Every child deserves a good home...

The laws of every state require all prospective adoptive parents to participate in a homestudy. This process has three purposes: to educate and prepare the adoptive family for adoption, to gather information about the prospective adoptive parents that will help the agency or other intermediary match the family with a child whose needs they can meet, and to evaluate the fitness of the adoptive family. Your Adoption Home Study will be conducted by a licensed clinical social worker.

We can simplify a complicated process...

The adoption homestudy process can be a source of anxiety for some prospective parents, who may fear they will not be "approved". It may be helpful to remember that adoption agencies are not looking for perfect parents. Rather, they are looking for real parents to parent real children. With accurate information about the adoption process, prospective parents can face the home study experience with confidence and the excitement that should accompany the prospect of welcoming a child into the family.

Although the adoption home study process may seem invasive or lengthy, it is conducted to help you decide whether adoption is right for your family, to prepare your family for adoption, and to help your family determine which child you could best parent. The process also serves to ensure children are placed in loving, caring, healthy, and safe environments.

Flexibility and a sense of humor are vital characteristics when raising children and they can be useful during the adoption home study process as well. With perseverance and a positive outlook, you will be able to team with the social worker to make this a valuable learning experience—one that will help you do the best possible job in parenting the child who will eventually join your family.