Home study requirements vary between states. It is difficult to say a generic document. All prospective adoptive parents whether they are adopting internationally, domestically or going through a private adoption must have a home study done. The purpose of the home study is to help the child placing agency, the attorneys, the court, the state and foreign countries assess the appropriateness of the adoptive parents and their home to ensure the child's safety. Because we are a licensed child placing agency, we are required to follow the Minimum Standards and Guidelines for Child-Placing Agencies in Texas.
What is Home Study?
The home study is an autobiography of your life. Information gathered during the interview consists of the family background of both adoptive parents. The home study follows the Minimum Standards for child placing agencies and includes the following:
- the age of the prospective adoptive parents.
- significant relationships.
- history of the prospective adoptive parents' residence and citizenship.
- motivation for adoption.
- health status and any disabilities.
- quality of the adoptive parents' marital relationship.
- feelings about their childhood, parents, and immediate family.
- the prospective adoptive parents' religious beliefs and willingness to provide spiritual development, religious affiliation, and health protection due to certain medical procedures.
- the values, feelings, and practices in regard to child's discipline.
- the sensitivity and feelings toward birth parents.
- expectations of adopted children and attitudes of extended family.
- the prospective adoptive family's ability to provide a safe and nurturing environment.
- the financial status of the prospective adoptive parents and the ability to meet basic material needs.
- the results of the criminal history and central registry check for child abuse.
- three to four reference letters from professionals and family friends concerning your character/personality traits.
These are just some of the topics that are covered in the home study. The interview is conducted in your home, with all the household members that reside in your home present to include children. The interview is conducted by a social worker who is licensed and will work quickly and efficiently to complete the home study. The first step is to give us, Adoption Angels, Inc. a call to schedule your home study visit if you need a domestic or international home study.