If you are considering growing your family through adoption, you may be aware that you need a Home Study to make sure that you can provide a safe and stable home for an adopted child. You might not realize that you must also have a Child Study. Both these studies are normally prepared by licensed social workers.
What’s included in a child study?
The Child Study Report must include three things:
- The child’s medical and social history, including any behavioral concerns
- Information about the child’s heritage, including non-identifying information about the birth family
- Assurance that the child is available for adoption, including consent from birth parent(s) or evidence of involuntary termination of parental rights
Information about the child’s background is intended to help children get a sense of their heritage, to provide guidance about the religious background of their birth family, and also to ensure that their new family will be prepared for any special needs the child may have. Some children have access to more information than others, so the reports are likely to be very different.
For example, a newborn will have little personal history. An infant’s report should include medical information about the birth mom, including substance abuse or genetic issues, and about the pregnancy and delivery. An older child may not have extensive information about the pregnancy and birth, especially if the birth parents are out of the picture, but should have information about medical appointments, religious training, behavioral problems if any, and aptitude noticed at school.
While the amount of information on the first two points may vary from one child to another, every child must have clear proof of availability for adoption before an adoption can take place.
Who pays for a child study?
In an agency adoption, the cost of the Child Study Report, and often the Home Study as well, may be bundled into the total cost of the adoption. For private adoptions, you may hire your own licensed professional to conduct both these studies. Heimer Law can help you find qualified people for this task.
Does everyone need this type of study?
Just like the Home Study, the Child Study is a basic requirement for Arkansas adoptions. However, both of these studies can be waived in some situations. The most common reasons for waiving these studies is prior relationship between the adoptive parent and the child. So a stepparent adoption or a kinship adoption may not require a child study.
Ready to start the adoption journey? Heimer Law can help. (479) 225.9725
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