What is an Ohio Adoption Homestudy?
An adoption home study is required for every type of adoption. This includes:
- A newborn adoption
- Stepparent adoption
- Relative adoption
- Adoption of an older child
- Grandparent adoption
A licensed social worker will complete the adoption homestudy assessment. A homestudy assessment is used to evaluate the prospective adoptive person(s) to ensure the child is entering into a stable, loving environment. This document will also give a good picture about the adoptive families home life, housing, income, criminal and medical history to ensure the court is acting in the best interest of the child.
Building Blocks Adoption Service Inc. (BBAS.org) is a State of Ohio licensed adoption agency. Our adoption agency provides an array of adoption and social services. We help with the placement of children throughout the United States. All adoption homestudy services are provided by one of our many licensed social workers . We have many social workers throughout the State of Ohio. We can provide prospective adoptive families with an Ohio adoption homestudy if you reside in the State of Ohio.
Time frame: About 7 months ( expedited services available.)
Nonrefundable Fees:
- Application Fee $200
- Homestudy Fee $1,800
- Adoption Portal Fee(homestudy only clients) $250
Why should you choose BBAS?
- One can start immediately, no wait time to get started.
- No classroom training, all is done at home online.
- No mileage fees
- There are social workers on staff that have years of adoption training and experience.
- Social workers available throughout the state.
An overview of the homestudy process
- Submit the adoption agency application to start the Ohio adoption homestudy process.
- BBAS will provide the adoptive family with access to the adoption portal.
- Complete and submit agency contract and fees.
- The assigned social worker will contact you for the first visit.
- Many documents will be needed to complete an adoptive homestudy.
The adoptive homestudy may include the following pieces of information:
- Autobiography/Family Background –These questions are typically:
- about the adoptive family, past and present
- how you feel about discipline
- family members
- children in the home
- motivation to adopt
- fondest childhood memory or greatest fears.
- Neighborhood/Community/Schools –Be prepared to describe the local area and environment:
- Share information about the schools in the local area?
- Which schools will the child/ren attend?
- Do you have a relationship with neighbors?
- What resources are available to help you parent a special needs child?
- Physical Health – Adoptive parents will need to explain any current health problems and undergo a physical exam by a current physician.
- Financial Statements – Adoptive families must be able to show that they can care for an additional person(s) according to current income. Be prepared to verify income with:
- paycheck stubs
- W-2
- or income tax forms 1040 or 1040 EZ.
- You will need to show information about income, savings, insurance coverage, investments and debts.
- Criminal Clearances – Prospective adoptive parents will be required to undergo criminal record and child abuse record checks. However, Misdemeanors from long ago along with a good explanation of one’s behavior are usually not held against you.
- Felony convictions involving children or the elderly will not be considered.
- References – Prospective adoptive parents will need the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least four references. The references should be familiar with you both and have seen you in a variety of situations with children.
- References will not keep you from adopting unless the social worker receives several negative comments or a reference has brought up a questionable criminal record.
Interviews are:
- a time for the social worker to go over paperwork
- learn more about you
- to clarify anything about the adoptive parent’s autobiography
- see that the adoptive families home is a safe and healthy place for a child.
- The worker will tour the adoptive families home and will want to see the room that is planned for the child.
- If you haven’t already discussed it, you may want to have a safety plan in place in case of fires or other natural disasters.
- Be honest during interviews.
- If You Already Have Children – The children will be involved in interviews, and may meet with the social worker individually dependent on the child’s age.
- Training- Our social worker will guide you through training classes or in-home training on what to expect when adopting a child.
Additional topics will be covered:
- Philosophy of parenting/experience with children
- Understanding of adoption issues for families and children
- Expectations of the adoption process
- Motivation and readiness to adopt
- Understanding of child development
- Support systems
- Role of religion (if any)
- Type of child you desire to parent
- Child care plan
- Plan for post-placement services
An Ohio Adoption Homestudy is required for all those seeking to adopt. Contact us if you have any questions about the Ohio Adoption Homestudy process. 866-321-21367
Online Forms and Contact Info
- Application for Adoption Services
- Request Information About Adoption Services
- Contact us!
- Unplanned Pregnancy Help?
- Pregnant? Have Questions? Text Us
- Call us! 866-321-2367
- Seeking to place your child for adoption
BBAS.org – Building Blocks Adoption Service Inc.