The home study forms the critical part of your foster care application. The key to getting through this daunting and complicated task is to get organized early on. Rushing things, in the end, will only make it more complicated.
But if you’re not sure where to begin, this checklist will direct you in the right direction:
Home Study Essentials Documents Checklist
Documents review and verification constitute an integral part of the home study procedure. Since there are plenty of documents needed in this procedure, it’s better to procure them in advance. The following documents checklist will come in handy in this regard:
Driver’s license or state-issued ID
A short autobiography that gives a brief overview of your life and reflects your reasons for applying for adoption
Social security cards
Birth certificate
Proof of employment and income
Medical records
Marriage certificate (if applicable)
Besides these documents, there may be some additional requirements that vary from State to State. So, do review the State’s guidelines on this matter.
Home Visit Checklist
A home visit is the most important aspect of the home study procedure. It usually involves a visit from a social worker who comes to inspect your home and make a report based on their inspection. And that report decides your fate as a foster parent.
So, it’s natural to get anxious about getting this part right. Analyze your preparation level by reviewing the following checklist:
· Fire extinguisher
· First-aid kit
· Functioning smoke and carbon monodioxide detectors
· Protection on stairs
· Posted emergency contact numbers
· No exposed electric circuitry
· Safety measurements near swimming pools or other water bodies (if present)
· Firearms and ammunition locked in a safe place
This checklist features some of the basic requirements and is definitely not an official list. As a general rule of thumb, you should employ standard safety protocols in your house to ensure a safe environment for children.
Home Visit Interview Hacks
When a social worker inspects your house, part of his job is also to interview the residents. And that includes every member of the household. The purpose behind this is to assess if you and the other family members are up to the task. Whether you qualify as a foster parent or not heavily relies on the interview’s outcome.
The interview questions can be invasive. But instead of being defensive, give an honest and direct answer to those questions. After all, it’s about entrusting the life of a child in your care.
Courses Checklist
Although not necessary, these courses highlight your foster parent profile. The two main courses you should take to boost your parenting skills are first-aid training and CPR training. Others include adoption-specific training and general parenting classes.
What Could Get You Disqualified For Foster Care?
So far, we have talked about the actions one can take to qualify as a foster parent. And that’s important, but equally important is knowing what could result in your disqualification. And the two main culprits for that are previous criminal records and lack of safety protocols.
So, as long as these two factors are absent, you can follow the checklists to build a strong case in your favor as a foster parent.