Sarah Vetter, LISW
Director of Child and Family Services
You may have heard that adoption home studies are a lot of paperwork. It’s true! While applications, questionnaires, and reports can be overwhelming, it is important to understand what a home study is and why each piece is important.
A home study is a required process for any individual or couple who wants to adopt a child. A home study is both assessment on the safety and suitability of the family as adoptive parents as well as education on what it takes to raise a child through adoption. Adoption agencies complete an assessment that includes criminal background studies, health reports, financial reports, personal references, and a social history from each prospective adoptive parent. No one is expected to be perfect in order to adopt, but agencies are responsible for making sure that each approved parent is safe, loving, and can provide for all of the child’s physical, mental and emotional needs.
The educational aspect of the home studies covers topics such as transracial adoption, explaining adoption to a child, the legal process, openness in adoption, and how to nurture a child for all their positive qualities. Raising a child through adoption is not better or worse than raising a biological child – but it is different! Throughout the home study, prospective adoptive parents have the opportunity to reflect on how they grew up and the type of parents they hope to become. Many adoptive parents have shared that they believe all new parents should go through a home study in order to be fully prepared to raise a child!
The home study process often takes about six months to complete. It can feel daunting at the beginning, but your social worker will walk you through each step of the way. Catholic Charities offers free informational meetings to explain the adoption process and answer questions before a family begins this journey.
To schedule an informational meeting, call 507-287-2047 or email adoption@ccsomn.org.