What to do before home study for adoption?

I'm just starting the adoption process. I have found two special needs children that are currently in foster care. To be able to adopt either of them I need to complete a home study. Both boys are toddlers. What types of things can I prepare in my house before the social worker comes to increase the ease of the home study? Will I need to have a room already completed for a child? Will I need to have the home "child-proofed"? Any tips on the home study process, or on adoption from foster care are much appreciated.

the inspection of the house will be the same as for foster care. You can usually ge the book from your foster care co-ordinator. Basically safety covers on light sockets, no chemicals under sink or locked. Locked medicine box, power tools and paint and things out of reach in garage. In our case the inspection was the last meeting to be had,. The homestudy also involves interviews and paperwork. Make copies of all birth certificates, marriage lisence, divorce papers, tax records, pay check stubs, home, life and care insurance papers. Make doctors appointments for physicals of adult members. You do not need a room ready yet, just to show that you have room to put them. there is a site called adoption.com that has all kinds of info and people to talk to about this. We are near the end of out process.

There is nothing wrong with ASKING the agency that is doing the home study. They will be happy to tell you if they expect the child's room to be set up and the home child proofed. If you don't have any children in the house obviously most would not expect you to prepare completely for the child until you know you are approved. But when the social worker comes to the house you could tell them where you plan to set u p a room for the children, what plans for the room you have.

The most important thing is to make sure your home is neat and tidy, but don't overdo to the fact that it's unrealistic. There will be follow up visits before the adoption is final so you need to plan for that as well. If there was too much disparity in way you keep your home in the different visits they might wonder if you were not being honest with them.

Just be consistent. I applaud you for adopting these two little boys, I wish you the best of luck!

I agree, ask the agency what they're looking for. Our agency was very open about what they would be looking at while at our house. Because we were doing infant adoption, we did not have to have our house babyproofed, but because you are adopting toddlers, you may have to. So, be on the safe side and just ask them.

Good luck to you. I hope you have your toddlers in your home soon!

You have time. No need to make the house "picture perfect", that is the mistake most make. Just tidy things up, it does need to look 'lived in', afterall, you don't want it too tidy, a toddler can certainly make a mess!

As far as the room goes, I would wait until your homestudy is "approved", you can start to clear out the room, as the social worker would want to see where you plan for the bedroom to be. You do not need to put the caps on outlets, but it may be a good idea to just buy them, have them on hand.

You probably have completed your criminal backround check already if the social worker is coming by your house, correct? If that is the case, you are probably just waiting on her coming by, then her "write up" of you. It should take about a week, maybe less, then, you will begin your "wait", for the paperwork to be finalized. Good Luck to you, and try and relax.....you're gonna be a Parent!!!!!

I don't know

I have had three homestudies, and like you I had lots of questions before the first one. But the social worker is mainly trying to determine that your family and home are a safe and loving place for a new child, or children. It should be tidy, but not spotless (they don't check under the bed for dust bunnies!). There is no need to have the room completed for the new children, but you will be asked where they will sleep, and you can give the SW an idea of your plans. You will be questioned about your water supply. If it's city water you're all set, but if you have a well, they may require a water test. There also may be a lead paint issue if you live in a home that was built before 1978. You don't need to child-proof at this point, but obviously there will be some concerns about safety - for example, if you have a swimming pool it should be fenced appropriately. Good luck!

My sister adopted a baby and they had the baby's room complete and the house child proofed before thier home study. Other than that, I am not sure. Good luck and God bless you for undertaking 2 special needs children.