You have the choice of using a private agency to do your home study, or using the state agency that is assigned by the program. Some state agencies contract with private agencies to do your home study. Be sure you ask about this when you have your informational meeting.

There are definite pros and cons to each type of agency. One of the largest differences is money. Private agencies charge a fee for the home study. State agencies generally do not charge any fees, or the fees are covered under the non-recurring... more

Matching means that a social worker has selected you as a potential family for a waiting child. This is the point where you get detailed information on the child, and make your decision as to whether or not the child is a good “match” for your family.

Be prepared to say no

You are ready for a child to enter your home, and join your family. That does not mean that you have to “take” a child that your adoption worker suggests you. Make sure that this a good match for your family. There are other children available,... more

In most states, you are considered a foster parent during the period between placement and finalization. You have all the rights and responsibilities that accompany your foster parent license, but also know that these rights may limit what you can and can not do in regards to your child.

Since you will still be under the supervision of your social services office, or adoption agency, they will need to be consulted or notified of major medical issues. If you need to admit your child to hospital, you will need to notify the office immediately.... more

The adoption application looks like a very simple document, but you will spend time looking for information to add to your application, and documents to attach to it.

Following is a list of some of the things you will need for your application.

Employment history for the last five (at least) years

A reference request will be sent to your current employer, and possibly past employers, depending on the length of employment in your current job. They are looking for things like:

Dependability-... more

When we first began the adoption process 8 years ago, our social worker encouraged us to make a book or photo album for the child who would be entering our home. Things to show him/her what our home was like, what our interests were, what we looked like, etc.

We did this with each of the boys. Mackenzie was a baby, and Hannah already knew us and had been to our house for respite, plus she didn’t know she was coming for an adoptive placement when she came, so only the boys received books.

These are still treasures... more

I received a call a little while ago from Hannah’s first adoptive mother. The judge has signed the permanent guardianship papers.

About a month ago, we were granted temporary guardianship, pending a guardian ad litum being assigned to make sure that we were an appropriate family.

We had followed all the procedures as far as working through an attorney, getting ICPC (Interstate Compact on Placement of Children) permission for Hannah to come here. If you have a child crossing state lines, be sure to get ICPC clearance,... more

We are in the process of having a new home study done so that we can adopt Hannah.

I have had several home studies done for different children, so I am not new to this process.

We are now playing the waiting game. We are waiting for all the records to get to the agency so that we can proceed.There are many records that need to be received. Sammy has been in two residential treatment placements, so the records need to be received from both of them. There is the attachment therapist we have worked with, the psychiatrist,... more

It really happened.

Hubby and I met at lunch at our agency’s office, and we were interviewed. Drugs, Sex, Late nights out? Every question asked and answered – nothing taboo.

We had forms to fill out, separately, in her presence, without talking, so she could see if we were on the same page. We were pretty much. I said I’d take a child under two and a half, he said a child between one and three years old. That was... more

Everyone hold your breath – today is our home study – sort of.

Instead of our home study supervisor coming to our home though, we are going to her for the first meeting. She’ll ask us lots of nosy questions about our parenting, our childhoods, our relationship with each other. If we meet her approval, she’ll come to visit our home sometime next week.

I’m glad this first visit isn’t at home. My family just left and although my mom cleaned and cleaned to leave... more

Our home study has been canceled again. This time due to illness, so it cannot be helped I suppose.

My house has been cleaned from top to bottom twice in the past month. Scrubbed.

Oh well, now its getting so close to Christmas we’ll probably reschedule for January.

I was going to write about each element of the visit and what it was like for us. On this blog I'd share what kinds of questions were asked, and if she opened my underwear drawers, - but those... more