This is the second in
a three-part series about the adoption home study process. Part 1 was posted January 11,
2006.
Think of the adoption home study as a “pre-placement
report.” Similar to the pre-marital counseling required for many couples, the
home study helps prepare you to become an adoptive parent.
The social worker(s) in charge of your home study can (and
should) help you sort through any questions you have about adoption. You will
work with him/her to determine where you stand on “risk factors.” You’ll need
to decide how you feel about:
- Adopting a child whose mother has received little or no
prenatal care - Adopting a child whose mother abused alcohol or drugs during
her pregnancy - Adopting a child whose mother is mentally ill
- Adopting a child whose mother is HIV-positive
- Adopting a child who was abused or neglected
- Adopting a child who has lived in a foster home(s)
- Adopting a child who has lived in an orphanage
- Adopting a child who has learning disabilities or a strong
potential to have disabilities - Adopting a child who has physical or emotional challenges
- Adopting a child who has biological siblings who live with
either the birth parents, in foster care, with a relative or with another
adoptive family - Adopting a child whose birth father cannot be located to
sign relinquishment papers (domestic adoptions) - Retaining contact with the birth family. What degree of
openness are you comfortable with at this point? - Will you exchange identifying information with the birth
family? Identifying information includes last names, addresses, and social
security numbers (I’m kidding on that last one – just checking to see if you’re
still reading!) - Will you exchange letters, e-mails, phone calls and/or
meetings? If so, how often?
What’s on your checklist of “risk factors?” Please list any
I missed in the comments area.
For more information about adoption, visit my Web site, www.laurachristianson.com