So you have completed the necessary paperwork for the home study process. You are moving along the way on your journey to becoming an adoptive parent. Staying completely focused and connected to the process will help you succeed. You are now at the point of the social worker visiting your home for the interview and home safety assessment process. This can make prospective adoptive parents very nervous, not knowing what to expect. I remember thinking I needed to clean every cupboard and closet, make sure nothing was out of place and have a picture perfect magazine style home. That was not the case at all, yes my home needed to be clean and safe but no one looked inside my closets or ran a white glove along my furniture. So I hope I can put some of your fears and worries aside. Here is what the home study visit/interview may include but is not limited to:
- The social worker will schedule a time when all members of the
family, including any adult household members and children will be home - Your social worker will discuss with you your duty of candor and
duty to disclose honestly all information pertinent to your adoption and personal history and advise you of your duty for on-going disclosure during and after your adoption. - Your social worker will begin by asking you questions about your
adoption plans, what kind of child you wish to adopt, (male or female, a
specific race, a child with special needs, an older child, etc.) and how this will impact your family. What plans do you have after the child is home, why you are choosing to adopt a child, etc. - You will also be asked about your parenting skills and experiences, your beliefs on discipline and what ethics you plan on teaching your child. If you are currently parenting, you will be asked specific information about each child, their age, grade in school, interest, health, development and feelings about adoption.
- The social worker will then explore the social history of each
prospective adoptive parent, including education, employment, their childhood, their relationships with parents, siblings and spouse, support system for the adoption and any interests. If there are any adult household members there will be a brief discussion of their social
history also. - You will also be asked about your marriage (how you met, your
strengths and weakness, how you problem solve and resolve conflicts, etc.) - The social worker will also ask you about your religious beliefs
and any church affiliations. - If you are a single prospective adoptive parent there are certain
questions the social worker will ask concerning your past relationships, plans for providing male and female role models for the adopted child - You will discuss your home and community, the social worker will
want to tour your home and see the yard and discuss any safety issues (swimming pool, smoke alarms, gun locks, fireplaces, etc.) The social worker will ask about services available in your community (medical facilities, educational programs, parks and enrichment opportunities) - Your social worker will then ask you several legal questions concerning your past criminal history, child abuse history, previous home study/adoption experiences. You will be reminded of your duty of candor and honesty.
- You will also need to provide original documents to be verified by
the social worker, such as original marriage certificate, birth certificates. - The social worker will also discuss your adoption education resources and training. Your social worker can recommend books and programs that will help to educate you about adoption and the many different aspects of it.
- There will also be a time for you to ask questions and discuss
your concerns so that you can find the information you need to be as prepared as possible. - Last you will discuss domestic adoption and the many differences
there are depending on your openness. You may discuss what risk factors there are to domestic adoption, child development, how post placement supervision services work, and what the legal process of adoption looks like.
All things considered, you will spend a few hours discussing who you are and what you have to offer to a child with your social worker. As scary as this may seem, it is actually a very enlightening part of the adoption process. It offers you the opportunity to explore your family, your relationships and learn a lot about adoption. You should be yourself, and above all be honest. I remember being so nervous awaiting the arrival of our social worker and by the time she was done and ready to leave we were relaxed and comfortable, more able to convey who we were and what our adoption wishes were.
So stay steadfast with your adoption plans and just as with a tiny seed you plant in the soil, you need to tend to the adoption process daily. You (like that tiny seed) will thrive and grow in your knowledge and understanding of the adoption process if you stay connected to those in the adoption community (your agency, reading adoption related materials, talking with those who have adopted, researching current trends in adoption, etc.) Yes adoption is a journey, it may be a long and hard one, but Theodore Roosevelt once said “Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty…”
If you are interested in adoption and would like to schedule a free no obligation consultation with Anita and Renee, please click on the link below or contact us at 607-756-6574 or
1-800-535-5556 or anita@adoptfamilyconnections.org
Family Connections, Inc., is a not-for-profit, New York State authorized adoption agency
that is Hague Accredited through the Council on Accreditation. The Agency provides home study services for families planning to adopt, throughout New York State, including Syracuse, Binghamton, Rochester, Buffalo, Albany, New York City and all towns in between.
You can also download the Family Connections Magazine below to learn more about adoption.
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