<iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-K36PZ8" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden">
holding-hands-918990_960_720-2

Family Connections, Inc. Blog

Let us help you.

close

Categories

Subscribe to Email Updates

Popular Stories

Writing Adoption Reference Letters
What Names Do You Put In The Aka Or Alias Section Of Forms?
Adoption Reference Letters - How To
Pakistan Adoption FAQs
What to Expect During An Adoption Home Visit
Written by Renee Hettich
on January 02, 2014

home studyCouples or individuals wishing to adopt a child must be approved as adoptive parents after successfully completing a home study investigation.  An adoption home study investigation explores the following characteristics of prospective adoptive parent(s):  

  • Capacity to give and receive affection
  • Ability to provide for a child's physical and emotional needs
  • Ability to accept the intrinsic worth of a child
  • Ability to risk and share the child’s past
  • Ability to understand the impact of the separation and loss that the child has experienced through adoption
  • Capacity to have realistic expectations and goals
  • Flexibility and ability to change
  • Ability to cope with problems, stress and frustration
  • Feelings about parenting an adopted child
  • Ability to make a commitment to a child placed in the home
  • Ability to use community resources

 

In New York State, home study investigations review the following criteria to determine the eligibility of an individual or couple to be approved as adoptive parents:

 

1.      Age of Prospective Adoptive Parents

Prospective adoptive parent(s) must be at least 18 years old.  The individual(s) should have a reasonable expectation to live until the child's majority. 

 

2.      Health of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

Prospective adoptive parent(s) shall be in such physical condition that it is reasonable to expect him/her to live to the child's majority and to have the energy and other abilities needed to fulfill the parental responsibilities. 

 

3.      Marital Status of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

The marital status of the prospective adoptive parent(s) is not a factor in the acceptance or rejection as adoptive parent(s).  Two unrelated qualified adults (of different or same gender) living together can be approved as adoptive parents.  A single person can be approved as an adoptive parent.

 

4.      Fertility of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

Prospective adoptive parent(s) may not be rejected for adoption because of his, her or their fertility (capacity to have biological children). 

 

5.      Family Composition of the Prospective Adoptive Family

Prospective adoptive parent(s)’ family size and composition is considered as it relates to the ability of a family to care for another child and the quality of life that will be offered to an adoptive child.

      

6.      The Health and Safety of the Home of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

The prospective adoptive parent(s)’ home will be inspected for safety and appropriate space for a child(ren). 

 

 7.      Race, Religion, and Sexual Orientation of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

Prospective adoptive parents may not be discriminated against or rejected as adoptive parents on the basis of race, religion, or sexual orientation.

 

8.      The Financial Status of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

The home study investigator (social worker) considers the prospective adoptive parents’ ability to budget their resources in such a way that a child placed with them can be reasonably assured of minimum standards of nutrition, health, shelter, clothing and other essentials.

 

9.      Employment and Education of Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

The employment, education, or volunteer activities of the prospective adoptive parents will be explored during the home study investigation but may not be a factor in the approval or rejection of an individual as an adoptive parent.

 

 10.  The Parenting and/or Child Care Experience of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

The home study investigator (social worker) will explore the prospective adoptive parents’ experience as parents or with caring for or educating other children.

  

11.  The Social Networks and Community Support of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

The prospective adoptive parents’ ability to locate and take advantage of human support (e.g family, friends) and organizational resources (e.g. medical services, therapies) to strengthen their capacity as parents will be assessed by the social worker. 

 

 12.  The Child Abuse and Maltreatment History of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

The home study investigator will acquire child abuse and maltreatment history reports for each prospective adoptive parent and all other adult household members (e.g. adult children, grandparents). 

 

 13. The Criminal History of the Prospective Adoptive Parent(s)

The home study investigator will acquire state, national, and international criminal history reports for each prospective adoptive parent and all other adult household members.  In New York State, any individual who has been convicted of crimes involving violence or endangering the welfare of a child, are automatically disqualified as an adoptive parent.

 

Please understand that the criteria described within this blog determines the eligibility of an individual or couple to be approved as adoptive parents in New York State only

 

Family Connections, Inc., an authorized New York State adoption agency, recognizes that every individual and family is unique.  Thus if you have specific questions regarding your family’s eligibility to become approved as adoptive parents, please contact our agency at 1-800-535-5556 or info@adoptfamilyconnections.org.  We would be happy to explore your qualifications as adoptive parents.

 

Download The Adoption Home Study Guide

Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post.

Put your Comment Below.

You may also like:

Becoming an Adoptive Parent: A Step-by-Step Guide

Learn about starting on the journey of becoming an adoptive parent with this comprehensive step-by-step guide.

Helping Your Child Embrace Their Adoption Story

Discover effective ways to help adopted children embrace and feel empowered by their unique adoption story.

The International Adoption Process

Learn more about how the international adoption process works.