The Homestudy

by Scott Hamilton, Esquire

Prospective adoptive parents who are going through the adoption process are involved in many of the same activities as biological parents preparing for a new arrival. The adoptive couple prepares the room, accumulates all the necessary baby items, and for some cost-conscious fathers, determines the amount of tax deduction allowed on their next filing. For adoptive couples, however, there are a few preliminary activities that are unique to adoptions, such as the homestudy. In this article we will briefly focus on the homestudy that is required before the placement of a child into an adoptive couple's home.

Regulations

Adoptions are regulated by State Statutes, and certain laws or codes may tend to vary from state to state. The requirement of a homestudy, and each element of that study, may also vary. One fact that does remain constant in a majority of the states, is that a homestudy must be completed prior to placement of the child in the adoptive couple's care. The public policy behind the requirement for a completed homestudy is that the State has an interest in ensuring that children who are placed for adoption are placed in homes that can provide adequately for their needs. The Court wants to be assured that the children are not placed into a situation where their needs are neglected, and where they are subject to potential abuse. A majority of couples that submit to a homestudy, however, are approved for placement without any complications.

The Case Worker

In most states this study must be conducted by a licensed adoption agency or an individual licensed by the state to perform them. This must be completed prior to the placement of the child with the adoptive parents. Acompleted application and questionnaire are usually required prior to any contact between the adoptive couple and the individual or agency managing it. The case worker gathers information on the adoptive couple and checks for child abuse and criminal records with the appropriate law enforcement agencies and child abuse registry. This verifies whether there have been any criminal conduct or child abuse complaints. Once these checks are returned, the agency or individual case worker will arrange for a home visit in the adoptive couple's home. Their goal is to insure that there are sufficient facilities to provide for the needs of the child. The requirements of this homestudy may vary greatly from state to state. In Florida, the case worker needs to be assured that there are adequate facilities and provisions to provide for the physical needs of the child. Prior to the birth and/or placement of the child, personal interviews in the office or at a mutually convenient location with the case worker will be arranged. This is to allow the case worker an opportunity to have a candid conversation with the adoptive couple and to answer any questions concerning the their perspective on adoption and the future plans for providing for the child. The exact number of visits may vary from agency to agency, and is dependent on the amount of time before the placement and/or due date. Any prior contact between the agency and this couple is also a factor in determining the number of pre-placement visits, however two visits prior to birth/placement are normal. The post-placement visits must be executed and the favorable report submitted to the court before the finalization can take place. This usually occurs no later than ninety days after the birth/placement of the child.

Adopt This View

Some adoptive couples view the homestudy as a total stranger's invasion into their private world. It is true that the case worker has access to information about the adoptive couple that may not otherwise be released; however, much of the information gathered during the homestudy process is in no way condemning. Rather, the data obtained usually confirms that the adoptive couple is more than able to provide a healthy and spiritually conducive environment for a new child. My suggestion to adoptive couples going through the homestudy process is to view it as a necessary inconvenience that will lead to a lifetime of blessing! ~Scott