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Home Study
Regardless of the type of adoption (domestic or intercountry) or entity that assists families in the process (public agency, licensed private agency, attorney or adoption facilitator), nearly all families must complete the home study process prior to proceeding with an adoptive placement. The primary purpose of a home study is to ensure that each child is placed in a suitable home and that good matches are made between children and families. Home studies also help to ensure that prospective homes comply with State and local laws for placement of adoptive children and that parents and families are educated about adoption and have the information they need to make the best decisions for their families about adoption. Use the following resources to learn more about the adoption home study process, including specific practices related to different types of adoptions.
The Adoption Home Study Process | |
Series Title: | Factsheets for Families |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 1,553KB) Order (Free) - Add to Cart |
Year Published: | 2010 - 9 pages |
This fact sheet describes the types of information that will be collected from prospective adoptive parents during the home study process. The following elements are addressed: autobiographical statement, health statement, income statement, child abuse and criminal clearances, and references. Tips for the interview and home visit also are provided. |
National Foster Care and Adoption Directory
Lists agencies by geographic area that can conduct home studies. Results are clustered by the type of adoptions agencies handle.
Criminal Background Checks for Prospective Foster and Adoptive Parents | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 589KB) |
Year Published: | 2011 - 65 pages |
Discusses the requirements set by States for conducting checks of State and Federal criminal records of prospective foster and adoptive parents, as well as any adults residing in the prospective parents? households. Summaries of laws for all States and U.S. territories are included. |
Homestudy Anxiety
Adoptive Families Magazine
Answers some common questions about issues typically discussed during the home study process. For instance, some families wonder whether past mistakes or health problems might keep them from adopting.
Home Study Process
Children Awaiting Parents
Provides an overview of what families should expect from the home study process.
Home Study Requirements for Prospective Parents in Domestic Adoption | |
Series Title: | State Statutes |
Author(s): | Child Welfare Information Gateway. |
Availability: | View Download (PDF - 1,155KB) |
Year Published: | 2012 - 138 pages |
Summarizes State laws and policies for approving prospective adoptive homes. This document describes who must be included in the home study, qualifications for adoptive parents, elements of the home study, exceptions for relatives, requirements for placements across State lines, and more. |
It's Homestudy Day and I'm Not Perfect Yet
Laskas (1999)
Provides a personal perspective about overcoming anxiety sometimes associated with the home study process.
Preparing for Your Home Study (PDF – 136 KB)
Adoptive Families Magazine
Lists questions prospective adoptive parents might ask themselves to prepare for their home study.
Self-Assessment Tool
Children Awaiting Parents
Presents an assessment tool to help families determine if adoption is right for them.