencies vary, but generally you will be asked to provide 3-5 references with the majority being from friends and acquaintances rather than family members.
Home Study Survival Tips
- Answer the profile and social worker questions as accurately and concisely as possible.
- Complete the paperwork and gather needed information in a timely manner.
- Make copies for your own files – this way if something gets lost in the shuffle you will be able to quickly replace it.
- Remember that the home study is a process, it takes time.
And Finally . . .
The home study is an emotional and private experience, and the whole process can be intimidating at times. Your home study worker knows and understands that they are getting into some personal areas and that it can be difficult to talk about certain things. However, as Teri says, “We also know that is how families are – it’s not what happens that is as important as how it was handled.”
One final piece of advice: relax. Soon this step will be completed and you can move onto what really matters – bringing your new son or daughter home.
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Adoption Placement Coordinators
