homestudy

In most instances after a family decides to adopt, they first begin their home study. This was not the case for D & I. We saw JMc's on this photo listing and then decided to adopt. So, we worked backwards through the process a bit. So, if you see a child on the photo listing that you want more information on, ASK first, home study later.

For those of you who aren't familiar with a home study and what it entails, I want to give you a little information. We finished up our home study in 2010, so things may have changed a bit. If so, this will still give you a general idea of what is needed and expected of you. WARNING: At first, the requirements seem horribly detailed and can be quite intimidating. Trust me, you do not need a law degree to fill it all out and your adoption agency and social worker will be there to answer questions when you are unsure or just flat out get ready to pull your hair out.

Documents Checklist for Home Studies from Catholic Charities in 2009/2010.
*Copies of birth certificates for each parent
*Marriage license (if applicable)
*Divorce decrees (if applicable)
*Physician Statements for each parent
*Financial Form
*Most recent 1040 Income Tax Return
*Pay Stubs
*Bankruptcy discharge order (if applicable)
*Original FBI fingerprint report
*Pet's vaccination record (if applicable) 
*Waste treatment inspection report (can be obtained from your local health department)
*Verification of smoke detectors (during home visit) and fire extinguisher (at least 10 lbs)
*Drivers license and social security cards must be presented to your social worker for Child Abuse Registry checks


*All international home study applicants must complete 10 hours training education independent of the home study. Catholic Charities uses the Parents in Process training curriculum provided by Holt International. If adopting a child 2 years or older or a special needs child, an additional 4 hours of training is required.


*All applicants adopting domestic infants must complete a newborn education class. If local, they can refer you to a hospital in the area that will provide the class free of charge. Otherwise, contact a local hospital in your area. 


*All applicants for special needs adoptions must complete 15 hours of training.


See, I told you it sounds like A LOT! It is so doable, though. There are also some filings you had to through the US government. Your social worker will advise you of those requirements at your first meeting with them (or at least our social worker did) and you will be given more detailed information. In our case, we first went to see our social worker in her office. Then, she came to our residence for a home visit. At this visit, you do not have to have your home ready for your child, you just have to show that that it is a safe environment with clean water, and have room for the child. Note, you do not have to have a separate bed room for each of your children, children can share a room as long as they have adequate living/sleeping space.  There were a series of interviews, but they are just basic questions about your family, your childhood, your hobbies, careers, etc. It really isn't anything to worry over, and even though you won't believe me...your house does not have to be perfect and spotless! The fees for our home study were MUCH less than those listed on our adoption agency's website. If you want more information on that, please ask me or if you are local, I can give you the contact information for our social worker at Catholic Charities.  The fee in our case was paid in steps. So, we did not have to pay it all at once. To submit our original application was $25.00.


This is just a basic run-down of the dreaded home study. See, it isn't that bad! If you have any questions or want more information, please do not hesitate to contact me. My email is stacyjbenefield@yahoo.com or you can give me a call or FaceBook me.

Do you want to do something beautiful for God? There is a person who needs you. This is your chance.
Mother Teresa 

 

XOXO,

Stacy