To successfully complete a home study investigation, prospective adoptive parents must complete an array of tasks, including:
Face-to-Face Interviews of the prospective adoptive parent(s), children in the home, and adult household members (persons living in the home age 18 years and older) by an adoption Social Worker. The number of interviews is determined by the specific requirements of the family’s planned adoption.
Home Visit(s) / Home Safety Assessment will be conducted by an adoption Social Worker to ensure the prospective adoptive family’s home is suitable and safe for a child(ren). The number of home visits is determined by the specific requirements of the adoption.
Child Abuse and Maltreatment History Reports (aka child abuse clearances) must be acquired from each state and country from which the prospective adoptive parent(s) and adult household members have lived for the past five years for all adoptions except adoptions from a Hague Convention Country which requires reports from each state and country in which the prospective adoptive parents and adult household members have lived since their 18th birthdays.
Criminal History Reports (aka criminal clearances) must be obtained from the New York State Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and any country from which the prospective adoptive parent(s) and adult household members have lived for the past five years for all adoptions except adoptions from a Hague Convention Country which requires reports from each state and country in which the prospective adoptive parents and adult household members have lived since their 18th birthdays.
Medical Reports for the prospective adoptive parent(s), adult household members, and children in the home must be provided to the home study provider.
An Analysis of the Financial Resources of the prospective adoptive family will be conducted. The prospective adoptive parent(s)’ must provide proof of income, assets and liabilities. They must also indicate their monthly net income and monthly liabilities. In addition, proof of health insurance and life insurance is required.
The Adoptive Parent(s)’ Birth, Marriage, and Divorce (if any) must be verified. The prospective adoptive parents must provide their birth certificates, their marriage certificate and divorce decrees (if any) to the home study provider.
Adoption Questionnaires will be completed by the prospective adoptive parents. The questionnaires explore the family’s understanding and preparedness for the adoption process and for parenting an adopted child.
The Adoptive Parent(s)’ Family, Education, Employment, Martial, and Parenting History will be explored by the adoption Social Worker.
Personal References from individuals (not family members) who have known the prospective adoptive family for a long period of time are required. A minimum of three positive references must be provided.
Adoption Training will be completed by the prospective adoptive parents. The adoption Social Worker will assess each family's specific trianing needs. The Social Worker may provide one-on-one personal training for the prospective adoptive family and/or refer the family to group classroom training and/or require them to complete on-line coursework. In addition, the Social Worker will provide the family with a suggested reading list of relevant adoption literature and refer the family to local adoption support networks. For families adopting a child(ren) from a Hague Convention Country, they will be required to complete a minimum of ten hours of training as required by the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption.
Family Connections, Inc. is an authorized New York State adoption agency that provides home study investigation services for families adopting domestically or internationally. To learn more about the agency's services, please contact Renee or Anita at 1-800-535-5556 or renee@adoptfamilyconnections.org. To learn more about home study investigations, please download the agency's Free Adoption Home Study Guide by clicking below.
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