| An adoption agency is instrumental in providing | | | | must be able to accommodate the child. The worker |
| information and resources for the adoption process. | | | | will also want to see that you have thought about the |
| They offer many different services, one very | | | | child's educational and recreational needs. Some |
| important service is the home study. A social worker | | | | agencies that are affiliated with a particular religion |
| will typically be contracted by the adoption agency. | | | | may also require you to be a church member. |
| During the home study visit, the social worker will ask | | | | Finally, the worker will discuss with you what |
| many questions about your finances, family and future | | | | characteristics you would like in a child. If you have to |
| plans. All of the home study findings are provided to | | | | many requirements here, it may be a sign that you |
| the adoption agency and used to hep determine the | | | | have unrealistic expectations. On the other hand, you |
| viability of the adoptive parents. | | | | need to be honest in what you can accept. Some |
| The worker will ask about criminal history. If you have | | | | people are open to adopting a child with special needs, |
| committed a felony, you probably won't be eligible to | | | | others are not. If you are not, don't say that you are. |
| adopt. But, past criminal history will not necessarily | | | | The child that comes into your home needs to be |
| make you ineligible depending on your agency, the type | | | | accepted for who he/she is. |
| of offense, and the length of time since the offense. | | | | The key to the home study is to be as open and |
| The worker will ask about your fertility. If you are | | | | honest as you can. Now is the time for the worker to |
| adopting internationally, it may be a requirement that | | | | see if you are ready to adopt, and she can't properly |
| you are infertile, since some countries require it. If you | | | | evaluate this if you are hiding information or your |
| are adopting domestically, it will depend upon the | | | | feelings. Additionally, it is possible that she will find the |
| agency as to whether it's a requirement. If you are | | | | truth from another source (like in a criminal background |
| infertile, the worker will want to discuss how you have | | | | check). It's better she hear from you, so she can see if |
| dealt with it, since having this resolved is important | | | | you are ready and if you meet the guidelines. An |
| before bringing a child into the home. | | | | adoption agency that gets information from another |
| The worker will also ask about your financial and living | | | | source may deny you because they can't be sure you |
| situation. You don't have to be wealthy to adopt, the | | | | were truthful in other areas. |
| agency just wants to make sure you have sufficient | | | | Understanding the home study process before |
| resources to care for a child. You also don't have to | | | | contracting an adoption agency can help ease the |
| own a home to adopt, but your home or apartment | | | | whole process. |