The home study process sounds intimidating, but is really all about organization and staying on top of things. All home studies look different. Here's what ours was like:
The first thing we had to do was each (my husband and myself) fill out an extensive questionnaire about our lives. It was around 150-200 autobiographical questions covering topics like yourself, your background, marriage, daily life in your house, parenting, religion, finances, and everything in between. "How would your describe yourself?" "What changes would you like your spouse to make?" "How are chores divided up in your family?" "Describe your relationship with your father." "What is your greatest weakness as a parent?" "How might you react if your child wants to search for his/her birth mother?" and so on. I assure you they aren't quickly answered!
The next part of a home study is all of the paperwork requirements. For example, certified copies of birth certificates, marriage license, divorce decrees, passports, diplomas. Tax returns, household budget, verification mortgage is current, documentations of home value, pay stubs. Proof of medical insurance, letters from physicians, physicals, immunization records, TB tests. Letter from veterinarian about any animals, copy of floor plan for current house with labels and measurements, photos of home and outside areas. Local police background clearances, fingerprints. And more. I'm sure I've left quite a bit out, but you get the idea. We also needed letters from our family members explaining their understanding and level of support of our adoption. This is in addition to the letters we had to have friends write in reference to our character and parenting. (btw - Thanks awesome family and friends!)
There is 15 hours of training required for adoptions from China. Each type of adoption is different with their training requirements, but I would say all require some sort of training.
We then had the big home study house visit from a social worker. I was concerned about this part. We had read all of the usual requirements: making sure everything is child-proofed, the right number of smoke detectors, CO2 detectors, a locked medicine cabinet, a safe with any and all things that could be of hazard to a child, fire extinguishers, etc. I cleaned and scrubbed everything from top to bottom. Our baseboards were dust free. Our house smelt of freshly baked cookies. The dog had extra training. Everyone was recently bathed and pressed.
The social worker was very kind. She was there to help and guide us, not catch a spec of dirt on the floor and banish us from the world of adoptions. I have forgotten how many house visits she had to make, but after the first I was much calmer when we were expecting her.
She then took all of the information collected and wrote up a very long, detailed home study report on our family. The home study is simply one of many things required to compile a dossier, which is the packet that is sent to China on our family.
*Side note - Our home study was much simpler than what we have understood from those doing foster to adopt! The stories are insane.
Like I said, dry reading! But I know those who are considering adopting want details.
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