What is a Home Study? Do We Have to Have a Home Study to Adopt?

                                        

You make the decision to adopt or become a foster parent and with all the excitement and enthusiasm in the world you call an agency to tell them the good news! The first question you are confronted with is, "do you have an active home study?"  Confused and a little frustrated, you think to yourself, "do I have a home, what study?" The agency explains that in order to be eligible to adopt or foster you first must obtain an approved home study. At this point, you may feel a little set back and overwhelmed. To make matters worse you ask "what is a home study?" The agency probably gives you a quick rundown of the home study process along with the fee structure.  You end this call feeling a large pit in your stomach and a little less enthusiastic. Many random thoughts and worries start to run through your mind.
The phrase "home study" has set many potential adoptive and foster parents into a stressful frenzy. It's time to put those worries to rest. I will explain to you what a home study is, why you need it and what to expect. At the end of this article you may feel empowered with information but maybe still a little overwhelmed by the process. My advice, don't look at the whole picture for now, just take it one step at a time and you will be done before you know it!

A Home Study:

Anyone who wishes to adopt or foster a child must have an approved home study in the State they reside. A home study is the second step in the adoption process after choosing an agency and completing the agencies application. Basically, a home study is performed by an accredited State adoption agency to ensure that you would be capable and appropriate parents to an adopted child. Yeks, that already sounds scary, right?  Before you panic, let me explain the home study requirements. Every State is different so I am going to only explain the home study process and requirements for Colorado.

After, you send in your application to the adoption agency you should be notified that you are approved to move forward with the adoption process with this agency. All agencies work slightly differently but most the time you will be sent a welcome packet after your application is approved. This welcome packet will be full of lots of fun paper work for you to fill out and a list of documentation required. (Okay, you got me there, not so fun but also not difficult to complete)

Documentation:

1. Criminal background investigation be performed, this includes fingerprints. If you have a past history, it does not necessarily mean that you will be unable to qualify for adoption. Typically, additional documentation and statements can be provided to satisfy any necessary requirements. If you have anyone over the age of 18 living in your home, they will also need to do a criminal background check.

2. Financial Information, Colorado further requires that each prospective adoptive family provide financial information and background. Again, this has nothing to do with being "rich or wealthy" The State wants to ensure that you have financial security and ability to be fiscally stable. Tax returns, financial statements, pay stubs and income verification are a few of the documents that may be requested during the home study process.

3.Medical histories, both physical and mental will also be required. Often this will require a current physical and medical statement from the family doctor to be provided by both potential adoptees. If you have existing health conditions this does not mean you are ineligible to adopt. The health condition will need to be noted by your physician with a statement that the condition is treatable under a doctor’s supervision. This is the same for many mental health conditions, so if you are taking prozac, don't panic you can still adopt. If you have children living in your home, they will also need a medical history and health assessment completed, this is just a well check.

4. References, you will be required to have three character references that are not related to you. Usually these references are sent a reference form to fill out and send back to the agency.

5. Sex Offender Registry -As part of the home study process, you will be required to submit to a sex offender registry search. This will also be required of anyone living in your home over the age of 18.

6. Agency Documents- There will also be agency documents for you to sign such as agency policies and procedures, fee sheets, non-refundable and more. Make sure you read through these carefully so you understand your agencies process.

Some agencies will require you to get all of these documents completed before your interviews are conducted and some will let you complete them while the interviews are being conducted. I personally recommend getting them completed before your interviews are conducted because the completion time of many of these documents are not controlled by your agency which could cause your home study approval to be delayed.  Once everything is completed and compiled, the home study provider will include all these documents and information in your final home study report.

Interviews:

Many families are terrified of the home study interview. I was extremely sacred and nervous for my own. I was expecting an angry and bitter old lady with a bun in her hair and glasses at the tip of her noise to show up at my door. I was terrified that she would judge my home and my past with complete discord. While I cannot guarantee what your case worker's appearance, I can tell you that most case workers are not there to make personal judgments on your home or lifestyle. Case workers are often very friendly and helpful throughout your adoption process.

Interviews typically take place in your home. At least one interview must be conducted in your home. Usually, for your first visit the case worker will meet and greet you and your family and give you an over view of the interview process. At some point, they will conduct a safety check walk through of your home. No, this does not mean they go through every corner and every drawer in your home. They simply have a safety check list and will ask you to show them certain areas of your home.
The check list will include;

1. Where you store your cleaning products and medication (this should be up high away from children with child locks

2. Fire arms, you can have fire arms but they must be stored correctly. This means a safety lock box for the fire arm and a separate safety lock box for ammunition. I know what you’re thinking about now, but just do it anyway!

3. Fire Extinguisher - You must have a fire extinguisher under your kitchen sink that is easy to access in an emergency

4. Child proofing- self- explanatory but if you need tips here is a website.

5. Family emergency escape plan posted in your kitchen

6. Access to a phone and emergency numbers posted near the phone or on your refrigerator. You may be thinking if I am adopting a newborn why does this matter? Again, just do it.

7. Water heater temperature set at 120 or below.

8. Child safety measures set up around any water features or fireplaces

9. Appropriate Fire alarms
10. Necessary exits in case of an emergency

Time to talk:

Next, the case worker will sit down with you and get to know you and everyone living in your home. (snacks are not necessary but very much appreciated) The interviews can be a lengthy process, to make the process easier on everyone they are usually split into three separate meetings, each meeting being 2 to 3 hours.  Many agencies will ask you to submit a bio before the interview which really helps the case worker learn about you and your life before these meetings. If asked to write a bio the agency should give you an outline to follow. You can be creative or just keep it simple and answer what is asked in the outline. The case worker may go through your bio with you and ask If questions pertaining to certain times or circumstances in your life including your childhood, family relationships and marriage.  This is nothing to be afraid of, all these questions are normal and they are not meant to be invasive.Remember the case worker is not their to judge you but to gather information. If your married, the case worker will ask you and your spouse questions about each other and your relationship, this part can be fun.

Also, if you have children or anyone else living in your home the case worker will conduct a short interview with them. The interview with children is very simple, usually the case worker with ask to play a game with them and during that time will ask them about their life, home and family. They will also ask how they feel about their parents adopting. Children usually love the attention during the interview and case workers are careful not to cause the child and worry or stress.
Other topics the case worker may  cover will include; how you were raised, religion, where you grew up, childhood experiences, hobbies, and numerous other questions focused on assessing each individuals history and lifestyle. Some of the discussion will focus on your adoption goals, specifically; the race, age, gender, etc. of the child you are hoping to adopt. If you are open to a child requiring special needs — you and your family’s abilities to raise a child requiring these needs will be assessed as well. (It's important to be completely honest, case workers are not asking this information to judge you but to note your preferences for your adoption). Your final home study will specifically state the characteristics of a child you are qualified to adopt. If you want to change these traits after your home study has been completed, you will be required to update your home study to verify that you are qualified.

If you have negative experiences from your past or present, don’t be afraid to discuss this with your case worker. They’re not looking for the "perfect" family because perfect families do not exist, in fact if your family appeared to be perfect this would set off huge red flags for your case worker. Your case worker is looking for you to explain these situations or circumstances and how you received or are receiving help or support. Yes, this will be written in your report but should not disqualify you for adoption.

Your home study interviews should be completed within 3 visits, some agencies take up to 6 months to complete the entire process and others only 2 months depending on the completion of needed documentation. There are also urgent circumstances when a home study can be expedited and completed within a week. Make sure you ask your agency how long they estimate the home study process to take.

Education:

This is always everyone's least favorite but it must be done. The State of Colorado required families to attend 16 hours of face to face CORE training with a State agency. This training is usually completed over a weekend. The training covers many areas of adoption, laws and parenting. If you are adopting international you will be required to have any additional 8 hours of international adoption training. Foster families must acquire 24 hours of CORE training. CORE must be complete to have an approved home study.

The End:

You made it! Once these elements have been compiled and completed your case worker will wright a final home study report for the agency to approve. Once the agency approves the final home study it’s sent in for State approval. This process does not take long and before you know it you will receive a letter stating that you are now a home study approved family! This means that you are eligible to adopt and can be matched with a birth mother or a waiting child. Your home study is good for 12 months. If your adoption is not final within a year you can have your home study updated. I recommend that you tell your agency you want your home study updated before it expires. An update is very simple and costs less than the initial home study. Additionally, if you think you will adopt again in the future I recommend that you keep your home study updated saving costs and time.

I am an adoptive mother and a case worker. I have experienced the home study on both the personal and professional point of view. I strongly advice not to worry about the home study process just proceed forward, meet your deadlines, get your paperwork complete and look at your case worker as someone who is there to support you through and after this process. Don’t  let yourself be overwhelmed with the process, just take it a step at a time. Before you know it, you will be ready to bring home your child. If you have any more questions, which I am sure most of you do, please post in comment section and I will answer them the best I can!

Side Note: There are many adoption grants and loans that are worth applying for but they will require you to have a home study approval letter. As soon as your home study is approved apply for grants and loans. There is a  good chance you will receive some form of assistance, it is so worth it!

Written by,

Julie Butterfield