What To Expect From The Home Study Process For Domestic Adoptions

Whether you are considering doing an agency oran adoptive family. Illnesses that are controlled by
independent adoption, one of the first things thatmedication and are not terminal or minor mental
you will have to do is to work with an agency tohealth issues that are controlled by medication and
complete a Home Study. The Home Study iscounseling typically do not affect the Home Study
comprised of information that you give to theprocess either. Terminal illnesses, current police
agency in the form of questionnaires, interviews andrecords, being on the sexual offender registry or child
forms. For many couples, this is the most nerveabuse registry are all things that would more than
racking part of the whole adoption process.likely keep you have having an approved Home
The first thing you should do is to choose an agencyStudy. Not being honest during the Home Study
that you feel comfortable with. You have to share aprocess can have a negative affect on approval as
lot of information during the Home Study processwell. If you have a police record and do not discuss it
and you need to feel good about the agency that iswith your casework, it can cause more problems in
getting all of this information. Most agencies willthe long run, even if it was just a minor incident.
hopefully try to make you feel as comfortable asThey will find any records, arrests, charges you have
possible during the process. They are not there tohad when they do the background check even if the
judge you or to give you a pass or fail grade. Theycharges were dropped, so it is best to be up front
are there to help you become a family. Theyabout everything.
recognize that in many ways it is not fair thatMany agencies also have agency specific guidelines or
adoptive families have to go through the Homeitems that they include in the Home Study. Some
Study process to become parents when they wouldagencies might include information about your religion,
not have to have a Home Study if they weren'teven including a statement of faith. They might ask
building their family through adoption.you about your views on disciplining and have a
The purpose of the Adoption Home Study Process isspecial section in the Home Study that discusses your
two fold. As a legal document, it lets the court knowdiscipline plans for your child. They might have you fill
that families have met certain state and federalout a form that states what kind of placement you
guidelines surrounding adoptive families. It also letsfeel comfortable with including Birthparent medical and
Birthparents who are choosing adoption to know thatsocial background and activity during pregnancy, such
their child will be with a loving family in a safe homeas a Birthmother who smokes during her entire
and they will be well cared for. Typically in agencypregnancy or a Birthfather whose family has a
adoptions the written Home Study that containshistory of Schizophrenia. Many agencies want a
identifying information is not shared with thestatement from you about openness and adoption
Birthparents, but non-identifying information is sharedand how you feel about continued contact with the
if they have questions. Birthparents are given a copyBirthparents, sharing pictures and letters and talking
of the Home Study in many independent adoptions.you to your child about adoption.
Although each state has its own specific guidelinesWhen doing an agency adoption, you may have to
surrounding the Home Study, most states agree ongo through a Home Study group with other couples
the same basic information to be included in thewho are currently going through the adoption Home
Home Study. This basic information includes a localStudy Process at the same time you are. The groups
and nationwide police background check (sometimesare like the educational part of the Home Study.
done by fingerprints, sometimes done by name andThey will include such topics as talking to your child
social security number), a child sexual abuse, childabout adoption, openness in adoption, meeting
abuse and sexual offender registry backgroundBirthparents, grief and loss surround infertility and
check, a physical including blood work, a TB test andhow to put together a picture profile/resume to be
a drug screen, reference letters from friends, familyshown to Birthparents. Sometimes Birthparents,
and other people and a financial form that basicallyadoptive parents and adult adoptees come and
needs to show that there is more money coming inspeak to the group about their adoption experiences
that going out. There are forms or questionnairesso that you can get information from everyone's
that cover such subjects as parenting, marriage,viewpoint.
views on adoption and your fertility process. You canThis is all the basic information that you can expect
expect to write a short autobiography and shouldto be included in your Home Study process. You may
receive a basic outline for the autobiography fromfind that the agency you use has a few additional
your agency. You will have individual interviews andthings that they will have you do. You should feel
interviews conducted as a couple. At some point, thecomfortable asking your agency questions along the
agency will conduct a home visit. During this visit youway and discussing what you need to have
will need to have working fire alarms, a firecompleted when they do the Home Visit, such as
extinguisher and you will need to show that any firechild proofing, fire extinguishers, etc. You need to
arms you own are locked and secured so that noremember that they are here to help you become a
children can get to them.family, not to judge you or stamp you with a pass or
Although the Home Study is quite extensive, it takesfail grade. Work with your agency and be open and
a lot to not be approved as an adoptive family. Minorhonest during the process. By doing these things, it
offenses that happened 20 years ago or trafficwill help your Home Study process to go smoothly
violations typically do not affect being approved asand it will be easier on you in the end.