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. The purpose of the home study is to protect children, not to find dirt on you. Children in foster care have most likely experienced abuse, trauma, and neglect. Rules are in place to ensure these children are placed in safe, loving homes.
2. Your caseworkers will ask you for a list of references to interview. This is one way your caseworker can get to know you and your past and determine what are your strengths and weaknesses in parenting. The purpose of identifying weaknesses is to put additional services in place to make sure that the fostering and adoption process has the highest rate of success possible.
3. The home inspection can identify possible safety hazards in the home. Accidents are the number one cause of deaths in children, and the most common are accidental drownings. The caseworker will work with you in determining safety nets to put in place in the home, such as putting a fence around pools to keep children physically safe. 
4. Interviews with all of the adults in the home will ensure that there are no red flags. For example, a person who appears to have severe mental or physical disabilities that would limit him or her from being a present and able parent can be identified.
5. All of the information gathered during the home study process is sealed in a file and is kept confidential. This information cannot be accessed by individuals other than the social workers and agency who will be approving your home. This is not public information. This information will not be given to your children or your children’s biological family.

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Documents You Will Fill Out:

•    Individual fact sheets for every member of our family – these included residential history, employment history, educational history, relationship history, health history, and the names of our extended family.
•    Financial information form – to include a list of annual gross income, assets, and debts.
•    Background history affidavit – this is a signed document regarding substance abuse, child abuse, and domestic violence.
•    Background check packet and fingerprint cards – Every person in your household over the age of 18 must submit to both a background check and fingerprinting. Your agency will provide the materials, and both background checks and fingerprinting can be easily attained at your local police station. 
•    Child abuse and neglect registry packet – These are clearance forms for background investigations of every state you have lived in since the age of 18.
•    Medical exam report – for both parent(s) and any child(ren) in the house. The medical exam is fairly straightforward and designed to assert that you are physical fit to raise a child.
•    Discipline plan – Each parent will need to sign a document saying they will not engage in corporal punishment with their prospective adoptive child.

Documents You Will Need to Provide:

•    IRS form 1040 and W-2s of your most recent tax returns
•    Employment Letter – on letterhead
•    Birth certificates/adoption decree for every member of your household
•    Marriage certificate (if applicable)
•    Verification of current health insurance
•    Verification of start of intended adoptive child’s insurance coverage
•    Photograph of applicants – Both passport size and photos of your home and community.
•    Proof of mortgage or rent
•    Driving record for every member of your household over 18
•    Rabies certificate for any pets in the house
•    Pre-adoption education certificates (state standards of education hours vary)
•    Letters of reference (usually three)
•    Vehicle liability insurance
•    Home safety standards to pass home inspection (includes smoke detectors, etc.)
•    Guardianship plans

Some of these documents will need to be notarized so pay close attention to your agency’s requirements. Planning to adopt internationally? A good tip is to get duplicates of all of the above documents as you will need them for your country dossier. A dossier is much like the home study in that your agency will send information about you and your family to your prospective adoptive child’s birth country. Most dossier documents need to be both notarized and apostilled on both the state and federal level. (Here is a great guide about international adoption paperwork!)

Though it may seem like a lot, if you work through your paperwork gradually and keep a checklist of what documents you have obtained and what documents you still need to get, I promise the process will go smoother than you think. And just remember, at the end of that stack of papers waits a child who will join your family.

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