FAQS ABOUT THE HOME STUDY PROCESS
What is a home study?
A home study is an assessment regarding the suitability of prospective adoptive parent(s) to adopt. The process includes interviews with the prospective adoptive parent(s) and obtaining documentation which verifies the prospective adoptive parent(s) background. The home study is a time for your home study worker to help you prepare for adoptive parenthood, address issues unique to adoptive families and provide education about adoption. A home study typically can be about 2-3 months, depending on how quickly the family provides the needed information and how quickly clearances are returned by the various registries.
What documents will I need to provide to Adoption Advisors, Inc.
Any information that will support your appropriateness to be a parent. This will include information such as criminal background, child abuse clearances, medical report, references, financial, home evaluation, employment stability, etc.
What information will I need to give about my finances?
You are asked to verify your income by providing a copy of your income tax form (1040 or 1040 EZ) for the last three years. You are also asked to provide a Letter of Verification of Employment or Business Ownership. During the home study process, you will be asked about your savings, insurance policies, assets and other investments and debts, including your monthly mortgage or rent payment, car and charge account payments, etc. This helps determine your general financial stability. You do not have to be wealthy to adopt, but AA needs to know that you can support the raising of a child.
Who should I ask to provide a letter of reference on my behalf?
Your references must be non relatives. They can be close personal friends, an employer, a former teacher, a co-worker, a neighbor, or your pastor. Your references will provide their observation of your experience with children, the stability of your marriage if applicable, and your motivation to adopt. You should pick as references people who know you the best. If possible, they should be individuals who have known you for several years.
How do I apply for a home study report?
Once AA has received the application and application fee, a home study packet will be sent to you via email unless you request otherwise. You must complete the packet and send it to AA with your documents, the required home study fee and the signed home study agreement. Once the packet is received, your social worker will contact you so that the home study interview may begin. The social worker will advise you who needs to be present at the interview.
What will the social worker be looking for during the home visit?
The social worker is not visiting your home to conduct a white glove inspection. The social worker is simply looking to see if the child will be entering into a safe and healthy environment and whether you have thought ahead as to how you are going to accommodate the new family member. The social worker will want to see the child's bedroom and all the other areas of the house or apartment, including the basement or back yard.
It is not necessary to clean the whole home from top to bottom. A certain level of cleanliness is necessary, but "lived-in" family clutter is expected. Most social workers would worry that people living in a "picture perfect" home would have a difficult time adjusting to the clutter that a child brings to a household.
What questions will my home study worker ask?
The home study interview is the presentation of you, your life, your family and their life. It includes information about your childhood, your marriage or single-hood, your extended family, your values, religion, education, finances, etc. It also discusses your decision to adopt and how you will integrate an adopted child into your family. In the case of a different race and/or culture, the home study will discuss your knowledge of the culture and your commitment regarding how you intend to help the child keep that cultural connection. The home study will discuss your discipline practices, communication skills, etc. You will be expected to receive training regarding adoption issues such as, health and developmental issues in adoption, as well as culture.
What if I have a criminal record or something that I think would prevent me from qualifying as an adoptive parent? Should I keep this information from the social worker?
Definitely not! It would not be wise to be deceptive or dishonest. Report even minor incidences. The documents collected in the home study process will expose an inconsistency in what you have presented about your family. This may harm your chances of obtaining an approved home study or in the case of international adoption, USCIS approval.
What if I or any member of my family that lives with me has a medical problem or a history of substance abuse or emotional problems?
It is important that you discuss this with your social worker. Your social worker can help you determine what impact this may have on an adoption. You can also call the AA office and speak to the Executive Director who has handled these types of issues.
Will I obtain a copy of my home study report when it is completed?
Yes. You will obtain four (4) notarized originals for your use and to submit to USCIS.
If you have additional questions, feel free to call the office at 717-873-8777.
A home study is an assessment regarding the suitability of prospective adoptive parent(s) to adopt. The process includes interviews with the prospective adoptive parent(s) and obtaining documentation which verifies the prospective adoptive parent(s) background. The home study is a time for your home study worker to help you prepare for adoptive parenthood, address issues unique to adoptive families and provide education about adoption. A home study typically can be about 2-3 months, depending on how quickly the family provides the needed information and how quickly clearances are returned by the various registries.
What documents will I need to provide to Adoption Advisors, Inc.
Any information that will support your appropriateness to be a parent. This will include information such as criminal background, child abuse clearances, medical report, references, financial, home evaluation, employment stability, etc.
What information will I need to give about my finances?
You are asked to verify your income by providing a copy of your income tax form (1040 or 1040 EZ) for the last three years. You are also asked to provide a Letter of Verification of Employment or Business Ownership. During the home study process, you will be asked about your savings, insurance policies, assets and other investments and debts, including your monthly mortgage or rent payment, car and charge account payments, etc. This helps determine your general financial stability. You do not have to be wealthy to adopt, but AA needs to know that you can support the raising of a child.
Who should I ask to provide a letter of reference on my behalf?
Your references must be non relatives. They can be close personal friends, an employer, a former teacher, a co-worker, a neighbor, or your pastor. Your references will provide their observation of your experience with children, the stability of your marriage if applicable, and your motivation to adopt. You should pick as references people who know you the best. If possible, they should be individuals who have known you for several years.
How do I apply for a home study report?
Once AA has received the application and application fee, a home study packet will be sent to you via email unless you request otherwise. You must complete the packet and send it to AA with your documents, the required home study fee and the signed home study agreement. Once the packet is received, your social worker will contact you so that the home study interview may begin. The social worker will advise you who needs to be present at the interview.
What will the social worker be looking for during the home visit?
The social worker is not visiting your home to conduct a white glove inspection. The social worker is simply looking to see if the child will be entering into a safe and healthy environment and whether you have thought ahead as to how you are going to accommodate the new family member. The social worker will want to see the child's bedroom and all the other areas of the house or apartment, including the basement or back yard.
It is not necessary to clean the whole home from top to bottom. A certain level of cleanliness is necessary, but "lived-in" family clutter is expected. Most social workers would worry that people living in a "picture perfect" home would have a difficult time adjusting to the clutter that a child brings to a household.
What questions will my home study worker ask?
The home study interview is the presentation of you, your life, your family and their life. It includes information about your childhood, your marriage or single-hood, your extended family, your values, religion, education, finances, etc. It also discusses your decision to adopt and how you will integrate an adopted child into your family. In the case of a different race and/or culture, the home study will discuss your knowledge of the culture and your commitment regarding how you intend to help the child keep that cultural connection. The home study will discuss your discipline practices, communication skills, etc. You will be expected to receive training regarding adoption issues such as, health and developmental issues in adoption, as well as culture.
What if I have a criminal record or something that I think would prevent me from qualifying as an adoptive parent? Should I keep this information from the social worker?
Definitely not! It would not be wise to be deceptive or dishonest. Report even minor incidences. The documents collected in the home study process will expose an inconsistency in what you have presented about your family. This may harm your chances of obtaining an approved home study or in the case of international adoption, USCIS approval.
What if I or any member of my family that lives with me has a medical problem or a history of substance abuse or emotional problems?
It is important that you discuss this with your social worker. Your social worker can help you determine what impact this may have on an adoption. You can also call the AA office and speak to the Executive Director who has handled these types of issues.
Will I obtain a copy of my home study report when it is completed?
Yes. You will obtain four (4) notarized originals for your use and to submit to USCIS.
If you have additional questions, feel free to call the office at 717-873-8777.
8 South Main Street, P.O. Box 224
Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania 17361
717-942-2212
info@adoptadvisors.org
Shrewsbury, Pennsylvania 17361
717-942-2212
info@adoptadvisors.org
