Nuts & Bolts of Home Studies
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Last Updated: Friday, 24 July 2009
Page 1 of 2
Home Study is required in Adoption:
Prospective Parents for additional information (760) 356-5565
Home Study is required in Adoption:
Once prospective parents apply to adopt a child (whether they apply to an agency,
attorney, facilitator, or directly to the court in an independent adoption), the laws of all 50
States and the District of Columbia require that the applicants undergo a "home study."
Details of the Home Study:
This process involves education, preparation, and the gathering of information about the
prospective parents. Ideally, the home study helps to build a partnership between the
adoption social worker and the applicants. Individuals who seek to adopt may face the
entire process with tender egos and mounting anxiety that they will not be “approved.”
Armed with accurate information, however, prospective parents can face the home study
experience with confidence and the excitement that accompanies the prospect of
welcoming a child into the family.
Nuts and Bolts of the Home Study:
There is no set format adoption agencies use to conduct home studies. The agency must
follow the general regulations of their State, but they have the freedom to develop their
own application packet, policies, and procedures within those regulations. Usually
agency staff members are glad to answer any questions and to guide applicants through
the process. The home study itself is a written report of the findings of the social worker
that has met with the applicants, individually and together, usually at the social worker's
office. At least one meeting will occur in the applicant's home. If there are other people
living in the home, they also will be interviewed by the social worker. In general, the
following information is included in the home study: Personal and family backgrounds
including upbringing, siblings, key events, and what was learned from them. Additionally
prospective adoptive parents should consider submitting information on people who have
a significant impact on the lives of the applicants, which would include all marriage and
family relationships.
Requirements for adoptive Parents:
The following sections will describe typical information or activities that will be required
of families who want to adopt.
Autobiographical Statement:
The autobiographical statement is essentially the story of your life. Most agencies have a
set of guidelines that detail the kind of information they require to assist you in writing
theautobiography, and others have the worker assist you directly.
You may be asked to describe who reared you and their style of child rearing, how many
brothers and sisters you have, and where you are in the birth order. Your statement may
answer many questions.
Were you close to your parents and siblings when you were a child; are you close now;
how
much contact do you have with them? What are some successes or failures that you have
had?
What educational level have you reached; do you plan to further your education; are you
happy with your educational attainments; what do you think about education for a child?
What is your employment status; your employment history; do you have plans to change
employment; do you like your current job? If you are married, there will be questions about
your marriage.
These may cover how you met, how long you dated before you married, how long you have
been married, what attracted you to each other, what your spouse's strengths and
weaknesses are, and the issues on which you agree and disagree in your marriage. Others
may ask how you make decisions, solve problems, settle arguments, communicate, express
feelings, and show affection. If you were married before, there will be questions about that
marriage.
If you are single, there will be questions about your social life and how you anticipate
integrating a child into it, as well as questions about your network of supportive relatives
and friends. In your statement, you will probably describe your ordinary routines, such as
your typical weekday or weekend, your hobbies and interests, and your leisure time
activities. You may also describe your plans for childcare if you work outside the home.
There will be questions that cover your experiences with children, relatives' children,
neighbors, volunteer work, babysitting, teaching, or coaching. You might be asked some
"what if" questions regarding discipline or other parenting issues.
You will probably be asked about your neighborhood: How friendly are you with your
neighbors? What kinds of people live nearby? Is it a safe area? Why did you pick this
neighborhood? Are you located conveniently to community resources, such as medical
facilities, recreational facilities, shopping areas, and religious facilities?
And you will be asked about religion, you’re level of religious practice, and what kind of
religious upbringing (if any) you will give the child.
There may also be a section on specific adoption-related issues, including questions
about why you want to adopt, what kind of child you feel you can best parent and why,
how you will tell the child he or she is adopted and when, what you think of birth parents
who make an adoption plan for their child, how you will handle relatives' and friends'
questions about adoption, and whether you can bond to a child not genetically related to
you.
You may not know all these answers right away! A home study is supposed to help you
think through these issues. Hopefully, the social worker guiding you through the home
study process will offer advice on describing these topics.
You will be asked to provide a copy of your birth certificate, your marriage license or
certificate, and your divorce decree, if applicable. Health Statements most agencies require
a physical exam of prospective adoptive parents, or at least a current tuberculosis test (X-
ray or scratch test).
Some agencies that only place infants with infertile couples require that the physician
verify the infertility. Others just want to know that you are essentially healthy, have a
normal life expectancy, and are able to physically and emotionally handle the care of a
child. If you have a medical condition, but are under a doctor's care and it is under
control (for instance, high blood pressure or diabetes that is controlled by diet and
medication), you can probably still be approved as an adoptive family. A serious health
problem that affects life expectancy may prevent approval.
Income Statement Usually, you are asked to verify your income by providing a copy of your
paycheck stub(s), a copy of a W-4 form, or an income tax form (1040 or 1040 EZ). You will
be asked about your savings, insurance policies, and other investments and debts,
including your monthly mortgage or rent payment, car and charge account payments, etc.
This helps determine your general financial stability. You do not have to be rich to adopt;
you just have to show that you can manages your finances responsibly and adequately.
Criminal Background Clearances:
Child Abuse and Criminal Clearances Most States require by law that criminal record and
child abuse record clearances be conducted on all adoptive parent applicants. This
usually
involves filling out a form with your name (in a woman's case, it would include her maiden
name and former married names, if applicable), date of birth, and Social Security number;
possibly getting the form notarized; and sending it to the Department of Justice, The
Federal Bureau of Investigations and the State child welfare and police agencies for
clearance. In most States it involves being fingerprinted. The authorities will check to see
if you have a child abuse or criminal charge on file. Misdemeanors committed long ago for
which there is a believable explanation (for example, "I was young and foolish and did
what the guys expected me to...") usually are not held against you. A felony conviction, or
any charge involving children or illegal substances, would most likely not be tolerated.
Personal References:
The agency will probably ask you for the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of
three or four individuals to serve as references for you. These might be close personal
friends, an employer, a former teacher, a co-worker, a neighbor, or your pastor. The social
worker will either write a letter to or talk to your references on the telephone, asking
questions about you that you have already answered yourself. These would address such
areas as your experience with children, the stability of your marriage, if applicable, and
your motivation to adopt. References generally are used to get a complete picture of a
family's application and an idea of their support network. Approval would rarely be
denied on the grounds of one negative reference alone. However, if it were one of several
negative factors, such as ill health, a questionable criminal record, and a poor work
history, or if several of the references were negative, the agency may not approve the
application. You should pick as references people who know you the best. If possible, they
should be individuals who have known you for several years, who have seen you in
various kinds of situations, who have visited in your home and know of your interest in
children, and who are also able to comment on your lifestyle. For instance, they should
know what some of your hobbies and interests are. These kinds of references are the most
useful and compelling to the social worker completing the home study.
(continues)
Last Updated: Friday, 24 July 2009
Page 1 of 2
Home Study is required in Adoption:
Prospective Parents for additional information (760) 356-5565
Home Study is required in Adoption:
Once prospective parents apply to adopt a child (whether they apply to an agency,
attorney, facilitator, or directly to the court in an independent adoption), the laws of all 50
States and the District of Columbia require that the applicants undergo a "home study."
Details of the Home Study:
This process involves education, preparation, and the gathering of information about the
prospective parents. Ideally, the home study helps to build a partnership between the
adoption social worker and the applicants. Individuals who seek to adopt may face the
entire process with tender egos and mounting anxiety that they will not be “approved.”
Armed with accurate information, however, prospective parents can face the home study
experience with confidence and the excitement that accompanies the prospect of
welcoming a child into the family.
Nuts and Bolts of the Home Study:
There is no set format adoption agencies use to conduct home studies. The agency must
follow the general regulations of their State, but they have the freedom to develop their
own application packet, policies, and procedures within those regulations. Usually
agency staff members are glad to answer any questions and to guide applicants through
the process. The home study itself is a written report of the findings of the social worker
that has met with the applicants, individually and together, usually at the social worker's
office. At least one meeting will occur in the applicant's home. If there are other people
living in the home, they also will be interviewed by the social worker. In general, the
following information is included in the home study: Personal and family backgrounds
including upbringing, siblings, key events, and what was learned from them. Additionally
prospective adoptive parents should consider submitting information on people who have
a significant impact on the lives of the applicants, which would include all marriage and
family relationships.
- Motivation to adopt
- Expectations for the child
- Feelings about infertility (if this is an issue)
- Parenting and integration of the child into the family
- Family environment
- Physical and health history of the applicants
- Education, employment and finances-including insurance coverage and child care
plans if needed
- References and criminal background clearances
- Summary and social worker's recommendation.
Requirements for adoptive Parents:
The following sections will describe typical information or activities that will be required
of families who want to adopt.
Autobiographical Statement:
The autobiographical statement is essentially the story of your life. Most agencies have a
set of guidelines that detail the kind of information they require to assist you in writing
theautobiography, and others have the worker assist you directly.
You may be asked to describe who reared you and their style of child rearing, how many
brothers and sisters you have, and where you are in the birth order. Your statement may
answer many questions.
Were you close to your parents and siblings when you were a child; are you close now;
how
much contact do you have with them? What are some successes or failures that you have
had?
What educational level have you reached; do you plan to further your education; are you
happy with your educational attainments; what do you think about education for a child?
What is your employment status; your employment history; do you have plans to change
employment; do you like your current job? If you are married, there will be questions about
your marriage.
These may cover how you met, how long you dated before you married, how long you have
been married, what attracted you to each other, what your spouse's strengths and
weaknesses are, and the issues on which you agree and disagree in your marriage. Others
may ask how you make decisions, solve problems, settle arguments, communicate, express
feelings, and show affection. If you were married before, there will be questions about that
marriage.
If you are single, there will be questions about your social life and how you anticipate
integrating a child into it, as well as questions about your network of supportive relatives
and friends. In your statement, you will probably describe your ordinary routines, such as
your typical weekday or weekend, your hobbies and interests, and your leisure time
activities. You may also describe your plans for childcare if you work outside the home.
There will be questions that cover your experiences with children, relatives' children,
neighbors, volunteer work, babysitting, teaching, or coaching. You might be asked some
"what if" questions regarding discipline or other parenting issues.
You will probably be asked about your neighborhood: How friendly are you with your
neighbors? What kinds of people live nearby? Is it a safe area? Why did you pick this
neighborhood? Are you located conveniently to community resources, such as medical
facilities, recreational facilities, shopping areas, and religious facilities?
And you will be asked about religion, you’re level of religious practice, and what kind of
religious upbringing (if any) you will give the child.
There may also be a section on specific adoption-related issues, including questions
about why you want to adopt, what kind of child you feel you can best parent and why,
how you will tell the child he or she is adopted and when, what you think of birth parents
who make an adoption plan for their child, how you will handle relatives' and friends'
questions about adoption, and whether you can bond to a child not genetically related to
you.
You may not know all these answers right away! A home study is supposed to help you
think through these issues. Hopefully, the social worker guiding you through the home
study process will offer advice on describing these topics.
You will be asked to provide a copy of your birth certificate, your marriage license or
certificate, and your divorce decree, if applicable. Health Statements most agencies require
a physical exam of prospective adoptive parents, or at least a current tuberculosis test (X-
ray or scratch test).
Some agencies that only place infants with infertile couples require that the physician
verify the infertility. Others just want to know that you are essentially healthy, have a
normal life expectancy, and are able to physically and emotionally handle the care of a
child. If you have a medical condition, but are under a doctor's care and it is under
control (for instance, high blood pressure or diabetes that is controlled by diet and
medication), you can probably still be approved as an adoptive family. A serious health
problem that affects life expectancy may prevent approval.
Income Statement Usually, you are asked to verify your income by providing a copy of your
paycheck stub(s), a copy of a W-4 form, or an income tax form (1040 or 1040 EZ). You will
be asked about your savings, insurance policies, and other investments and debts,
including your monthly mortgage or rent payment, car and charge account payments, etc.
This helps determine your general financial stability. You do not have to be rich to adopt;
you just have to show that you can manages your finances responsibly and adequately.
Criminal Background Clearances:
Child Abuse and Criminal Clearances Most States require by law that criminal record and
child abuse record clearances be conducted on all adoptive parent applicants. This
usually
involves filling out a form with your name (in a woman's case, it would include her maiden
name and former married names, if applicable), date of birth, and Social Security number;
possibly getting the form notarized; and sending it to the Department of Justice, The
Federal Bureau of Investigations and the State child welfare and police agencies for
clearance. In most States it involves being fingerprinted. The authorities will check to see
if you have a child abuse or criminal charge on file. Misdemeanors committed long ago for
which there is a believable explanation (for example, "I was young and foolish and did
what the guys expected me to...") usually are not held against you. A felony conviction, or
any charge involving children or illegal substances, would most likely not be tolerated.
Personal References:
The agency will probably ask you for the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of
three or four individuals to serve as references for you. These might be close personal
friends, an employer, a former teacher, a co-worker, a neighbor, or your pastor. The social
worker will either write a letter to or talk to your references on the telephone, asking
questions about you that you have already answered yourself. These would address such
areas as your experience with children, the stability of your marriage, if applicable, and
your motivation to adopt. References generally are used to get a complete picture of a
family's application and an idea of their support network. Approval would rarely be
denied on the grounds of one negative reference alone. However, if it were one of several
negative factors, such as ill health, a questionable criminal record, and a poor work
history, or if several of the references were negative, the agency may not approve the
application. You should pick as references people who know you the best. If possible, they
should be individuals who have known you for several years, who have seen you in
various kinds of situations, who have visited in your home and know of your interest in
children, and who are also able to comment on your lifestyle. For instance, they should
know what some of your hobbies and interests are. These kinds of references are the most
useful and compelling to the social worker completing the home study.
(continues)
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