| In adoption, the most important requirements of the | | | | of the visit, an interview could take anywhere from |
| prospective adoptive parents for adoption are home | | | | one to three hours. Most of the questions asked in |
| study. When the prospective adoptive parents | | | | the interview depend on the type of adoption the |
| suggest which adoption method they will use, they | | | | adoptive parents choose. For example if a couple |
| are expected to complete a home study. Home | | | | chooses to adopt through the public system, their |
| study is obviously the first step in the adoption | | | | discussions would be different than a couple that |
| process. What is an adoption home study? This is | | | | chooses foreign adoption. |
| assessment of the prospective adoptive parent's skill | | | | The adoption method chosen will also determine the |
| and talents. Adoption is not complete without home | | | | cost of an adoption home study. If the prospective |
| study. Though the prospective adoptive child may | | | | adoption parent chooses to go through public |
| decide to start the search for an adoptive child | | | | adoption, they find it very easy for themselves; this |
| before the home study, but the adoption will not be | | | | is because there is normally no fee required. However |
| approved until the potential adoptive family | | | | the average cost of an adoption home study is |
| completes the home study. | | | | about $1000 to $1400. There are also necessary |
| Many prospective adoptive parents find the adoption | | | | requirements, which must be met by the prospective |
| home study quite stressful. This is because their lives | | | | adoptive parents during the home sturdy. They are |
| are examined thoroughly everything about the | | | | expected provide an autobiographical statement, |
| prospective adoptive parents is investigated. The | | | | which can be presented either verbally or written. |
| prospective adoptive parents during this time feel as | | | | The prospective adoptive parents must go through a |
| if their homes are being invaded and their lives are | | | | medical examination and provide a medical report |
| being turned inside out and upside down. However | | | | from their doctor. Criminal history is important in an |
| when the prospective adoptive parents gets into the | | | | adoption home study. The prospective parents will be |
| home study proper and realize how imperative it is to | | | | examined properly regarding any criminal activity in |
| have more knowledge about adoption, they become | | | | their past. The police regarding criminal history must |
| so happy and they will not feel reluctant again to | | | | clear them. Also an adoption home study requires the |
| comply with the home study protocol in order to | | | | adoptive parents to provide at least four letters of |
| prepare themselves for adoption. | | | | reference. |
| A licensed adoption practitioner or social worker | | | | No matter how boring or time consuming an adoption |
| conducts this adoption home study. Their main job is | | | | home study may seem, the adoptive parents has to |
| to get prospective adoptive parents to know all | | | | bear in mind, that this process is meant to help them |
| areas of the adoption and making them aware of | | | | with their adoption. The adoption practitioner is also |
| challenges that are attached to raising adoptive | | | | available to help the individuals with the adoption |
| children. Throughout an adoption home study, the | | | | process. Although his/her presence in the home may |
| adoption practitioner will visit the home of the | | | | seem intimidating, it is imperative that the potential |
| prospective adoptive parents where they will carry | | | | parents realize she is there to help prepare the way |
| out a series of interviews. Depending on the nature | | | | for their adoptive child. |