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  • Adoption Home Study/Family Assessment

Adoption Home Study/Family Assessment

Regardless of the type of adoption (private agency, public agency, or intercountry), nearly all families must complete a home study process before adopting a child. There are a few exceptions. For example, stepparents adopting their spouses' children may not need a home study. The primary purpose of a home study is to ensure that each child is placed with a family that can best meet his or her needs. The home study process can help educate prospective adoptive parents about the type of adoption they are pursuing so they can make informed decisions that are best for their family.

This section contains resources about the home study process for different types of adoptions.

  • Relative/kinship adoption
  • Public agency adoption (foster care)
  • Intercountry adoption
  • State and local examples

Relative/kinship adoption

Adoption Homestudy Requirements by State
Adoption Network Law Center (2016)
Explains the home study requirements designed to ensure that a potential adoptive or foster parent is mentally sound, financially stable, healthy and prepared. This resource outlines rules and exceptions to home study requirements for relative adoptions according to specific State laws.

Home Study Requirements for Prospective Parents in Domestic Adoption

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 312KB)
Year Published
2021
Summarizes State laws and policies for approving prospective adoptive homes. The publication describes who must be included in the home study, qualifications for adoptive parents, elements of the home study process, exceptions for stepparent or relative placements, postplacement assessments of the child's adjustment to the adoptive family, requirements for placements across State lines, and more.

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Public agency adoption (foster care)

Casey Foster Family Assessments
Casey Family Programs
Provides free tools for workers and families to help with the foster family assessment process.

Home Study Requirements for Prospective Foster Parents

Series Title
State Statutes
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 1,593KB)
Year Published
2018
Discusses State laws and policies for licensing or approving family foster homes. A licensed family is one that is approved by the State to provide care for children and that meets basic standards of safety and is able to provide a healthy and nurturing home environment. The topics discussed include training requirements, the process for approving homes, grounds for not approving homes, kinship placements, adopting from foster care, and interjurisdictional placements. Summaries of laws and policies for all States and U.S. territories are included.

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Intercountry adoption

FAQ: Conducting Home Studies for American Citizens Residing Abroad in Incoming/Immigrating Convention Cases
U.S. Department of State
Supplies information on completing home studies for families who live abroad and wish to effect an intercountry adoption.

Home Study
U.S. Department of State
Outlines the requirements for home studies for Hague Convention and non-Hague Convention countries.

Intercountry Adoption: What Do I Need to Know?

Series Title
Factsheets for Families
Author(s)
Child Welfare Information Gateway
Availability
View
Download (PDF - 499KB)
Order (Free)
Year Published
2020
This factsheet provides a guide to intercountry adoption, including information on requirements and processes you may need before and after you are matched with a child; how to select the adoption service provider that is right for you; and eligibility, immigration, and citizenship requirements. There is also information about how to prepare for parenting an internationally adopted child, bringing your child home, and tips for adjusting to a new family structure for you and your new child. A list of additional resources is also provided.

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State and local examples

Foster Care Children Licensing Standards (PDF - 361 KB)
North Dakota Department of Human Services (2014)
Provides guidance to child welfare professionals on the development and implementation of home study requirements for prospective foster parents.

State Legislation to Expedite and Streamline the Adoption Process 2008–2013
Williams-Mbengue (2014)
National Conference of State Legislatures
Offers a chart of State legislation to expedite and streamline the adoption process.

Virginia’s Adoption Home Study Process (PDF - 735 KB)
Egen (2016)
Commonwealth of Virginia Commission on Youth
Describes the findings of a State-mandated study of the adoption home study process. This resource includes recommendations for future legislation.

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Spotlight On

Background Checks for Prospective Foster, Adoptive, and Kinship Caregivers
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(2019)
Home Study Requirements for Prospective Parents in Domestic Adoption
Child Welfare Information Gateway
(2021)

Related Content

Home Study Process in Adoption

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