Prepare for a Pre-Adoption Home Study
In order to complete many adoptions in the United States, families are required to submit to a home study. This typically involves a visit by a social worker into the family home. Often, the social worker interviews family members together and separately. Many parents find the experience unnerving; however, preparation for the home study is often helpful in making the process less intimidating.
Instructions
1. Select a good home-study agency. Ask friends who have adopted for referrals. Also, join adoption support groups on the Internet and ask members for referrals. If you can't find anyone who has completed a home study, then call agencies and ask for references.
2. Make an appointment with your physician for a physical. Bring any paperwork required by your agency to the appointment for the physician to complete. If you have health issues, prepare to answer questions regarding how these issues may affect your ability to parent.
3. Talk with your spouse before the social worker visits. Address issues that are likely to come up during the interviews, including why you want to adopt, feelings about infertility (if this is an issue), how you approach discipline, how you solve conflict, what you expect of your child, relationships with other family members, interracial parenting (if this is an issue), the possibility of disruption, childcare, religion and finances.
4. Get references from friends and coworkers. Some social workers will not accept references from family members.
5. Write an autobiography of your life. This should not be lengthy, but it should give the social worker a good idea about your history and how you got to this point in your life. Check with your agency to see if you need to follow a specific format.
6. Review your finances thoroughly. You'll need to explain how you plan to provide for your child financially. Most agencies require a statement of finance and may have a specific form to complete.
7. Research adoption related issues such as attachment disorder or developmental delays. Be prepared to explain how you will address these issues if they arise in your child.
8. Prepare your home for the visit. Your home doesn't need to be perfect, but it should be neat and safe. Make sure all smoke detectors are working and be prepared to answer questions about how you will child-proof your home.
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