Let the Games Begin!!!

Today's topic.....the Homestudy.....well PRE Homestudy!  We have yet to actually have our home study so this is a short guide on how to get started.  Most agencies have their own social workers that can do your Homestudy.....as long as you are using an agency in your state or one that has offices in your state.  With that said, both agencies we are considering are NOT in our state, so we had to find a social worker who could help us.  There is always word of mouth, which is one of the best ways to go.  Actually, even if you are going with an agency out of state, many local agencies will let you hire their social workers just to do the homestudy.  Convenient too.  We felt though that perhaps going out of an agency might be more beneficial.  We went to
http://www.1-800-homestudy.com/

It seems weird, I know....just the name of it, but really we found a great social worker. Although we haven't even met yet, she has been so helpful getting us all the info that we will need to give her and a whole lot of advice via email. 


Here's what is required for PA residents: Note that if you are going to adopt our of your state, there may be additional things required:

1.) Copies of birth certificates

2.) Copy of marriage certificate, if applicable

3.) Copy of divorce decrees, if applicable

4.) Pennsylvania Criminal Clearances; these can be gotten online from the Pennsylvania State Police website or you may send for them via mail. You can print the form out from the website and mail it if you wish.

5.) Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearances; you can get this form from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare's website.

6.) Three years of 1040 tax forms; only the first two pages.

7.) Three months of bank statements.

8.) Copy of deed to your home.

9.) Copy of your most recent mortgage statement.

10.) FBI clearances. These are the second part of the PA child abuse clearances that are now required for all adoptions. You can find directions for obtaining these at: www.pa.cogentid.com
(register online....go to a local fed-Ex offfice that offers fingerprinting (bring your receipt), voila....2 weeks later it arrives in the mail)

11.) Employer letters

Also, to get started is an 8-10 page autobiography of everything from your complete family member breakdown, to your childhood and teen life, your home life, marriage life, child experience, reason for adopting and health status.  Honestly, I hated writing term papers and it did seems daunting, but I wrote it in about 4 days. It's no Emily Dickinson for sure, but it gets the point across.  Did I mention both of you have to write one? Hence the delay a bit.


References-- I just emailed our family and friends that we chose to give us a reference.  It was hard to pick only 6 people and I hope no one gets offended.  We needed a span of different types of people.  It's a little nerve wracking not knowing how it's all going to turn out.  We don't get to see these reports but we have faith in our family and friends and know they have our best interest at heart.


We have gotten all of our clearances and I'm happy to tell you neither of us has a criminal history, child abuse history and we have been cleared by the FBI. Woo hoo!!!


Next up.....Decisions, Decisions.......