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We at MyHomeStudy.org want to make the home study process as easy and stress-free as possible. By explaining the home study process to families, it helps eliminate some of the fears that may be associated with the process. No longer do social workers perform the "white glove" test, but rather, their function is to help you prepare for your child. Our network of adoption professionals will educate you in the adoption process in addition to writing your home study. The following are some general questions and answers that should help you with the overall process.
1. Just what IS a Home Study?
2. What documents do I need to provide our social worker?
3. How long does it take to get a Home Study?
4. What about a Home Study for an international adoption? Is it different?
5. What is a Home Study Update?
6. What is a Home Study Post Placement Report?
7. What does a Home Study cost?
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1. Just what IS a Home Study?
A home study is an overview of you and your family. The study identifies all adults living in your home as well as any minor children. Since a home study is required for adopting a child, it gives a comprehensive history of you and your family and contains important information on your ability to parent a child. The following items may be covered: child requested for adoption, motivation and readiness to adopt, understanding adoption, background information on the adoptive mother and father, marital history, child rearing experience, child care plans, guardianship plans, employment and economic situation, health of the parents, home and community information, criminal records and child abuse history. The home study process includes at least one home visit, possibly more, and sometimes includes office visits. Each social worker or home study or adoption agency has its own requirements as does the state where you reside. If you are adopting from overseas, the sending country also has its own requirements. Most importantly, however, a home study approves you to adopt a child.
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2. What documents do I need to provide our social
worker?
You need to provide vital records such as birth, marriage, divorce, and death certificates. You'll also need to provide health exams, financial statements, tax returns, criminal clearances, child abuse clearances, and employment verification. In addition, each state has its own additional requirements. Your social worker will be able to assist you with each phase of the home study process.
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3. How long does it take to get a Home Study?
Generally the home study process can be completed in approximately three months. That depends on how quickly you have your documents ready for your social worker.
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4. What about a Home Study for an international adoption? Is it different?
Yes, it is. You should carefully choose an adoption professional who has experience writing international home studies and with experience with the country you plan to adopt from. Because your child will be immigrating to the U.S., there is an additional component that involves pre-approving your child by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS", formerly INS). USCIS requires that home studies for international adoption be written by a licensed home study or adoption agency, not by an independent social worker. MyHomeStudy allows you to choose the right type of adoption professional for your adoption.
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5. What is a Home Study Update?
An update is required if any major life change has occurred at any time while you are waiting for your child's adoption to be finalized or if your home study has expired and needs to be updated to meet state requirements. Examples of major life changes are: change of residence; marriage, death or divorce; change of employment; birth of a child. Basically, your home study needs to stay current.
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6. What is a Home Study Post Placement Report?
A post-placement report is written by your social worker after you adoption has been finalized. Its purpose is to determine how you and your child are adjusting. A post placement report can be required by your state of residence and/or by the country of adoption. The total number of post-placement reports required varies by state and country.
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7. What does a Home Study cost?
Home study fees vary by agency and by state and/or country of adoption. Generally they run between $500 and $3,000. MyHome Study network of professionals can provide you with competitive rates.
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Copyright 2006 My Homestudy LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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