Homestudy
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Once prospective adoptive parents apply to adopt a
child (whether they apply to an agency, an attorney
or 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." This process involves education and preparation
as well as 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 should
accompany the prospect of welcoming a child into the
family.
The Nuts and Bolts of an Adoption Home Study
There is no set format that adoption agencies use to
conduct home studies. They 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. Some agencies will have prospective
parents attend one or several group orientation sessions
or a series of training classes before they complete
an application. Others will have their social worker
start by meeting with family members individually and
then ask that they attend educational meetings later
on. Usually agency staff members are glad to answer
any questions and to guide applicants through the process.
The following sections will describe typical information
or activities that will be required of families who
want to adopt.
Autobiographical Statement
The autobiographical statement can be intimidating but
it 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 the autobiography
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 child care 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 kind
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, your
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
various topics.
You will be asked to provide a copy of your birth certificate,
your marriage license or certificate, and your divorce
decree, if applicable.
Some End Notes
Flexibility and a sense of humor are vital characteristics
when raising children and they can come in handy during
the home study as well. For instance, if you have the
flexibility in your job and are willing to take off
an hour early to meet with the social worker or to modify
your schedule in some other way to make the meeting
arrangements flow smoothly, that effort will be appreciated
by the worker. As a parent to be, many more of these
accommodations are in your future; therefore the social
worker often believes you might as well start getting
used to them!
The duration of the home study will vary from agency
to agency, depending on various factors, such as how
many social workers are assigned to conduct home studies,
what other duties they have, and how many other people
applied to the agency at the same time as you. You can
do a lot to expedite the process by filling out your
paper work, scheduling your medical appointments, and
gathering the required documents.
The cost of the home study depends on which kind of
agency or practitioner is conducting the study. A private
agency might charge from $1,000 to $2,500 for the home
study, although it may charge no fees or charge lesser
fees for home studies for children with special needs.
For a non-special-needs child, the fee may cover an
application fee and preplacement services, but be sure
to confirm this. For locating a specific child and providing
follow-up or post-placement services, you will usually
be charged a separate fee. These services could possibly
be performed by a second agency. Fees for these additional
services could range from $2,500 to $25,000. Many agencies
allow the fees to be paid in installments. Again, be
sure to discuss this thoroughly so that there are no
misunderstandings.
A certified social worker in private practice often
conducts home studies for independent adoptions. Fees
for these are probably in the same range as those for
private agencies. Independent adoptions are not legal
in all States.
Remember, even though an adoption home study may seem
invasive or lengthy, it is conducted to prepare you
for adoption and help you decide whether adoption is
really for you. The regulations serve to protect the
best interest of the child and to ensure he or she is
placed in a loving, caring, healthy, and safe environment.
Once you accept that premise, it often becomes a lot
easier to complete what is required of you. After all,
the reward of withstanding a short period of inconvenience
is great: many years of happiness and fulfillment raising
a child to maturity.
Good luck to you in your pursuit of a child through
adoption and with your adoption home study. With perseverance
and a good attitude, you will be able to team with the
adoption social worker to make this a valuable learning
experience-one which will help you to do the best possible
job in parenting the child who will join your family.
After all, the adoption worker wants you to accomplish
your goal of adopting, especially if one more child
gets a loving, permanent, safe family.
