What is a Home Study?

The term "Home Study" means two things, one it is a written document describing in detail who the prospective adoptive parents are and two it is a process all adoptive applicants go through in order to adopt.

The written home study is comprised of information gathered from autobiographies the applicants are asked to write as well as from interviews with the applicants conducted by a licensed adoption case worker. At least one of the interviews takes place in the applicants' home. Topics covered range from childhood experiences and marital stability, to parenting philosophy. The written portion also reflects the results of three different background checks, medical reports, and personal reference letters. Upon completion of the written home study and acceptance as adoptive candidates the prospective parent(s) are placed among our pool of candidates waiting for an adoptive placement. This document is a tool that is used to assess applicants' ability to be an adoptive parent(s) and depending on the type of adoption may be reviewed by another agency, country, and the presiding court.

The home study process begins with the first orientation visit at the agency and in most cases follows all the way through finalization. It involves the written document, but in addition it entails the education of our applicants about unique adoption issues, parenting styles and skills, the birth parent perspective, and identifying sources of support for adoptive families. Applicants also learn about being a part of the adoption triad (adoptive parents, birth parents, and adoptees), and the different perspectives of each triad member. This education occurs through formal classes as well as throughout the adoption process with an experienced and knowledgeable, adoption case worker.