What is a home study. . .

A Home Study is a written report, completed by a licensed Michigan adoption agency.  It usually consists of five or more pages, based on a social worker’s evaluation of you, your family, your living conditions, finances, health status, etc. It includes information on relationships, employment, money management skills, our property and income, parenting skills and interactions with children, description of your neighborhood, information about your childhood, etc.   The agency must follow the general regulations of the State of Michigan when conducting a home evaluation.  Some agencies will have prospective parents attend one or several group orientation sessions or a series of training classes before they complete an application. Other agencies would provide reading material for you to study on your own.  In many cases, agencies would have their social worker start by meeting with family members individually and then ask that they attend educational meetings later on. Usually agency staff members are glad to answer any questions and to guide applicants through the process. In any way, you will be informed about what to expect, regarding the process, fees, and the timeframe.

At least one meeting will occur in the applicant's home. If you adopt internationally, there may be two or more meeting in your home or the agency’s office to comply with the requirements of some foreign countries.  If there are other people living in the home, they also will be interviewed by the social worker. 

On average the home study process takes six to either weeks to complete, but it can take longer in some cases. In general, the following information is included in the home study:

• Personal and family background-including upbringing, siblings, key events, and what was learned from them
• Significant people in the lives of the applicants
• Marriage and family relationships
• Reasons for adopting
• Expectations for the child, methods of discipline of children, parenting skills
• Feelings about infertility (if this is an issue), willingness to parent cross-racially or cross-culturally.
• Family environment
• Physical and health history of the applicants
• Education, employment and finances-including insurance coverage and child care plans if needed
• References and criminal background clearances from the State of Michigan
• Summary and social worker's recommendation.