Home Studies
North Carolina and South Carolina require that all adoptive families have a home study prepared for them by a licensed child placing agency or the Department of Social Services.
Home studies are completed within 90 days. you can request to have an expedited study completed within 30 days for an additional fee.
Purpose
The home study serves two purposes – evaluation, to show adoption and government agencies that you meet their requirements to adopt a child and education, to assist families as they prepare to parent an adopted child.
While being diligent in the area of evaluation, CAS’ emphasis is on education and preparing families to parent. Our workers help families as they explore their hopes, knowledge, questions, and concerns about adoption rather than seeking “right” or “wrong” answers. Finally, the home study considers your stated preferences and concludes with a recommendation of the child or children appropriate for you.
Please remember that we are not looking for perfect parents. Rather, we are looking for a good match between a child’s needs and a family’s ability to meet those needs.
Process
During the course of your home study you will be interviewed as a couple and individually. These interviews will help you to develop a relationship with your social worker and enable him or her to better understand your family and to assist you with an appropriate placement. Some of the topics discussed will include your own childhood and upbringing, your approach to parenting, your spiritual background, how you handle stress and how you have handled challenges in your life. It is important that you are honest with your social worker and yourself about your own strengths, limitations, and expectations.
One of the visits will occur in your home to ensure that your home offers a safe environment for a child and meets the state licensing standards. Your home should be free of hazards and offer a child-friendly environment. Generally the social worker is not there to inspect your housekeeping standards. A certain level of order is necessary, but some family clutter is normal.
We are looking for a comfortable, child friendly environment.
Matching
Although the adoption home study process may seem invasive or lengthy, it is conducted to help you:
1. Decide whether adoption is right for your family.
2. Establish realistic expectations.
3. Prepare your family for adoption.
4. Determine the type of child which you could best parent.
This process helps to ensure that children are matched with families who can meet their needs in loving, caring, healthy and safe environment so that there is a good match between the child’s needs and the family’s capacity.
Contact Us to Learn More
If you are working with another agency and are in need of a home study, post-placement, or post-adoption services, we are licensed (Hague-accredited) to complete these services to families living in North and South Carolina. Please fill out this contact form or call our office at 704-847-0038 to learn more.
