What does a home study involve?, Page 2

Written narrative

You may be asked to complete a written narrative, and it may involve some very personal questions. Be honest, even if you feel it may hurt your chances to adopt. These questions, and your honest answers, help the worker to match you with a child. If you are an active and on the go family, adding a severely handicapped child who needs around the clock care, will not be the best match for you.

The narrative may also ask questions about your childhood, and your marriage. Again, be honest in these answers. This is not meant to learn every intimate detail about your life, but rather to learn about your personalities.

Family history

The worker will ask questions about your family and relationships within your family. Special needs children can be very hard on family relationships. We all have baggage, some more than others. How you were parented, and what you learned from that is key to how you will handle your child.

Other children in the home

Be prepared for any children in your home to be interviewed as well. Telling your child about this interview and why it will be happening will help to put your child at ease. The type of questions will depend upon the age of the child. There will be questions on your parenting style, types of discipline, if you use corporal punishment, how family disputes are handled, and other questions that relate directly to your parenting skills and style.

Financial disclosure

You will be asked to provide a fairly detailed financial disclosure. You will be asked to list debts, assets, if you have life insurance, how much do you have, provide copies of home and auto insurance, and other questions you might expect on a loan application. This is to determine if you can financially provide for the child. By adopting a child from foster care, you qualify for an adoption subsidy to help offset costs. See the section on subsidies (page 73) for further details.

Pets

If you have pets in your home, you will be required to show proof of current vaccinations.

Documents

You will need to provide copies of birth certificates, your marriage license if you are married, and your divorce decree if you are divorced.

Having your entire documentation ready ahead of time, will make your process go much more smoothly.

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Credits: Kelly L. Killian