The home study phase is the last major step towards becoming licensed to accept a foster or adoptive placement – which is just a very technical way of saying it’s the last major step towards opening your heart and home to a child or children in need of a family!

During your home study, a social worker will evaluate your greater Houston or South Texas home and household members to be certain that the needs of a child who has been abused or neglected in the past can be safely met.

The following are some of the things to consider in preparation for your home study:

• What is the makeup of your family?
• What is your motivation for bringing a child or children into your home?
• Do you have any health concerns or issues we need to know about?
• What is your marital status?
• Are there other children in your home?
• Are you open to making connections with the child’s birth family?
• What are your expectations of your birth children?
• Are there child history and/or family history backgrounds that are unacceptable to your family? Can you state this positively?
• Will you have support from extended family?
• How do you/will you discipline your child(ren)?
• Do you have stable financial resources?

We know some of these questions may seem invasive, but they are essential to ensuring the right match between a child and their potential new family.

Upon the achievement of all foster care requirements the verification process concludes, and the foster or adoptive home is then verified.  This is when the family receives their official approved verification certificate which certifies that the home has been verified by Arms Wide as having met all state mandatory requirements for foster care and/or adoption.

If you have questions about the home study and verification process, please do not hesitate to ask your Arms Wide Coordinator for more information.