Adoption Questions - Perrysville,IN

We have had 2 home studies and I felt just like you on our 1st one! I was so calm on our 2nd because I knew what to expect. The "home inspection" part of the home study is such a small part. Any clean home that is in good shape will be fine. The only thing we did have to get was a fire extinguisher and create a fire escape plan. They will make sure meds and cleaning supplies are up and there is a bed for the child. They also make sure there is running water and toilets that flush. The big part of the homestudy is questions and paperwork. We had to have alot more paperwork the 2nd time than we did the 1st so I think it has to do with who completes your homestudy. The 2nd time we had to have our marriage license, pet records for our dog, a fire inspection, well water tests, local, state and federal background checks and fingerprints, physicals for all of us, drivers abstracts, insurance cards for our vehicles and 3 references. I would not stress out, save your self the worry! You will be fine! Best wishes!

Does DCF have custody? If so they should do the home study. If not you will probably have to pay for it.
All they really want to know is if you will take proper care of the child and give him what he needs. Don't worry, they will help you.
We went through this fifteen years ago, trying to adopt a child we already had in our home because the birthmother did not want her. We were nervous, but the people who did our homestudy walked us through it and I am sure yours will also.
Kudos to you for taking on another child.
L.

A home study isn't a big deal. They are much more concerned with you, the people who live in the home, then the actual building. Cleanliness is not what they're looking for. They want to see that the home is in good working order, nothing danger, peeling paint, broken steps or floor boards, exposed wires, etc..

My husband just adopted my son so we just went through this process. Pretty much what they are looking for is dangers in the house to that child/others. ya know loose wires, nasty house, ect.ect. they will look in your fridge and pantrys to make sure you have food in there. basically they will than sit and ask a million and one questions (like your adopting a kid you dont know) and be on their way

I actually used to do home studies for another agency. It may seem scary, but just be yourself. The agency just wants to be sure that you have a stable, safe, and loving home. Be genuine and real- if you try to be something you are not, it will make them wonder what you are hiding. They will ask you all about your family, your marriage, how you handle discipline, etc. They will want to see your enitre house, including where the child's room will be. If it will help you to feel more prepared, have a friend come over and look at your house with a separate pair of eyes. They may notice things you don't see ("is that the best place to store your scissors?" "Should you really store medicine sitting out on the kitchen counter?")
Relax and good luck to you. I am sure that it will all work out.

We have 2 adopted children. We went through the process 2 times.Please relax. I would do cleaning yes but They are there just to make sure that the child will be in a safe and loving environment. DON'T STRESS, really.I to stressed both times and the whole process takes about 1/2 hour.They may not even look through your home or they may want to see where the child will sleep etc.. They may want to know your back gorund along with your husbands. How the family will feel about the adoption and just talk with you. Please again just relax and just be honest about the love you have for the child. It will be ok, good luck.

Make sure you read all the paper work and do whatever it says. They are just making sure that your home is a safe place for a child. They won't get white gloves out and inspect your ability to clean. I was really stressed about it also and I'm sure it depends on your social worker but ours was more about getting to know us as a family than it was about our home.

No worries... we adopted from Russia,needed a home study and several follow up visits. It is all common sense. For us the home study agency asked for letters of reference from a few close friends, they do a background check, fingerprints and in your home it is just common sense stuff- batteries in smoke detectors, a fire escape plan, emergency numbers posted on the fridge, and they will be checking to see that you have the space for the new child.

Relax.. it will be fine

Several things: 1. SAFETY - make sure dangerous chemicals, including cleaning products are not out in the open or where he can easily get them. EVEN at NINE, kids do WEIRD things and you need to make sure the home is SAFE. They will look inside AND out.

2. They want them to have their own room and a place of their own w/ closet, etc. It should be "equipped" with age appropriate books, toys, etc.

3. They'll want to know the rules of the home. They will ask HIM, not you. They'll ask HIM how things are handled ins given situations.

4. They will ask the child "What is the best thing about......." you and/or your husband. They want to know what kinds of bond you have, etc. i.e. if the child says, "Because she buys me things" or something of that nature, they KNOW it's not about the relationship.

Hope this helps.

If you are a pretty functional home, that is pretty clean, and have a bed, a room, shared or otherwise, dresser...that sort of thing for your nephew, the homestudy is scarier sounding than it is. THey ask questions about your past, (husband, wife) and some of those type thing but when we had ours done it was by far scarier before hand than anything. They want to get to know you and your family and how the family interacts, if there is conflict those type things. THey also will want to see the rooms of the house. We lived in an apt when we had our first one done, (we've adopted 2x). And it wasn't an upscale apt either. Be honest, be yourself, and most likely you will be fine. They asked a few financial questions, but most were about how my husband and my relationship was, and our family histories, stuff like that. As I have said the anticipation was FAR worse than the actual homestudy.
Good luck to you.

As long as your home is reasonably clean there shouldn't be a problem. Just act normal.
I have a question for you, though, how much is it costing you to adopt him? I need to adopt my grandson but the last time I spoke to someone about it they told me it would cost me $2000.00 and I just can't pay it. He has lived with all of his life, his last name is the same as mine, he has always been my tax deduction, it is just a formality for insurance purposes and I am wondering why they feel they need to involve a social worker for up to a year when they haven't bothered to bring one in before. Just curious.

You've received some very good advice already, so I'll refrain from giving you any more. I just want to let you now that I'm sure you will do well, and that your love and guidance are the most important things in this equation. Try to take deep breaths and be yourselves. The case workers know that their interviews are stressful for the adoptive parents, and they are very understanding about nervous laughter, and other manifestations of that stress.

I know you will do well, and that your love for your nephew will shine through during your home study.

You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Hi T.,
My home study wasnt' as scary as I thought it would be when I was adopting my daughter. One thing to note is you are getting advice from people in other states and each state has different rules when it comes to adopting.

Another thing to note is agencies want kids to be placed in homes. You will find the social workers will be a help to you in your adoption process.

Cleaning and having chemicals put away are things they look for. He will not have to have his own room. He can share a room with another male as long as he has his own bed, dresser and a space in the room that is his.

I can't tell you not to be nervous because I know you will but try to relax. My adoption coordiator told me to have a snack and bottled water or soda for the social worker. I had 2 social workers for my home study because 1 was in training but they were really nice and made me feel comfortable in my own home. :)

Another piece of advice my adoption coordinater gave me was if you have kids don't put all of the toys away. Let them now you have kids just make things tidy. Good luck and your nephew is very lucky to have an Aunt who cares about his future. If you have more questions just let me know. T.

To T. Mom, Don't worry. The Villages came to my house for my final adoption home study. I adopted 3 little boys that I had fostered foe 2 1/2years. They just want to make sure he is being placed in a loving home, has a bed to sleep in and will be safe. If you have any questions or concerns you may contact me at ____@____.com luck and you will be in my thoughts and prayers.