What Does A "Home Study" Really Require?

Some of our friends and family have asked what is a Home Study and why does it take so long. Well, here is a list of what we've been working on from step one until present day and beyond:

- Deciding if we were ready to pursue an adoption. 
This is a tricky question to ask yourself. Are we ready to be parents? Yes! All we know is that we have love in our hearts to share and truly want to be parents. 

- Finding the right avenue to take
This step took time as we did a lot of research into whether using an agency or a private attorney was best for us. We interviewed 4 attorneys and 3 agencies before choosing Adoption STAR (agency). They are a small, family owned and operated non-profit organization that focuses on finding homes for children not children for homes. They truly care about creating open adoptions so that all parents involved are educated and respected. This is so important to us. As we want to be involved in a situation where all parents can work together in the best interest of the child. 

- What is a 'Home Study' and it's requirements?
It's a TON of paperwork. But it's also much more. So far, we have gathered the following required documents:

• 2 certified copies of our birth certificates 
• 2 copies of our marriage license
• 3 non-family member references who will be asked to complete a survey about us
• Most recent evidence of employment and proof of past employment going back 5 years: W-2, 4O1K, Employer verification
• Bank statements
• List of all debt and monthly expenses
• Signed sworn statement that we have never been convicted of a crime
• Proof of insurance
• Lengthy autobiography (life story) of each of us
• State Central Registration Form: Providing month/year of every address we have lived at (individually and together) going back 28 years
• Child abuse investigation forms
• FBI fingerprinting background check 
• Signed sworn statement indicating if we own firearms (we do not)
• Copies of: Driver's License, Passport and Social Security Card
• Full medical clearance including: Physicals/Check-ups, Vision Check-up, and letters from any specialists stating our ability to care for a child. 

All of this required paperwork took time to acquire. Not to mention all of the doctor's appointments in order to get the necessary clearances. But all SO VERY worth it!

- Required 'Home Study' Education:

• 2 Day Adoption Workshop - Which will encompass teaching us about how to respectfully raise a child born to someone else. And teach us how to keep everyone connected and open with each other. 
• Lots of reading - several books (6) regarding open adoption pre-placement and post-placement
• CPR - Infant CPR, First Aid, and Choking certification
• Newborn and Infant care classes

- Social Worker visits:

Once we get all the above completed (which will be done by the end of September!!!), a Social Worker will come to our home to interview us together and separate & "walk-through" our house. Since this hasn't happened yet, we can't write from experience. But we are told the Social Worker will verify:

• All paperwork is in order 
• Classes have been completed
• Statements regarding us and our relationship are correct
• Home is a safe environment: safe neighborhood, clean, baby-proofed, etc. 
• Nursery is ready with necessary items for a baby
• Smoke detecters, carbon monoxide detecters and fire extinguishers are in working order

At that point, if all goes well, we will be approved to move forward. This means we will be eligible for Birth Parents to consider us in their adoption plan for their baby. 

We are overwhelmed with excitement and trying to practice patience. Feeling very strongly that all will happen in it's time. And that whomever is meant to join our family will find us. We just have to make sure that we're ready - 'Home Study' ready. Because in our hearts, we already love him/her so very deeply.