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This is a document that contains the story of your life: your family and marital
history, your health, your financial situation, etc. It includes a description
of your home and neighborhood, as well as personal references and discussion
of any health concerns or criminal record. It also details your family relationships
and your feelings about adoption, parenting, and infertility, if applicable.
If the thought of opening up your life to a stranger makes you squeamish, you're
not alone. People often worry that they will be found ineligible to adopt. In
reality, it's rare for a home study to end with a negative recommendation. While
the process may seem invasive, remember that the goal is to make sure
children are placed in homes where they'll be loved and protected. Use
the home study process to educate yourself about adoption.
In general, the home study is a social worker's written evaluation, based on
interviews with you during at least one visit to the home. If you use a lawyer
to adopt independently, you will probably use an agency or an independent,
state-licensed social worker for the home study.
If you adopt internationally via an agency in a state other than your own, you
will have to use a home study agency or professional who is licensed in your
home state. (Moses, L., Surviving the Home Study, 2009)
I provide adoption home studies and post-placement supervision for families
who are adopting domestically or internationally within the South Louisiana
area. I will coordinate with your adoption agency in order to meet all of
their specific requirements and will assist you in working through all areas
of your adoption, which can be overwhelming at times. I also specialize in
treating adoption-related issues, including attachment problems,
in psychotherapy.