Home Study Process

1. Application and Background Checks

• Initial Application: Prospective adoptive parents must complete an application that includes personal, financial, and family information.
• Background Checks: All adults in the household undergo criminal background checks, child abuse and neglect registry checks, and sometimes fingerprinting. These checks are to ensure that the child will be placed in a safe environment.

2. Interviews

• Individual Interviews: The social worker will conduct interviews with each household member, including the prospective adoptive parents and any children. This helps assess the dynamics, relationships, and readiness of the family.
• Joint Interviews: The social worker may also conduct interviews with the prospective parents together to understand their relationship and mutual commitment to adoption.

3. Home Inspection

• Safety Evaluation: The social worker will visit the home to evaluate its safety. They will check for things like working smoke detectors, safe storage of medications and firearms, and general cleanliness.
• Space for the Child: The home must have adequate space for the child, including a designated bedroom. It doesn’t have to be large or luxurious, but it must be safe and suitable for a child.

4. Financial Assessment

• Financial Stability: The home study includes a review of the family’s financial stability. This doesn’t mean that adoptive parents have to be wealthy, but they need to demonstrate that they can financially support a child.
• Proof of Income: Prospective parents may need to provide proof of income, such as pay stubs or tax returns, to verify their financial situation.

5. Health Evaluations

• Medical Reports: Adoptive parents may need to provide medical reports to ensure they are physically and mentally healthy enough to care for a child.
• Health Insurance: Proof of health insurance may also be required to ensure that the child will have access to medical care.

6. References

• Personal References: The social worker will ask for personal references from friends, family, or colleagues who can vouch for the prospective parents’ character, parenting abilities, and readiness to adopt.

7. Parenting Education

• Pre-Adoption Training: Indiana requires prospective adoptive parents to complete pre-adoption training. This training covers topics like parenting an adopted child, dealing with trauma, and understanding the legal aspects of adoption.

8. Home Study Report

• Comprehensive Report: After completing the assessment, the social worker compiles a detailed report summarizing their findings. The report includes a recommendation regarding the prospective parents’ suitability to adopt.
• Review and Approval: The report is submitted to the adoption agency or the court for review. If approved, the family is considered eligible to adopt.

9. Post-Placement Visits

• Follow-Up Visits: After the child is placed in the home, the social worker conducts several follow-up visits to ensure the child is adjusting well and that the family is providing a suitable environment. These visits are part of the ongoing assessment before the adoption is finalized.

10. Finalization

• Court Approval: Once all requirements are met, including a positive home study and successful post-placement visits, the adoption can be finalized in court. The judge issues an adoption decree, making the child legally part of the family.