In the best
circumstances, a home study is also an educational process preparing the
adoptive parents for the process of adoption and the stresses inherent in that
process, as well as preparing them for parenting generally. The individual
conducting the home study may also provide emotional support for the adoptive
parents throughout the adoption process.
The adoptive parents may
pick any licensed child placing agency authorized by the Department of
Children’s Services to conduct home studies. Licensed clinical social
workers working independently may conduct home studies as well, but they must go
through the agency licensing process first.
The cost of the home
study is assessed to the adoptive parents. Costs vary from approximately
$1000 to $1500 not including the cost of post-placement supervision, should a
child be placed in the prospective adoptive parents' home.
In Tennessee, all prospective adoptive
parents, unless they are closely related, must have an approved home study in
order to adopt. A relative is defined as a grandparent, any degree of
grandparent, aunts, uncles, or any degree of great-aunts or great-uncles, step
parents, or cousins of the first degree or any siblings of the who or half
degree. (This is based on the relationship between the adoptive parent and
the child.)
A home study is good for one year. If
an adoption placement becomes available after a year, your home study agency may
be willing to "update" your home study to make it current instead of requiring
you to acquire a new study.
Choosing the "right" agency to do
your home study varies for each prospective adoptive couple. This is a
very personal process and you must feel comfortable with the person performing
the home study. If you are seeking to adopt through various methods, you
must also ensure that the home study you obtain will be usable for all possible
situations. Example: If you decided to work with an agency in the
hopes that they would find you a child, some agencies may not release their home
if you were to find an adoptive placement outside their agency.
Note: Home studies
obtained through the Tennessee Department of Children's Services are rarely released for an adoption that does not take place through the Department.
Home ● Tennessee Adoptive Parent Information ● Information for Attorneys and Agencies ● Summary of Tennessee Law
