home study

There's no set format that adoption agencies use to conduct home studies. Many agencies include several steps in their home study process, although the specific details and order will vary. For more information, talk with the agencies you are considering.

Canadians have several options for adopting children, including:

• domestic adoption
• private
• through provincial social services
• through Children's Aid Societies (Ontario)
• international

All U.S. states require prosective parents undergo home study. This process evaluates desire and commitment to adopt. Home study also explores reasons for adopting and provides education about adopting. The result is an evaluation for prospective parents.

Home study begins after application to adopt a child has been established (whether through an agency, an attorney/facilitator, or directly to the court in an open/independent adoption).

Open adoption (or independent adoption without an agency) is a good choice for prospective gay and lesbian parents. By eliminating interaction with an agency, you avoid the barriers some create - such as restrictions based on marital status or sexual orientation. You are responsible for finding a birth parent, a social worker, and a judge; and the typical cost begins at $9,000 but can exceed $35,000.

How long will the home study take? How much does a home study cost? What might disqualify our family from adopting?

The Child Welfare Information Gateway takes you through the process.

Adoption
When you become an adoptive parent, you will have the same rights and responsibilities as a biological parent.

Advisement
As required by applicable state law, a birthmother is advised about legal and procedural issues prior to relinquishing her parental rights or consenting to an adoption.

Alleged Birthfather
A man identified by the birthmother as a possible birthfather must have his rights terminated before the baby is free for adoption.

Birthparent
The biological parent of a child.

Structured Analysis Family Evaluation [S.A.F.E.] is a home study methodology that was designed to evaluate families for adoption, foster care licensure, concurrent planning, and relative placement. SAFE is built upon social work practice values that stress the importance of engaging families in a mutual evaluation process that strives to include families, not exclude.