Building A Home Study
Home studies are mandatory for every adoptive family in the United States whether they are adopting a child domestically or internationally.
Autobiography:
Adoptive families are asked to complete an autobiography. An Autobiography includes the story of your life, and items such as childhood experiences, family relationships, marriages, infertility experience, employment status, and so forth.
Medical/Health Statement:
Medical examinations are required to safeguard the safety of the child being brought into the home and to establish the physical condition of the adoptive parents. The goal of the medical examine is to ensure the family is in good general health and have normal life expectancies, and are able to physically and mentally care for a child.
Background Records Check:
All adoptive families must undergo some type of criminal and/or child abuse background check. Our agency will provide you with the necessary forms and information on submitting the background checks to the appropriate state or federal agency.
Financial Statements:
Financial records are required to make sure adoptive families can manage their current finances and insure that adding another family member will not put them in financial duress. Items requested will include copies of tax records, insurance policies, bank statements, mortgage/rent payments, etc.
Character References:
References are a mandatory and very important part of your home study. Typically, reference letters are collected from some of the following: employees, bosses, personal friends, neighbors, clergy, and family members. References are used to assess the adoptive family's desire and fitness to parent a child.
Personal Interview:
Two interviews will be required with the agency conducting the home study. At least one of these interviews will take place in your home. The personal interviews are meant to explore the adoptive family's decision to adopt and to make sure their home is adequately prepared to received a child. It is important to be yourself and share openly with the social worker.
Home:
When we visit your home for your personal interview we will also address specific items with regards to the home itself. If you have pets, guns, medications, chemicals or a pool, proper safety procedures will need to be established to satisfy the requirements of the state.
Religion:
Religious beliefs included in your home study will be at your discretion.
Race:
Racial integration is explored when an adoptive family is adopting a child of a different race. The Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (MEPA) prohibits race as a consideration to delay or deny an adoption. However, in the case of interracial adoptions, certain dynamics are explored to fully educate and prepare the adoptive family, The home study process discusses the issue of race to help the family prepare for the social and cultural issues associated with interracial adoptions.
Other Children:
If you have other children living in the home, and they are old enough, we will want to interview them as well. We will want to explore your child's reaction to having an adopted sibling in the home. The interview is standard practice and should not be cause for concern by the parents.
Supporting Documents
As a prospective adoptive family, you will be required to gather certain documents for your home study. These documents are necessary to legally establish your identity and personal history for the courts. The documents may include some (or all) of the following:
Birth Certificate (s) - if you do not already have a birth certificate you may order one from Bureau of Vital Statistics in the state you were born. The Bureau of Vital Statistics is typically located in the capital city of the state. You may also contact VitalChek Network Inc. at 1-800-255-2414 or www.VitalChek.com to order your copy.
Marriage License - (if applicable) contact the County Clerk where your marriage took place.
Divorce Decree(s) - (if applicable) contact the County Clerk where the decree was issued.
Military Discharge(s) - (if applicable)
Latest Income Tax Return
Employment Verification - this is usually completed by having your employer(s) write a letter on company letterhead stating position, salary, length of employment, and that you are in good standing with the company. If one spouse does not work, a statement to that effect is usually required.
Insurance Verification -having your insurance company write a letter stating when they will begin covering your child (i.e., time of relinquishment, transfer of custody, or when you take your child home) will help you plan your adoption finances and have a written record in case there are discrepancies at the time of placement. Have them include your insurance verification numbers on the letter. |
