Since 2005 I have provided home study and post placement services for both domestic and international adoptions, as well as Hague adoptions. I provide home study services independently and for several adoption agencies. Some of the agencies I contract with are Hague accredited, and therefore I can complete home studies for Hague adoptions. I have worked with all kinds of adoptions, including same-sex couple adoptions, single parent adoptions, step-parent adoptions, domestic, international, Hague, open, semi-open, and closed adoptions.

What is a Home Study?
A home study (sometimes called a pre-placement report) is required for nearly every adoption, and is an important part of the adoption process. A home study consists of an interview and written report of you, your partner, and anyone else who lives in your home. The home study process is completed prior to the placement of an adopted child into your home. The home study will address topics such as your childhood and family upbringing, your career, your current family, your marriage or domestic partnership (if applicable), and why you are pursuing adoption.

The home study process should be an enlightening and educational conversation between you and your social worker. Part of the home study process also includes your social worker providing you with adoption counseling in order to help better prepare you and your partner for the addition of an adopted child into your home.

What information do I need to provide to my social worker?
Several pieces of information are needed from you in order to complete the home study. For example, each prospective adoptive parent needs to provide the social worker with an autobiography. It does not need to be lengthy, but should be a narrative that includes pertinent information such as your childhood and upbringing, your current marriage or domestic partnership, and your current family (including children, if applicable). Each prospective adoptive parent also needs to provide the social worker with documents including, but not limited to: a current medical physical, information to conduct a criminal background check, reference letters, prior divorce decrees, and financial statements.

For a more comprehensive and detailed list of the documents needed, please feel free to contact me directly.

What is a Post Placement Visit?
At least one post placement visit is necessary for all adoptions. Post placement visits are completed by your social worker. The intervals at which the post placement visits are conducted and the number of post placement visits required, depend on the state and country from which the child is being adopted. If you are using an adoption agency for the placement of your child, post placement visits may also vary depending on the requirements of your placing agency. Typically between one and three post placements are required, and typically all of the post placements are completed within the first year of the child being adopted.

What is a Home Study Update?
An update is required if information provided in the original home study has expired prior to the finalization of the adoption. Typically, such information expires after one year. This includes information such as background clearances, physicals, a geographical move, or any other major family change, which may affect the adoption such as birth of a child, a major medical diagnosis, separation, divorce, or death. Your social worker will provide more information to you regarding the home study update and what all is involved.