The Adoptive Home Study Evaluation Table of Contents

Being the subject of a home study can be especially intimidating. Prospective adoptive parents usually feel as though they are being judged and feel compelled to give the "right" answers or make a "good" impression. Most are relieved to learn that social workers are just normal people who can understand and appreciate individual differences. In most cases, the home study worker is not the person who is making the final decision about whether to place a child with a given family. His or her job is to prepare an objective report that represents the kind of life that a child placed in that home might have. The home study process itself is a tool for the adoptive parents because it helps them analyze their own backgrounds and their philosophies on family and child-rearing and allows them to evaluate their own readiness for parenting. The home study is a tool for placement agencies. It provides them with the information they need to decide whether the needs of a specific child can best be met by a certain family.

In addition to assessment, education should be a major part of the home study process.

In most cases, the home study is done prior to consideration of the applicants as prospective parents. However, some states allow for birth parents to arrange the placement of their child independently through an attorney or other third party and the home study is done only after the adoption petition has been filed in court.

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The Criteria

What makes the perfect parent? On the surface, this seems an easy question to answer, but actually it is extremely difficult on a case by case basis. We can all look around us and see the strengths and weaknesses of others' parenting skills. It is easy to agree that all children deserve to be raised by parents who can love them and provide for their basic needs. However, the responsibility for deciding whether or not a given person or couple is suited to adopt a child is daunting.

Think for a moment about a child whom you know and love. If you were faced with placing him with an adoptive family, what criteria would you use?

The criteria for adoption are established by the various entities involved (i.e. agencies, birth parents, courts, and state or federal governments here or abroad), depending upon the type of adoption being proposed. Some criteria will be clearly stated in the laws of a given state and others will be left to the discretion of the agencies and courts.

Criteria are influenced by a number of factors, with the best interests of the child being paramount.

A child welfare official in a developing country who is making a decision about placing a child in the United States may have a limited understanding of our culture and the resources available to cope with chronic medical conditions, for example. Hence, they may be less likely than a child welfare official in the United States to consider an applicant with Diabetes Mellitus to be a suitable candidate for adoption.

Characteristics that are usually evaluated include:

• age of prospective adoptive parents
• marital status
• length of marriage
• family composition
• health (mental and physical)
• employment history and financial status
• criminal record
• residency
• citizenship
• physical standards of the home

All adoptive families must meet the minimum criteria established by the state in which they live.

Application of the Criteria—Domestic Adoptions

In domestic adoptions of infants, criteria such as age, marital status, health, and financial status are most often determined by the child's birth parents.

In domestic adoptions arranged by public or private agencies for children whose birth parents are not involved in the process, these criteria are often set by the agency's board of directors or the public authority which governs the agency. For example, decisions about the age of parents may be based upon the theory that a person probably would not have a child born to them after age forty-five, so adoptive parents should not be more than forty-five years older than the child they adopt.

Length of marriage is almost always clearly defined, with minimums varying from one to five years. Requirements concerning family composition will vary depending upon the age and sex of the child the family is seeking to adopt.

There is often more flexibility when prospective parents are seeking to adopt a child who is older than a toddler, part of a large sibling group, of minority heritage, or who has physical or mental disabilities. Preference is usually given to the child's foster parents, if any.

Application of the Criteria—International Adoptions

In international adoptions, there are, in many countries, specific laws which govern the age of adopting parents, acceptance of singles as adoptive parents, and length of marriage. The minimum age of twenty-five years is set by the U.S. Department of Justice Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). In the People's Republic of China, for example, preference is given to applicants who are thirty-five years old and childless for the placement of healthy infants. In Korea, adoptive parents must be between twenty-five and forty-five years old. The decision to accept singles may be made by the government or by the child caring institution responsible for the child. For many, there is a feeling that a child who may spend his or her life in an institution if not adopted should be allowed the opportunity to have at least one parent. Of course, placing a child with a married couple does not ensure that he/she will have two parents who will live to see him/her to adulthood. In our society, as in many others around the world, there are lots of children growing up happy and healthy in single parent households.

Criteria regarding the health of prospective parents are usually applied on a more individualized basis. While some agencies or governmental entities are unwilling to consider any person with a chronic health condition, some allow applicants to present extensive medical information with regard to lifestyle, life expectancy, and ability to care for a child. In almost all cases, prospective parents who suffer from communicable or life-threatening diseases (such as AIDS) will be disqualified from adopting a child.

The federal government has specific guidelines for the content of home studies to be used in international adoptions. These include:

• Statement about the qualifications of the person preparing the study and a citation of the state law that allows the party to conduct the home study.
• At least one personal interview with each adult member of the household and at least one visit to the home.
• A description of the number and types of contacts with the adoptive family.
• Criminal background check for each adult in the home.
• Statement that each adult was specifically asked if they have a history of substance abuse, child abuse, sexual abuse, criminal activity, or domestic violence even if it did not result in a conviction.
• If the applicants have previously been rejected as adoptive parents or the subject of an unfavorable adoptive home study, prior studies must be submitted with a full explanation of why the current study is favorable.
• Summary of preplacement counseling given and opportunities for postplacement counseling.
• Evaluation of financial capability.
• Assessment of the physical, mental, and emotional stability of all adults in the household and a statement about their suitability to care for a child.
• Detailed description of the home and a statement about whether the accommodations meet applicable state requirements, if any.
• Statement about the willingness of the prospective adoptive parents to provide for a handicapped or special needs child, if applicable.
• Specific approval of the adoptive parents which includes the reasons for the approval and the specific number, age, sex, and nationality of the child/children they are approved to adopt.

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Documents Needed in the Home Study Process

During the home study process, prospective adoptive parents can expect to be required to provide the following documents:

• Birth certificates
• Marriage certificate
• Proof of termination of previous marriages
• Proof of adoption of other children already in the home
• Medical reports completed within the last year for all members of the household
• Proof of income (1040 or W-2 form)
• Fingerprint cards or police clearance certificate for all adult members of the household
• Autobiographical information
• Names and addresses of references who can write letters on their behalf
• Proof of health insurance to cover the child
• Proof of pet vacinations

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The Interviews

Some agencies or adoption practitioners will require that all documents be submitted prior to scheduling the interviews. This policy serves two purposes. First, if there are criminal records, medical problems, or other factors which might affect the acceptance of the adoptive applicants, they can be discussed and resolved. Second, if there are significant delays with gathering the documents, there is not a long lapse of time between conducting the interviews and completing the report. Sometimes workers do not write a study until they have all the necessary paperwork and it is difficult to write an accurate report if several months have passed. Other agencies will schedule the interviews right away and let the adoptive parents submit their documents over the course of the home study process.

Some agencies require attendance at preadoption classes prior to scheduling the home study interviews. The benefits of these classes can be tremendous. The group setting allows prospective adoptive parents the opportunity to form relationships with other couples or singles who are going through the process. Often, issues which one might not have considered will be raised by other group members and stimulate thought or discussion. Attending group meetings may help to reduce feelings of isolation, especially if you have experienced infertility and have felt overwhelmed that everyone around you seems to be able to get pregnant without any effort. Preadoption classes are often lead by people who have already successfully adopted and who can offer lots of insights into life as an adoptive family.

The interview process may take a few days or several weeks, due in part to the laws of the state where the adoptive parents live. In Georgia, for example, there must be at least three interviews with at least five days in between each interview. In most states, applicants must be interviewed individually as well as together. The location of the interviews will vary depending upon the practitioner or agency, but at least one will be in the applicants' home. All members of the household should be present at the time of the home visit.

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What are They Looking For?

Emotional Stability

Be prepared to discuss your childhood, your adulthood, your education and employment history, and your adult relationships. Think about your life experiences and how they have influenced your present beliefs and values. You might want to share information about people who have been important in your development such as grandparents, teachers, or close friends.

If you are now or have been receiving counseling, you will be asked to explain the problem that made you seek counseling and how it has been or is being resolved. If you are currently under the care of a mental health professional, a letter from him/her will probably be required. Don't be afraid to disclose information about yourself to the social worker; nobody is perfect.

Your actions will be a strong indicator of your emotional state. It is very important that you resolve, if possible, any anger or guilt associated with your infertility or previous failed adoption attempts before beginning the home study process. Adoption professionals are usually in the role of helping children to find loving homes and helping parents realize their dreams of having a family. Thus, the home study process should he a partnership where both parties benefit.

Letters of reference are important in portraying your individual character and personality. When choosing people to write the letters, think carefully about those who know you well. It is much better to use close friends who have spent a lot of time with you and/or your family. They can tell about specific occasions when they have observed you demonstrating qualities such as kindness, generosity, or concern for others. The agency or practitioner may provide the reference with an outline to follow, which could include some or all of the following areas:

• Relationship with you (how long they have known you, in what capacity, etc.)
• Observations about your family life, values, and morals
• Observations of your interactions with children
• Your strengths or weaknesses as prospective adoptive parents
• Acceptance of a foreign-born or special needs child into your family and community, if applicable
• History of or potential for substance abuse

References may also be interviewed in person or over the telephone, in some cases. In general, references should be people who are not related to you. You may be allowed to also provide references from your relatives but they will not count toward the minimum number of letters needed. Reference letters are usually held in confidence, thereby giving the writer the freedom to make any comments they choose.

Health

Medical information will be required for all members of the household. If you have any medical conditions for which you are receiving treatment, you may need to provide a separate letter from your doctor which addresses those conditions. Issues to be discussed include the diagnosis, treatment, side effects of treatment, limitations to activities of daily living or life expectancy, and an assessment of your ability to care for a young child. Major health problems will not necessarily rule you out as an adoptive parent, but may limit your choices as to the programs or countries in which you will be accepted.

Marital Relationship

Both spouses will be asked about the strengths or weaknesses of their relationship. Communication styles, roles, decision-making, values, and methods of coping with crises will be addressed. It is not essential that both spouses be exactly alike in their thinking and actions; it is more important that they recognize their differences and find ways to complement one another. It does help, of course, if both spouses have similar values and goals and work well together as a team.

Previous Marriages

All prior marriages must be documented and discussed. You should take time to evaluate, if you haven't already done so, some of the reasons why you chose that spouse and why the relationship didn't work out.

Education and Employment

You will be asked to provide factual information such as names of schools or places of employment as well as a subjective account of your experiences. Academic performance, participation in extra curricular activities, and how you chose your career path may be discussed. If you have had a history of job changes, you will want to explain why you have moved from one company to another or from one field to another. Be specific about your responsibilities and your future career goals.

Family of Origin

You will be asked to discuss your relationship with your parents, siblings, grandparents, and other relatives, both as a child and now. Family traditions, celebration of holidays, methods of discipline, and religious and ethical values will probably be discussed. If you have informed your extended family about your adoption plans, tell about their reactions and their plans for the new child.

Other Family Members

All members of your household will be included in the home study process.

If you already have children, they may be asked about their feelings about the proposed adoption. Don't worry if your four-year-old tells the social worker that he doesn't want a baby because they're too much trouble. Children, just like adults, go through periods of ambivalence about impending changes in their lives.

For an adopted child, the home study process can be especially meaningful because it gives him an idea of what his parents went through before he was placed in their home. Hopefully, it will be an exciting time of anticipation that will make him feel good about himself. It is a great opportunity to tell his adoption story again and again.

You will be asked to describe your children's personalities and your family life. Be prepared to give specific information about how you plan to provide for another child. Think about the impact that another child will have on your children and how you will handle sibling rivalry.

Philosophies of Parenting and Child Rearing

Most people will parent their children in a similar manner to the way they were parented, unless they make a conscious effort to do things differently. Think about the things your parents did that you really appreciate and would like to do for your child as well as areas where you might improve. With changing values and expectations in society at large, the child-rearing philosophies your parents used may have been perfectly acceptable in the fifties and sixties but not in the nineties.

It may help to make a list of things that you feel are important for a parent to teach or instill in a child and then make a list of the ways in which you would accomplish those goals. If you want to teach a child to make his own decisions, for example, you need to be ready to let him make bad choices and fail. Hopefully, children will be allowed to learn the basic lessons of life in the security of their family rather than out in the world.

Discipline practices have varied greatly from one generation to another. Parents in the fifties and sixties routinely used spankings and stern verbal reprimands that are considered detrimental by today's standards. It is helpful to observe other parents you know and how they handle their children's behavior. Reading books is another way to gather the information needed to formulate your own plans for discipline. Parenting classes are offered in many churches, schools, and hospitals but you may not feel comfortable attending them until you actually have a child. Some states or agencies even require that adoptive parents sign a contract stating that they will not use physical punishment.

Child care plans should be considered in advance. If you already have children, you may have experience with the different types of child care available in your community and what worked best for your other children. If you don't have children, you might want to talk to your friends, neighbors, or coworkers to get suggestions. Keep in mind that what is right for one child may not be for another and changes can always be made.

You will probably be asked to consider what your plans would be for guardianship of your child in the event of your death. If possible, talk it over with any prospective guardians and get their consent. If you are adopting a child of a different racial or ethnic background or a child with mental or physical disabilities, it will be especially important that the people you choose will be able to raise your child in an atmosphere of acceptance and security.

One wonderful aspect of parenting is that there are as many ''right'' ways to raise a well-adjusted child as there are people in the world. Regardless of your own beliefs and expectations, there will be an expert somewhere who agrees with you and has written a book on the subject. Be prepared to throw all your plans and ideas out the window, however, once your child arrives and you have to deal with the reality of parenting. Trust your instincts for responding to your child's individual needs to the best of your ability.

Religion

You may be asked to write a statement of faith or to discuss your beliefs. If you are actively involved in a faith community, you might use your religious leader as a reference. Agencies that are sponsored by a religious organization may have requirements about participation in a particular faith. Be specific about your plans for sharing your faith with your child and your plans, if any, to expose him to other faiths.

Finances

You may provide a letter from your employer, a copy of your 1040 tax form, or paycheck stub as proof of income, depending upon the requirements of your agency or adoption practitioner. You will also be asked to prepare a net worth statement that includes your assets as well as your liabilities. If you don't have a will, you will want to consider writing one prior to the placement of a child.

Health Insurance Coverage

Under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, all employers who offer group health insurance plans which provide benefits for dependent children must cover adopted children from the date of placement, including preexisting conditions. The employee must notify the insurance company in writing to add the child to the policy within thirty days of the placement or the adoption. Adoptive parents may need to submit a placement agreement from the agency or the attorney or a copy of the adoption decree to prove that they are responsible for the child's care and that he has been placed in their home for the purpose of adoption. In addition, the law mandates that employers cannot apply preexisting condition exclusions when a person moves from one job to another. Check with your health insurance representative to find out about coverage for an adopted child. If you are told that your child will not have the same benefits given to other dependents, don't be discouraged. Adoptive Families of America (AFA) can provide information about the appropriate legislation that will help you in advocating for your child's rights to insurance benefits. Many agencies will ask you to provide a written statement from your insurance company regarding coverage for an adopted child.

Home and Community

You will be asked to provide information about the resources available in your community such as hospitals, schools, libraries, and parks. If you are active in community organizations or clubs, include details about those. You will also be asked about the racial and ethnic makeup of the immediate area and how you feel an adopted child might be accepted.

The social worker will need to tour your home so he/she can write an accurate description and do a safety inspection. Some states have specific requirements about the physical standards of the home, for example, the placement of smoke alarms. You will want to have a plan for where your new child will sleep, even if you haven't converted that cluttered extra bedroom into a nursery. Some states have specific requirements about children sharing rooms, and in a few states each child must have his own room. In others, it may not be acceptable for children of different sexes to share a room after a certain age. If you have pets, you might be asked to provide evidence that they have been properly immunized.

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Preparation for Adoptive Parenting

The home study worker will need to make a recommendation about your suitability to parent the child that you are requesting. If you are planning to adopt an infant domestically, you might be asked to take infant CPR and infant care classes through your local hospital, for example. If you are planning to adopt an older child domestically, you might be asked to complete an extensive training course such as Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting. If you are planning to adopt a child internationally, you might be asked to develop specific plans to help the child preserve his cultural heritage and expose him to role models from his country of origin. A thorough home study will include discussion of issues pertinent to your situation, such as dealing with birth parents, sharing the child's history, traveling to a foreign country, etc. It is not necessary that you have all the answers at this point, but a willingness to learn and a commitment to giving your child opportunities to explore issues related to adoption are vital.

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Agency or Independent Practitioner?

Depending upon the state, home studies may be conducted by private individuals or persons affiliated with a licensed child-placing agency. Private individuals are usually licensed or otherwise certified by the state to prepare adoptive home studies. Check with your state licensing officials or your local court for a list of people or agencies qualified to conduct home studies. There are instances, however rare, where individuals prepare home studies for would-be adoptive parents even though the state they live in does not allow private home study preparation.

Some families feel that the following are advantages of using a private practitioner over an agency:

Flexibility

The practitioner may be willing to schedule interviews in the evening or on the weekends rather than during normal business hours. If it is difficult for you to take time off from your job or if you travel a lot, such flexibility of scheduling may be essential.

Costs

The fees may be lower since there are fewer administrative costs such as office rent, clerical staff, and the like.

Fewer Requirements

Attendance at classes or seminars may not be required when working with an individual.

Others feel that the following are the advantages to securing home study services from an agency rather than an individual:

Accountability

Adoption agencies are required by state licensing officials to follow certain ethical standards of practice. It is usually required that all fees be disclosed in advance, for example. Agencies cannot then charge fees in addition to those agreed upon. A private practitioner may not be subject to the scrutiny of licensing officials and may be less accountable. If promises are not kept or deadlines not met, you may have less recourse with an individual.

Versatility

When working with an adoption agency, there will often be many staff members that handle your case. If there is a conflict of personalities or philosophies, you can ask to be assigned to a different worker.

Resources

With an agency, you can draw on the collective experience of all staff members. If your social worker has not encountered the specific situation in which you find yourself, there is a good chance that someone else in the organization has and can offer sound advice. Many agencies can offer classes or opportunities to be involved in adoptive parent support groups to help you prepare for adoptive parenthood.

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Questions to Ask

Once you have a list of licensed agencies or individuals, contact them to ask the following questions:

What Fees are Involved and What Do They Cover?

Home study fees sometimes include postplacement visits and reports. When comparing one agency or practitioner to another, make sure that you know exactly what services will be provided. Another issue that frequently arises is the need for revision or update. If there is a major change in the composition of your household, a change of residence, or a change of employment, a home study update will, in most cases, be necessary. If a year passes and a child has not been placed in your home, an update may be necessary. In cases where adoptive parents have a home study prepared to adopt a child in one country and later choose to pursue another route, the home study will have to be revised. It is a good idea to find out ahead of time whether updates and/or revisions will result in additional expense.

How are Fees Paid?

Sometimes, the total fee can be paid in installments over the course of the interviews rather than in one lump sum in advance. In most cases, fees paid for home study services are not refundable. If something happens during the process such as loss of employment, job transfer, pregnancy, or illness that causes you to need to terminate the study, you will not lose as much money if you are paying the fee in installments.

How Long Will It Take?

Part of the answer to this question will depend upon you and your ability to collect and submit the necessary documents in a timely manner. It will also depend on your availability for interviews (people whose jobs require a lot of travel may need social workers who can meet them on the weekends). The other part of the equation is the current workload of the agency or individual. If there are staff shortages or if a holiday period is coming up, it may take longer to complete the study. It is also important to ask whether your study will be conducted by someone who works another full-time job and does home studies on the side or by someone for whom it is their major occupation.

What are the Qualifications and Experience of the Person Who Will Prepare the Study?

Since the home study process should be educational, adoptive parents will usually benefit more from having a worker who is experienced in the field of adoption.

Can I Read the Report Before It is Approved?

The home study is probably the most critical element of your adoption paperwork and you will be anxious to make sure that it gives a good impression. Fortunately, it is common practice that adoptive families are given the opportunity to read the study before it is sent to the various parties involved in the adoption. There may be typographical errors that are not easily noticed except by the subject of the study. If your birth date is off by ten years, for example, you would see it right away. It is practically impossible for the person writing the study to cover everything in detail during the interviews and take adequate notes. Therefore, there may be areas where something is not explained accurately or information is misinterpreted. If you feel that something is not clear or creates a negative impression, discuss it with your social worker and suggest possible solutions.

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Important Considerations Before Starting a Home Study

Where Do You Hope to Adopt?

Before you actually start the home study, you should have narrowed down your adoption plans as much as possible. The issues that will be important in a domestic home study will not necessarily be covered in an international home study and vice versa. If you are adopting a child internationally, some countries have their own preferences for the format of the home study and the issues that need to be addressed. The child welfare officials in the other country will want to see a discussion of why you want a child from their country and how you plan to instill pride in the child's heritage. This does not mean that your home study cannot be amended or revised if you change from one program to another, it is just easier for everyone involved if you have a clear idea of how the study will be used before it is written.

Another factor to consider is the acceptance of home studies by different agencies.

Do You Have Factors That Might be Problematic?

If you are concerned about anything in your life, past or present, which may be considered a problem, it is best to discuss it with the parties involved at the beginning. Areas of concern might include previous marriages, health problems, unstable job history, arrest record, mental illness, or a lifestyle that is outside the norm.

Of course, in many cases, the final decision is not up to the agency but rather to the birth parents or a foreign child welfare official. There are risks inherent in any adoption and you may just need to rely on faith to proceed.

From The Adoption Sourcebook : A Complete Guide to the Complex Legal, Financial, and Emotional Maze of Adoption by Cheryl Jones.
Los Angeles NTC Contemporary, 1998.
ISBN: 1565659066; eBook ISBN: 0585129509
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