1. You’re a stranger.

As an adoption worker, the lowest standard is in this hypothetical situation taken from the PSMAPP pre-service curriculum: if I became temporarily incapacitated and could not care for my child, what would I what to know about the stranger that would take care of my child for about one year? That’s where the home study comes in; it answers questions every birth parent, as well as state officials, want to know.

2. Your family/friends know you better than I do.

Therefore, as an adoption specialist, I will call them and request a reference. Adoption specialists expect references to be open, honest, and thorough. Our questions may contain yes/no questions; open-ended questions; and multiple-choice questions such as: What qualities do the applicants have that would make them good foster/adoptive parents? What experience do the applicants have with children, etc.?  

3. We need to make sure you are who you say you are.

Children are precious. Why would we not want to make sure they are safe in the home of a total stranger? In Arizona, foster/adopt agencies complete many local, state and Federal checks such as the following: driving records; fingerprinting; a Child Protective Services check; and a Criminal History Affidavit where you basically swear that you have not been arrested or charged with any crimes. Isn’t it better to be safe than sorry?

4. We won’t give you the “white glove test”…well, actually we might. 

Though adoption workers aren’t necessarily looking for spotless homes, but rather health and safety. For example, a hamper full of dirty laundry may not be a concern. However, a hamper full of moldy clothes may be a health concern. Or laundry strewn across a flight of steps may present a danger to children. Your home is where the child where be living, therefore adoption agencies need to make sure it is safe and healthy.  

5. We don’t need your life history…well…actually, we do.

Adoption agencies need a mini-biography from all applicants. Information such as: how you were raised as a child; childhood discipline; current family relationships; and biological children are all included in the home study.

6. Home studies are part of your permanent record.

On the one hand, each successive home study can be built upon the original one. If you transfer to another foster/adopt agency or move out of state, the home study follows you, and you don’t have to start from scratch. On the other hand, if there is an unsubstantiated allegation against you, the allegation stays in your permanent record. Either way, the home study is important.

7. Home Studies can become legal documents.

Not only do social workers review home studies, but also state agencies, attorneys, and judges. The home study is what the State uses to determine whether to license an applicant for foster care. The home study is what a judge uses to determine whether to certify you for adoption and ultimately, whether to grant you an adoption. Home studies can be subpoenaed, entered into the court record and the adoption specialist and her supervisor can be called to testify as to the contents of the home study.

Bottom line: the home study is important, whether for foster care or adoption. The wait is worth it because once approved you get the honor and blessing of caring for a child who is in the system through no fault of his own. Be patient! It’s well worth it!

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1. Your social worker wants to prepare you

The home study process can be excruciating. A good social worker will prepare you by walking you through the mountains of paperwork and the cumbersome rules and regulations. She will help you prepare your home for inspection. She will tell you what to expect with criminal background checks. In other words, you will not have to guess what your next step is in the home study process. Your social worker will outline that for you. A prepared home makes for a good adoptive home.

2. Your social worker wants to advocate for you

Let’s face it, everyone in the foster care system has someone to advocate for them: the biological parents, the child, and even CPS all have an attorney to represent them. But not the foster or adoptive parents. Though social workers cannot give legal advice, they can support you, train you, correct you, and guide you in your foster or adoptive experience. In other words, they advocate for you. This comes in handy when there is a bump in the road like a difficult child or difficult biological parents or when you need someone to cut through the red tape and actually get things done. A good social worker will match you with the right child whose needs you can meet. You need someone on your side. That’s what a social worker is for. Let’s face it, a good foster or adoptive family makes the social worker look good; a good family makes the social worker’s job easier. But a good social worker takes away the anxiety the family may have and makes the foster/adoption process much smoother.  

3. Your social worker loves kids!

I’ve never met a social worker that doesn’t like kids. I love kids. I adopted six, had two biologically, and am currently a licensed foster parent. My degree focused on education because I expected to be a teacher or a youth pastor. But I became a social worker because I had a passion for helping families who wanted to help children. Most other social workers feel the same way. Social workers want to help kids, protect kids, guide them, and lead them to a brighter future. For all intents and purposes, the child is the social worker’s client. The social worker’s job is to meet the needs of the family so the family can meet the needs of the child. When a child’s needs are being met, the world is a better place. That’s what social workers want.  

Yes, occasionally, you will run across a social worker who has been in the business too long and who has who is jaded from all the abuse and neglect he or she witnessed. But those are few and far between. You have every right to request a different worker if that occurs or even shop around for a different adoption agency, if possible. But for the most part, social workers want to make a difference in the world. They can best do that by being on your side and assisting you on your foster or adoptive journey.

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