What is a Home Study?

Virtually all adoptions will require a home study prior to placement of the child(ren). The home study has three basic purposes:

It helps prepare the adoptive family
Many couples feel that they can love a new child and want to adopt. It often proves very helpful for a home study professional to discuss the adjustments a family faces as they prepare to welcome a new addition. These subjects range from a discussion of your own childhood experiences, plans for child care and disciplinary strategies for the future. Such a discussion is usually a welcome relief to parents in assuring them that they are ready for parenthood and have planned effectively for their new child(ren).

It serves as a formal record for the State and other regulatory bodies
The State of Louisiana requires a home study to be filed as part of the formal adoption process. For international adoptions, the home study also becomes part of the application process with Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS), the child placing agency and the foreign ministries that coordinate the adoption. We are a licensed Louisiana agency and maintain a good working knowledge of the home study requirements by all regulatory entities.

It serves as an important record during the
adoption hearing
Put yourself in the shoes of the Judge/Government officials. Having never met you and knowing very little about you, the Judge must make an effective and informed decision about the future welfare of each child that is under their care. This is a very challenging decision. The home study serves as a formal court document that advises the judge that you have been visited in your home. It verifies that you can provide a safe, healthy environment. Just imagine what the Judge's job would be without a home study document.

BASIC OUTLINE OF A HOME STUDY
The home study usually takes place over two separate meetings at your home. It is meant to be a relaxed, realistic look at your preparations to become parents. The study involves the following basic components:

A tour of your home - this is a simple observation as to the number of bedrooms, bathrooms and general living space. We are NOT going to look in any closets. You need not give the house a "super-spring" cleaning (feel free to withhold this fact from your husband if it proves useful…ha!)

Discussions with each parent - these will occur with you as a couple and with each of you individually. There is no "pop quiz" or difficult questions. You will be asked about your background in terms of the type of family environment in which you were raised and the environment you plan to make for your new family. A conversation of this type takes time; but is very relaxed and informal.

Supporting documentation is gathered as part of a routine home study, such as adoptive parent's physical examinations, reference letters, criminal background checks, child abuse and neglect registry check, copies of birth certificates and marriage license, etc.

WHAT OTHER COUPLES HAVE TO SAY
ABOUT HOME STUDIES
Click here for a few testimonials from other LA couples that have been through this experience.

Other Online Resources
Click here for some additional online resources.

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