The home study unnerved me the most during my first adoption – after all I had looked at this person as the “one” who would say I was fit or unfit to parent a child. I think EVER inch of my house was cleaned and my yard looked picture perfect. During my second and third adoption – I had the amazing experience of a wonderful social worker who talked and worked as a team with my husband and I! I guess the use of the Internet really paid off in that case (I had posted and asked about a local home study coordinator) and was directed to this wonderful person.

There are a few things everyone needs to remember about the home study --- your agency may have policies and procedures in place for you to only use their on staff or screened providers. Hopefully this is not the case – so you can research and get the best price and service and more importantly – the best “match” for your family. I truly believe for my experience – it is best to speak with and call around to find someone that fits for you and your family. After all, with Kazakhstan – you’ll be doing post placement reports for 3 years – so this relationship – is an important step.

If you are able to select your own home study accessor – please take a moment and read the guidelines at the USCIS web site about what is needed in a home study. Your accessor should have these key components – but I feel the more you know – the better off you are. I took an active role in each and every step of the process and tried to read and understand as much as I could. Just as you kept the I-600A time frame and fingerprints in mind – also keep in mind that the home study must not be more than six months “old” when you submit it. Typically this is not an issue, it occurred when we update our home study for one country and then switch to another country.

What should you expect to answer during your home study? Well – we can go back to what the USCIS HAS to have in there report and it will give you a good indication of what the social worker will need to know from you:

· an in-person interview and home visit with the prospective adoptive parent(s). All other adult members of the prospective parents’ household must also be interviewed

· a factual evaluation of the physical, mental, and emotional capabilities of the prospective adoptive parent(s) as well as other adult members of the household

· a detailed description of the finances of the prospective adoptive parent(s), including but not limited to, income, debts, expenses and the costs of supporting other members of the family

· a detailed description of the prospective adoptive parent(s)’ living conditions

· if applicable, a detailed description of the prospective adoptive parent(s)’ ability to provide proper care for a disabled orphan

· a description of counseling provided to the prospective adoptive parent(s) or plans for post-placement counseling

· specific assessment of how the above factors would affect the prospective adoptive parent(s)’ ability to care for an adopted child, the number of orphans that they may adopt, and any restrictions on the children that should be placed with them

· a check of child abuse records, and inquiries into substance abuse, child or sexual abuse and/or domestic violence. These checks and inquiries must relate to each adult member of the prospective parents’ household. The results of these checks and inquiries must be noted in the home study

· if there were any previous rejections for adoptions or if an unfavorable home study was ever prepared regarding any adult member of the prospective parents’ household, explanations must be obtained

· a criminal history of each adult in the prospective parents’ household, including expungements and juvenile arrests

· failure to disclose an arrest and/or conviction, history of any substance abuse, sexual or child abuse, or domestic violence may result in a denial of the advance processing application or orphan petition

Although the list of information needed can seem alarming – just remember to answer open and honestly and it all falls into place. And I PROMISE – one day – when you have your sweet little child in your arms – this will all be so forgotten and you’ll be a parent.