[MRubin]

Hello, we've been working on getting through the homestudy for eight months now and we're finally down to the end (had to do the complete FBI backround and fingerprints because we've only been here two years). Our worker is going to do the home visit in two days and I was just wondering what I should expect? How long did yours take? Did anything catch you off-gaurd? Did you pass the first time, and if not... why?

Any advice is GREATLY appreciated

[akcskye]

Did you have a home inspection? My social services did a home inspection first to let me know what to correct for the time of the homestudy.
They basically quickly glance at your home and check certain things (like plug covers on electrical outlets, cabinet locks, fire extinguisher, no holes in the floor, etc) and then they'll interview you and your partner/spouse (if you're not single) and anyone else who may be living in the home with you.
Hope this helps somewhat. Mine is tomorrow, so I KNOW how you feel!

[itsgreat2adopt]

You may also want to make sure your water heater is turned down. that was part of ours ---why becuz hot water can burn, not that we would not check the water 1st, but its all part of it. we passed ours both the 1st time. also if you have any kids in the house that are yours just don't stick them in the other room. just be happy and yourself everything will work out. it should only take 1hr if that. also you may want to put all your cleaning stuff in a lock box becuz you never know about the social worker coming, but really not a big deal. ours told use before our 1st adoption, you will live how you live then when you get the baby put all the safe guards in place also put the guns in the safe or take to out of the house if you don't have a safe then go buy one.

Good Luck

[akcskye]

Well, I just got through with my homestudy today, so I can tell you exactly what I went through.

When she first showed up, she checked my car tags. She came in and went straight to interview first.

The interview was fine, asking questions about our family and how thing were going, who would be around the children, etc.

We looked at our finances. Fine. She asked us if we had all of our utilities on. Of course they are, but I couldn't believe she just took us at our word.

Then, she went through the house, and didn't seem to write anything down.

Now, I am assuming with her saying that she will type up the report and bring it back for us to sign that things went ok. Her only concern is having 8 cats (and a bit of a kitty smell in the house that we are working on), and how that may affect what a SW thinks of us. Our SW had already told us that 8 cats were fine as long as there wasn't poop on the floor. LOL

Past that, things went GREAT (I feel, anyway), so I'm *thinking* I passed, surely she would've told us had we not.

Good luck to you tomorrow!