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| OHIO HOMESTUDY |
Adoption homestudy
The homestudy is a detailed written report of your family stating that the family is approved to raise an adopted
child whether you choose a domestic or international adoption; you are required to have a home study completed
by a state-licensed agency. It is usually completed after several interviews with social worker.
The homestudy requires the prospective adoptive family to gather different documents, answer several questions, and explore
their reasons for adopting. Through a series of visits and interviews the social worker can get a complete picture of who you are
and what life is like in your family. The home study is a part of the decision making process for both the prospective family and
the workers. Not only can the home study help the worker place a child into your home who would best fit into your family, but
help the family and the worker decide if now is a good time for your family to adopt.
Bellow is the list of requirements for the homestudy. Each homestudy packet is different, as they vary from state
to state, but some may include:
Autobiography/Family Background-Some social workers will have a detailed list of questions that the agency would want
answered. These questions are typically about your family past and present, how you feel about discipline, your fondest childhood
memory, to your greatest fears. We enjoyed this process as we learned so much about each other and ourselves.
Neighborhood/Community/Schools-Be prepared to describe your environment. What is your school system like? Which
schools will your child/ren attend? Do you have a relationship with your neighbors?
Physical health - You may need a physical/health exam and/or a Tuberculosis (TB) test or chest x-ray. The social worker will be
interested in hearing how you have any health issues under control. Be prepared to explain how these health issues will or will not
effect your ability to care for a child. There shouldn't be a problem with you adopting unless you have a serious health problem
that affects your life expectancy.
Financial Statements- You must be able to show that you can care for an addition person(s) with your current income. Be
prepared to verify your income with paycheck stubs, W-4, or income tax forms 1040 or 1040 EZ. You may also need to show
information on your savings, insurance coverage, investments, and debts. You may also have to fill out a worksheet of your bills
such as mortgage or rent payments, car payments, and charge accounts.
Criminal Clearances-Most states require by law criminal record and child abuse record checks. Misdemeanors from long ago
along with a good explanation of your behavior are usually not held against you. Felony convictions of any charge involving
children or illegal substances will most likely not be allowed children or illegal substances will most likely not be allowed.
References-You will need three or four a letters of recommendation. Choose people who have known you for several years and
know your family. They should be familiar with you and have seen you in a variety of situations; with children, your spouse, etc.
References will not keep you from adopting unless workers receive several negative comments, or a reference has brought up
questionable criminal record.
Interviews-The interviews are a time for the workers to go over your paperwork, learn more about you, clarify anything in your
autobiography and see that your home is a safe and healthy place for a child. The worker will tour your home and will want to see
the child's room. If you haven't already discussed it, you may want to have a safety plan in place in case of fires or other natural
disasters. Be honest and show your personality, a sense of humor is always a good thing to have, especially when
parenting.
Families with children- Occasionally agency will have the children write a statement about their feelings toward adoption. If
they are too young, they may be asked to draw a picture including the new child/ren in their family. They will be involved in
interviews, and may meet with the social worker individually.
Always, please feel free e-mail us or call us with any questions. We look forward to working with you.
The homestudy is a detailed written report of your family stating that the family is approved to raise an adopted
child whether you choose a domestic or international adoption; you are required to have a home study completed
by a state-licensed agency. It is usually completed after several interviews with social worker.
The homestudy requires the prospective adoptive family to gather different documents, answer several questions, and explore
their reasons for adopting. Through a series of visits and interviews the social worker can get a complete picture of who you are
and what life is like in your family. The home study is a part of the decision making process for both the prospective family and
the workers. Not only can the home study help the worker place a child into your home who would best fit into your family, but
help the family and the worker decide if now is a good time for your family to adopt.
Bellow is the list of requirements for the homestudy. Each homestudy packet is different, as they vary from state
to state, but some may include:
Autobiography/Family Background-Some social workers will have a detailed list of questions that the agency would want
answered. These questions are typically about your family past and present, how you feel about discipline, your fondest childhood
memory, to your greatest fears. We enjoyed this process as we learned so much about each other and ourselves.
Neighborhood/Community/Schools-Be prepared to describe your environment. What is your school system like? Which
schools will your child/ren attend? Do you have a relationship with your neighbors?
Physical health - You may need a physical/health exam and/or a Tuberculosis (TB) test or chest x-ray. The social worker will be
interested in hearing how you have any health issues under control. Be prepared to explain how these health issues will or will not
effect your ability to care for a child. There shouldn't be a problem with you adopting unless you have a serious health problem
that affects your life expectancy.
Financial Statements- You must be able to show that you can care for an addition person(s) with your current income. Be
prepared to verify your income with paycheck stubs, W-4, or income tax forms 1040 or 1040 EZ. You may also need to show
information on your savings, insurance coverage, investments, and debts. You may also have to fill out a worksheet of your bills
such as mortgage or rent payments, car payments, and charge accounts.
Criminal Clearances-Most states require by law criminal record and child abuse record checks. Misdemeanors from long ago
along with a good explanation of your behavior are usually not held against you. Felony convictions of any charge involving
children or illegal substances will most likely not be allowed children or illegal substances will most likely not be allowed.
References-You will need three or four a letters of recommendation. Choose people who have known you for several years and
know your family. They should be familiar with you and have seen you in a variety of situations; with children, your spouse, etc.
References will not keep you from adopting unless workers receive several negative comments, or a reference has brought up
questionable criminal record.
Interviews-The interviews are a time for the workers to go over your paperwork, learn more about you, clarify anything in your
autobiography and see that your home is a safe and healthy place for a child. The worker will tour your home and will want to see
the child's room. If you haven't already discussed it, you may want to have a safety plan in place in case of fires or other natural
disasters. Be honest and show your personality, a sense of humor is always a good thing to have, especially when
parenting.
Families with children- Occasionally agency will have the children write a statement about their feelings toward adoption. If
they are too young, they may be asked to draw a picture including the new child/ren in their family. They will be involved in
interviews, and may meet with the social worker individually.
Always, please feel free e-mail us or call us with any questions. We look forward to working with you.
International home study domestic home study social workers
INTERNATIONAL HOME STUDY IN OHIO
What Is An Adoption Homestudy?
Ohio Home Study
| Sunshine International Adoption Agency A licensed Ohio International Adoption Agency 17601 West 130th Street Suite 4,North Royalton, Ohio 44133 Call 1-440-582-5780 |
Thank you for inquiring about Ohio Home Study services offered by Sunshine International Adoption Agency!
Sunshine International Adoption Agency is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to complete Home Studies for
If you would like Sunshine International Adoption Agency to prepare your Home Study, please complete the attached Application and
mail it to us with the applicable fee of $250. Once we have reviewed your Application, we will forward our “Home Study Guide,”
which will include all the forms you must complete for the Home Study.
Once your Adoption Application has been received and approved, an adoption assessor will be assigned to your family and will work
with you to complete the Home Study process. The Home Study process takes approximately two to six months to complete (most
of this depends on the pace of which certain required documents are obtained by you). During the Home Study process, certain
documents are required to be viewed by your caseworker. Families will receive notification when their Home Study has been
completed and approved. Should a Home Study not be approved, the family is encouraged to meet with the caseworker and, if
needed, the agency, to discuss the reasons why the family was not approved and the possible alternative options for the family.
If you would like to receive more information about our Ohio Home Study services and fees, please contact us at 440.582.5780 or
email us at questions@adoptsiaa.com.
Sunshine International Adoption Agency is licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services to complete Home Studies for
If you would like Sunshine International Adoption Agency to prepare your Home Study, please complete the attached Application and
mail it to us with the applicable fee of $250. Once we have reviewed your Application, we will forward our “Home Study Guide,”
which will include all the forms you must complete for the Home Study.
Once your Adoption Application has been received and approved, an adoption assessor will be assigned to your family and will work
with you to complete the Home Study process. The Home Study process takes approximately two to six months to complete (most
of this depends on the pace of which certain required documents are obtained by you). During the Home Study process, certain
documents are required to be viewed by your caseworker. Families will receive notification when their Home Study has been
completed and approved. Should a Home Study not be approved, the family is encouraged to meet with the caseworker and, if
needed, the agency, to discuss the reasons why the family was not approved and the possible alternative options for the family.
If you would like to receive more information about our Ohio Home Study services and fees, please contact us at 440.582.5780 or
email us at questions@adoptsiaa.com.
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| © 2008-2010 Sunshine International Adoption Agency,Inc . Updated: 01.04.2008 |