The Adoption Homestudy
Necessary Evil or
Helpful Experience?By Michele St. Martin
Do your homework. If you want to adopt internationally, learn what you can about the country or countries you are interested in, children available for adoption and the adoption process. If you're interested in domestic adoption, learn about degrees of openness and what they entail. This is information you'll want to know, and your social worker will understand that you are committed and serious prospective parents. The purpose of a homestudy is two-fold: to assess your readiness for adopting a child and for the social worker to educate you about adoption in general and specifics as they apply to your situation. It's very rare for someone to receive an unfavorable homestudy, though reasons might include a serious criminal record (especially one involving a conviction for any sort of abuse or violent act), one of the potential parents being less than enthusiastic about adoption or lying to the social worker. Don't put all of your energy into cleaning the house! We know of no law that requires adoptive parents to pass a white glove test or anyone who's been turned down because there are fingerprints on their oven door. If you aren't comfortable talking about yourself, prepare by sitting down and writing a brief autobiography. If you have any skeletons in your closet, be prepared to let them out, especially if it is or has been a matter of public record. Don't rely on records that have supposedly been expunged. Things have a way of slipping through the cracks, and social workers would rather find out from you about that 10-year-old DUI or teenage shoplifting offense than to discover it during a routine background check. You'll score points if you bring this up and discuss the changes you've made in your life since then. Remember, the social worker has a love for children and a deep commitment to adoption or she wouldn't be in this line of work. Relax and be yourself. You aren't the first imperfect or nervous potential parent and you won't be the last. * Last name withheld to protect privacy.
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