BACK TO CAROL LAYNE, LSWThe Home Study
All prospective adoptive parents, regardless of the type of adoption they are pursuing (Private, Independent, Agency, and International) must submit to some type of pre-placement inquiry, commonly referred to as a Home Study. The purpose of the Home Study is to satisfy the courts that a child or infant is being placed in a suitable home environment.
A Home Study is usually done by a Social Worker or a Qualified Individual who is either employed by a licensed agency, a state agency, a state Department of Social Services, or who is certified by the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare.
A Home Study will typically include:
*Child Abuse Clearances & Criminal Background Check – Almost all States require that adoptive parents submit to a thorough background check, including child abuse clearances as well as a criminal background check.
*References – Often times, the applicant must furnish 3-4 satisfactory references from friends or associates.
*Health Statements – most Home Studies will require the adoptive parents obtain a general statement of good health from their physician or other health care provider.
*Financial Disclosure – Finances are typically addressed in the home study basically to establish monthly income versus monthly debt. The mention of finances is to show that the child is being placed in a financially secure home. It is NOT designed to grant approval based on one’s income level or wealth. One does NOT need to be wealthy to adopt a child.
*Home Visit – the Home Study Process is usually comprised of 1-2 home visits. Often times, the Worker will want to meet everyone within the family unit and will want to interview everyone to be sure that the entire family supports the idea of adoption.
The worker may question the family about what type of child they desire, what their family is like, what background/experience they have, etc.
The worker will also tour the home to and will check for safety as well as ensuring that there is adequate space for another child.
After the home visits are completed and all the information is gathered, the worker will make a recommendation (either positive or negative) regarding the placement of children in a particular family’s home.
In summary, the Home Study is the adoptive family’s written resume. It is a tool for them to use to "advertise" themselves. Families may want to make copies of their completed Home Study and may want to consider distributing it to physician’s offices, adoption attorneys, adoption agencies, Crisis Pregnancy Centers, etc.