SURVIVING AN ADOPTION HOME STUDY

Every family or couple that is looking to adopt a child must legally submit to a pretty extensive vetting process. In the state of Texas, adoptions require background checks, interviews, and the submission of references, but, undoubtedly, the home study is the most stressful process for most applicants.

A home study is a visit from a social worker or adoption professional to an applicant family's residence for evaluation. These visits include interviews and an inspection of the household itself. While this part of the process is often dreaded by applicant families and couples, there are also a lot of misconceptions about home studies.

The following is important to remember about home studies in Texas:

IT IS NOT A CLEANLINESS INSPECTION

Yes, a sanitary household is important, but it is not necessary to prepare your house for a photo shoot. Immaculate cleanliness is far less important than showing your home is comfortable, safe, and capable accommodating the upbringing of a child.

YOUR HOUSE DOES NOT NEED TO BE TOTALLY CHILD-READY (YET):

If there are changes that need to be made to your house before you welcome a child into it, they do not all have to be complete by the home study. Agencies realize that this kind of transition is a process and just because a nursery is incomplete or toys are not yet purchased does not mean a household will be automatically disqualified.

THERE WILL BE ITEMS OF INTEREST

While your home does not need to fully outfitted to accommodate a child during your home study, there will be some items that will be inquired about or inspected. These items can pose a potential risk to children and should be safely maintained, including:

• Firearms
• Medications
• Chemicals (such as cleaning products)
• Smoke detectors and fire extinguishers
• Swimming pools

THE QUESTIONS WILL BE PERSONAL

Clients tend to focus heavily on the appearance and readiness of their homes, but the truth of the matter is that interviews that are conducted are just as critical. Agencies want to know about your history, your experience with children, what your response would be to a number of different parenting scenarios, and many other things about your potential family life. These interviews will likely be conducted together with your spouse and separately.

REMEMBER TO RELAX

It’s important to remember that these agencies want to find homes for these children. An open, honest, and prepared approach is always recommended for these home studies—along with a reminder that they are just one piece of a larger view of you and your family's candidacy.