Topics Discussed in the Home Study

There are a variety of topics addressed in the home study. Since some applicants prefer to express themselves in writing, you have the option of addressing these topics in writing, and then discussing them with your social worker. The following are samples of topic discussed in the home study:

Adoption

What kind of child do you want to adopt - age, race, sex?
What are your reason(s) for adopting right now and how did you come to the decision to adopt?
Discuss infertility if applicable
How have you educated yourself about adoption?
How will you discuss adoption with your child as he or she grows up?
What are your feelings about birth parents?
If you are adopting transracially or transculturally, how will you assure that your child's heritage and culture are respected?
How will you deal with being a minority family?

Parenting

What are the values you want to teach your child?
How will you discipline your child?
If you are already parenting a child, what is your philosophy of limit setting and discipline?

Marriage

If you are married, where and when did you meet, and what attracted you to your partner?
What has kept your relationship strong and healthy?
How do you resolve conflict?
What challenges have you faced as a couple?

Individual Information

Where were you born and where did you grow up?
What are your parents, siblings doing and where do they live?
What is your current relationship with them?
How do they feel about your adoption plan?
What were the values you learned from your family, what was the emotional climate, is there anything you want to do differently with your own children?
Describe your early childhood up through the teen years, including education, social life, activities, and hobbies.
When did you graduate from high school?
What came next in terms of education and career?
Where are you employed now and what do you do?
What are your hobbies and interests?
Have you been married before and what were the circumstances of the divorce?
How do you generally deal with stressful situations in your life?
Talk about any difficult issue you may have faced growing up.
If you have been or are currently working with a mental health counselor, discuss how it has been helpful to you.
If you have been arrested, explain the circumstances.
If you have been involved with drugs or alcohol, explain what interventions you have used to combat the problem.

Religious Beliefs

...And how you will raise your child. It is not necessary to have any formal religious affiliation.

Child Care Plans

It is perfectly acceptable to work full-time. It is important, however, to have thought about the most appropriate child care situation for your child.

Financial Situation

You have to demonstrate that you have enough money to raise a child and afford adoption expenses.