A Home Study conducted by a licensed agency is required for families to be eligible to adopt in Wisconsin. Adoptions of Wisconsin, Inc. (AOW) conducts Home Studies and also accepts Home Studies conducted by other licensed agencies.
The home study provides you with the opportunity to share your life story. Components of the home study generally include:
- How you were raised, disciplined, loved and by whom
- Descriptions of your family structure, parents and siblings
- How were you disciplined and nurtured as a child
- Past and present family relationships
- Your school experience
- Your current employment
- Your employment history
- Your relationship with your spouse/partner, marital history
- Previous marriages, if applicable
- Your current financial situation
- Hobbies, interest, leisure time, family and group activities
- Feelings about parenting and discipline
- Feelings around adoption
- Religion
- Feelings about birth parents
Typically, the home study consists of a minimum of three interviews with your social worker, both in the AOW office and in your home. Your social worker is not looking for perfection. Instead she is looking to see that your home is a comfortable, safe and healthy environment for a child. Do not exhaust yourself with excessive cleaning, this will not be a white glove inspection of your home. This is also not a pass or fail test. If your social worker notices something of concern, you will be made aware and given time to make the necessary changes or adjustments.
Your social worker will assist and support you in exploring the issues that you will need to consider. Adoption is complex and requires you to be mindful and aware of questions and issues that will come in to play. This is more than a process; it is a rewarding, loving and life-long decision.
