Adoption World, Inc.

Mazzafro Adoption Associates

WARNING - Be ready to read and think!

The following information are guidelines in the Adoption Process.
Each State is different but these guidelines are close to what a good agency should be following.

The process is lengthily and a legitimate agency should have the following:
Introduction to the agency
Guidelines
Application
Price sheet of all cost, broken down
An intake form of what you are requesting
A contract, "bring your own lawyer"
A corporation license issued by the state ( current )
A listing of available children
A time frame for placement
A list of requirements you will need to provide
A homestudy used by a licensed Social Worker
An assigned Social Worker who will stay with your case through the process
A list of references of families who have adopted through their agency
A list of support groups and workshops available for you to attend

International Adoptions are different and will be covered in another format

Remember, never settle on the first agency, although once hired you will be scrutinized, now is the time for you to scrutinize the agencies and go with the best.

Never let the agency manipulate you, they might have what you desperately want but this choice will be for life and affect many lives, you must stay in control. If you are not sure how, find out or hire a attorney.

Cost of Adopting
There are a wide range of cost in adopting, as there are:
Private adoptions through private agencies. These adoptions can include healthy infants through older special needs children.

There is the State or Health and Human services who deal with mostly young children and special needs children.

There are private Attorneys who place mostly newborns.

There are Open Adoption Agencies who deal with newborns, where the birth mother gets to pick the family she wants her child to go to and you meet the birth mother and go through the birth process with the birth mother.

There is International Adoptions where you go through a foreign country. Some Countries require you to travel to that country to finalize the adoption.

There is the Adoption where a parent can voluntarily terminate their parental rights and petition the court to have the child adopted by you.

There is Subsidy available for the adoption of older and special needs children. These subsidies can include the attorney fees, the agencies fees and a living allowance for the child up to their 18th birthday.
Never be afraid to ask for and never turn down a subsidy as you will find out you will need it in the future.

FACTS

You will be overwhelmed with emotion. Do not start until you are thinking with your head and not just your heart.
You and your partner are not on the same page, make sure you get there before starting
Murphy’s law in place, what can go wrong will go wrong, build the strength and tenacity to see this process through.

If at first you do not trust the Agency or the worker assigned to your case, GET OUT.

NO adoption is final until the court says it is final

FICTION

These fees are final

Guarantee placement of a child

We can complete the adoption in ? amount of time

You do not need an attorney

This is not the child you were looking for but it is best for you

We do not have all the information on the child’s past and or health

We do not keep a list of other families who adopted through our agency, or we do not give out phone numbers of others who adopted through our agency.

A worth while Tip::::If you are # ? on the list of waiting families, find out how long #1 has been waiting, then #2 etc. this gives you a true picture of the agencies abilities to place.

SO here we go, here is some of the paperwork involved.

This is an agreement that was used with our agency, all agreements are different but before you sign make sur it is spelled out, and you understand what you are agreeing to. Never sign an agreement unless a qualified attorney trained in adoption law reviews the contract first.

AGREEMENT

THIS AGREEMENT IS MADE THIS DAY OF BETWEEN (NAME OF AGENCY), A LICENSED ADOPTION AGENCY IN (State) AND A CORPORATION OF THE STATE OF (State) HERE AFTER REFERRED TO AS THE "CORPORATION" AND HEREAFTER REFERRED TO AS THE CLIENT(S).

NOW THEREFORE, IN CONSIDERATION OF MUTUAL PROMISES AND THE CORPORATION PROVIDING OF CONSULTING SERVICES MORE FULLY SET FORTH BELOW, THE PARTIES HEREBY MUTUALLY WARRANT, REPRESENT, AND AGREE TO THE COVENANTS AND PROMISES AS FOLLOWS:

1) NEITHER THE "CORPORATION" NOR ITS REPRESENTATIVES ARE LAWYERS.

2) THE CORPORATION" SHALL PROVIDE AT THE REQUEST OF AND FOR THE ASSISTANCE
OF "CLIENTS" CONSULTING SERVICES TO "CLIENTS" WHO DESIRE TO ADOPT, THE SERVICES MAY INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING ASSISTANCE:

A) TO ADVISE THE "CLIENTS" OF PROCEDURES IN THE ADOPTION PROCESS.
B) TO ADVISE THE "CLIENT" CONCERNING THE PROCEDURAL REQUIREMENTS IMPOSED BY THE COURTS
C) TO ADVISE THE "CLIENT" ON THE PREPARATION OF ALL THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTS
D) TO ASSIST IN COMMUNICATING WITH ATTORNEYS AND AGENCIES OR OTHER GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS WHO WILL ASSIST IN LOCATING AN ELIGIBLE CHILD FOR ADOPTION BY "CLIENT", AND TO FURTHER MAINTAIN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID PERSON OR PERSONS DURING THE ADOPTION PROCEEDINGS
E) TO ARRANGE PRE PLACEMENT AND PLACEMENT OF CHILD WITH PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE FAMILY.
F) TO SUPERVISE THE CHILD IN THE PROSPECTIVE ADOPTIVE FAMILIES HOME FOR NO LESS THAN ( 6 ) MONTHS.
G) TO ASSIST WHEN AND WHERE NEEDED TO FINALIZE THE ADOPTION.

3) THE "CLIENTS" UNDERSTAND THAT THE "CORPORATION" CANNOT MAKE ANY GUARANTEES WITH RESPECT TO THE TIME FRAME IN WHICH THE ADOPTION WILL BE COMPLETED. ANY MENTION OF LENGTH OF TIME FOR THE COMPLETION OF THE ADOPTION IS ONLY AN ESTIMATE BASED ON PREVIOUS CASES, AND THE "CLIENT" UNDERSTANDS THAT EACH CASE IS DIFFERENT AND IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCURATELY CALCULATE THE TIME THE "CLIENTS" CASE WILL TAKE.

4) THE "CLIENTS" UNDERSTAND THAT NEITHER THE "CORPORATION" NOR ITS REPRESENTATIVES CAN GUARANTEE THAT THE CHILD IS FREE FROM ANY LATENT HEALTH PROBLEMS OR UNDIAGNOSED AILMENTS OR DISEASED

5) THE "CLIENTS" HEREBY AGREE THAT THE "CORPORATION CONSULTING FEE FOR THE SERVICES ALL SET FORTH ABOVE SHALL BE ($ )DOLLARS, ACCORDING TO THE PROGRAM

6) THE FEES REQUIRED ABOVE SHALL BE PAID AS FOLLOWS:

a) THE APPLICATION FEE or $100.00, HOME STUDY FEES, AGENCY FEES ( PARTIAL FEE PAYMENT) ARE DUE WITH THE AGREEMENT.
b) UPON ACCEPTANCE OF A CHILD, THE REMAINING AGENCY FEE SHALL BE PAID IN FULL.
c) ALL COSTS, PAID OR ADVANCED BY THE "CORPORATION" SHALL BE REIMBURSED BY "CLIENT" WHEN INCURRED AND REQUESTED BY "CORPORATION".

7) THE "CLIENT" UNDERSTANDS THAT HE SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE OVER AND ABOVE THE COST SET FORTH ABOVE FOR ALL THE FEES, COSTS AND EXPENSES OF THE ATTORNEY.

8) NO REFUND IS AVAILABLE FOR THE COSTS OR FEES PAID, IF THE "CLIENT" ELECTS TO TERMINATE THE PROCESS VOLUNTARILY. ALL ACTUAL AND INCURRED COSTS OF THE "CORPORATION" MUST BE PAID BY THE "CLIENT" THAT ELECTS TO TERMINATE.

9) "CLIENTS" ARE ADVISED AND ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SEEKING THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT LEGAL ADVICE WITH REGARD TO ANY STEPS, PROCEDURES, EXECUTION AND PREPARATION OF ANY DOCUMENTS OR STAGES.

10) THE "CLIENT" HEREBY WAIVES ANY AND ALL CLAIMS WHICH "CLIENT" MAY HAVE NOW OR IN THE FUTURE AGAINST THE "CORPORATION" AND/OR AGAINST ANY OF ITS INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIVES, AND THE "CLIENT" FURTHER AGREES TO HOLD THE "CORPORATION" AND ITS INDIVIDUAL REPRESENTATIVES HARMLESS AGAINST ANY AND ALL CLAIMS, KNOWN OR UNKNOWN, NOW EXISTING OR EXISTING IN THE FUTURE, WHICH MAY ARISE OUT OF THIS AGREEMENT OR THE SERVICES REFERRED TO, THE ADOPTION, THE HEALTH AND WELFARE OF THE CHILD, THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE BINDING UPON THE "PARTIES" HERETO AND THEIR RESPECTIVE HEIRS, EXECUTORS, ADMINISTRATORS, SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS

IN WITNESS WHEREOF THE PARTIES HAVE HEREUNTO SET THEIR HANDS AND SEALS THIS DAY OF ,19__
(NAME OF AGENCY)
BY
WITNESS

Make sure the agency has a statement, mission statement, philosophy and description. Here is a sample

(NAME OF AGENCY)
PHILOSOPHY, PURPOSE AND PROGRAM DESCRIPT10N

The ultimate goal of (AGENCY NAME) is to assist all children who need permanent homes, find adoptive families who are able to provide stable, loving, permanent homes.
(NAME AGENCY) aims to locate such homes and prepare, support and assist adoptive families prior to and throughout the adoption process, as well as provide post-placement, and referral services.

(NAME AGENCY) accepts potential families who are interested in providing homes for children (both domestic and abroad).
These adopters may possibly be introduced to a child through the utilization of resources such as adoption exchange books or referrals from other agencies. Should a family consider a child who is located in such a manor, (NAME AGENCY) will supervise the study of the family and coordinate adoption efforts with the agency which maintains custody of the child.
Special needs children shall be defined as a child who possesses one or more of the following characteristics' having a physical, emotional, or intellectual handicap, having correctable medical problems or a questionable medical history, he over (18) months of age, or of a minority group.

(NAME AGENCY), will provide ongoing active recruitment of potential adoptive families in the United States in order to establish a large pool of potential adopters.
(NAME AGENCY) aims to provide such recruitment but also recognizes the need for increasing community awareness and education regarding adoption.
The agency will attempt to broaden the knowledge of the community about many adoption related issues.
(NAME AGENCY) also believes that such efforts as parents support groups and networks, adoption information meetings, adoptive families picnics, and cultural awareness event and information sharing can he very valuable to adoptive families and children.
(NAME AGENCY), maintain an anti-discrimination policy in that we do not discriminate against a potential adoptive family based on age, sex, marital status, race, color, national origin, handicap, or religion.

(NAME AGENCY) requirements of perspective adopters include the following:
Age - 21+ years old
Marital Status - Married at least two years or single. Exceptions possible.
Health - good physical~mental health (disabled and handicapped individuals will be considered)
Children already in the home - no restrictions
Income - individual assessment of each family's income to determine ability to adopt, based on the family's present abilities to meet their obligations.
State of residence - no restrictions

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
(NAME AGENCY) will not discriminate against any child based on age, sex, race, color, national origin, handicap, religion, economic or social status, place of residence, or lack of adoptive family Requirements of perspective adoptive children include the following:

Age - All ages in domestic adoptions.
Home situation - both parents clearly unable to care for child.
Birthparents rights relinquished through death or voluntary and legal measures.
Health - May be healthy or suffer from a wide range of special needs.

Upon application to (NAME AGENCY) couples will be placed on a home study waiting list and individual home studies will be conducted by the agency. The agency will also accept home studies completed by other qualified social workers affiliated with licensed agencies. Such cases will be determined on an individual basis.
Once approved, families will be maintained on a waiting list until a child, children become available. All efforts will be made to match the adoptive parents to the children based on the child's needs and what the adoptive family is able to accept in regard to age, handicap, etc. Assignments of a child to a family is dependant on Our assessment of the family, their commitment, the needs of the child and the needs of the other children in the home.

All efforts will be made to place siblings together. In the cases where families have been introduced to the children through such resources as exchange books, (NAME AGENCY) will coordinate efforts with the agency which has the custody of the child. Families may accept or reject a child based on their ability to parent that particular child. Families will be presented with all available information on that child from which to base their decision.

A six months post-placement period shall he mandatory with three post-placement visits completed by the social worker and recommendation made.

(NAME AGENCY) will provide support, information and assistance for finalization. Social workers shall be assigned to prospective adoptive families when such families apply to the agency and throughout the adoption process. Responsibilities include but are not limited to "studies of potential adoptive families, providing support to adoptive parents, counseling referral and post-placement supervision when indicated".

All agencies have an application, read it carefully before signing. Like the contract it is best to allow an attorney to review the application.

APPLICATION
(AGENCY NAME)
(AGENCY INFORMATION)

DATE
NAME HUSBAND:LAST FIRST M.I. AGE

NAME WIFE :LAST FIRST M.I AGE

ADDRESS:NUMBER STREET APT #
CITY COUNTY STATE ZIP

TELEPHONE: HOME BUSINESS

MARITAL STATUS
MARRIED SINGLE DIVORCED

HOW WERE YOU REFERRED TO (AGENCY NAME)

CHILDREN NAME DATE OF BIRTH SEX

IF ADOPTED, FROM WHAT COUNTRY? WHAT AGENCY?

HAVE YOU EVER APPLIED FOR ADOPTION? IF SO, WHERE?
WHERE YOU EVER TURNED DOWN FOR ADOPTION? IF SO EXPLAIN?
EMPLOYMENT
OCCUPATION/TITLE
EMPLOYER
ADDRESS
SALARY
HUSBAND WIFE
OTHER INCOME

TYPE OF CHILD REQUESTED:
SEX AGE
THERE IS A $100.00 APPLICATION FEE
(NON - REFUNDABLE ).

SIGNATURE HUSBAND SIGNATURE WIFE

This is a typical financial statement of what information will be required

FINANCIAL STATEMENT
EMPLOYMENT HUSBAND WIFE
OCCUPATION
EMPLOYER
ADDRESS
PHONE #
SALARY
OTHER
INCOME
YEARS WITH COMPANY
FINANCIAL ASSETS:
REAL ESTATE:
HOME.
MARKET VALUE
MORTGAGE BALANCE
OTHER REAL ESTATE
LIFE INSURANCE:
COMPANY
FACE VALUE
BENEFICIARY

*LIST BELOW ADDITIONAL POLICIES:
STOCKS VALUE
BONDS VALUE
OTHER VALUE
OTHER VALUE

BANK ACCOUNTS:
SAVINGS AMT

CHECKING AMT.
OTHER AMT.
OTHER AMT CREDIT
UNIONS AMT.

LIABILITIES IN EXCESS OF $3,000.00

This is a typical medical report that is required for the records at the agency

MEDICAL REPORT OF PROSPECTIVE CLIENTS

AGE
NAME
ADDRESS

MEDICAL HISTORY

CHECK IF HISTORY IS POSITIVE, GIVE DETAILS, DATES.

SEIZURE DISORDER
HEART DISEASE
DIABETES
MENTAL ILLNESS
NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER
TUBERCULOSIS
OPERATIONS

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
HEIGHT_______________________ PULSE_________________________

WEIGHT_____________________ ________________________

BLOOD PRESSURE______________________
LUNGS ___________________ ABDOMEN_________________________

SKIN__________________________
CHEST _________________________

NEUROLOGICAL SYSTEM
PERTINENT LABORATORY AND X-RAY FINDINGS
VDRL DATE___________
URINALYSIS DATE
CHEST X-RAY DATE
CBC
SIGHT
HEARING
SIGNIFICANT PAST HISTORY

HOW LONG HAVE YOU KNOWN THE PATIENT?
M.D - TELEPHONE
ADDRESS
SIGNATURE OF PHYSICIAN
DATE

This is a guideline of terms used by agencies when describing disabilities the child may have.

PHYSICAL DISABILITIES

Mild - Conditions such as: one missing limb; controlled medical conditions, i.e., seizures; hearing or vision impaired; leg braces; mild CP.

Moderate - Blind; deaf; moderate CP; paraplegic; spina bifida with sane function; hydrocephalus; wheelchair bound.

Severe - Conditions which necessitate restrictions for child or impair functioning, that are ongoing and require constant medical attention; terminal illness; or a combination of moderate disabilities.

EMOTIONAL DISABILITIES

Mild - Minor adjustment problems.

Moderate - Behavior and emotional problems possibly requiring long-term therapy.

Severe - Behavior and emotional problems which seriously interfere with a child's ability to function, may require hospitalization.

MENTAL RETARDATION

Mild - Educably retarded; able to do many "normal" activities but at slower pace than peers; may achieve 6th - 8th grade level academically; can attain competitive employment; minimally self-supporting semi or unskilled level.

Moderate - Trainably retarded; can attain self-help and routine simple jobs; may have basic literacy skills; supervised living and working (sheltered workshop).

Severe - Severely to profoundly retarded; can attain some to very limited self-help and interaction skills with environment and will need supervised environment.

LEARNING DISABILITIES

L.D. - Disorder or disorganization in one or more of the basic mental processes needed to understand or use written or spoken language. in other words, difficult for someone to listen, think, speak, read, write, spell or do math problems. Child is not mentally retarded; should be thought of more as immature. Children generally have average to above average intelligence.

Mild - Needs resource room help.

Moderate - Requires several years of special education to learn to compensate.

Severe - requires long-term special education and will always have difficulty with one or more learning areas.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR ADOPTION

This is a list of documents required during the adoption process

A VALID ( STATE ) HOMESTUDY, BY A LICENSED AGENCY

MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE

BIRTH CERTIFICATE ON EACH FAMILY MEMBER

DIVORCE DECREE ( IF APPLICABLE )

MILITARY DISCHARGE ( IF APPLICABLE )

DEATH CERTIFICATE ( IF APPLICABLE )

STATE POLICE CLEARANCE ON EACH MEMBER OF HOUSEHOLD OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE

CHILD ABUSE CLEARANCE ON EACH MEMBER OF HOUSEHOLD OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE

PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FROM A CERTIFIED PHYSICIAN, STATEMENT OF GOOD HEALTH AND NORMAL LIFE EXPECTANCY. THIS IS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF HOUSEHOLD

FIVE (5) LETTERS OF REFERENCE. ONE FROM NEIGHBOR, ONE FROM FAMILY, ONE FROM EMPLOYER, ONE FROM PLACE OF WORSHIP(If POSSIBLE), ONE OF CHOICE.

RECENT 1040 RETURN

LIST OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

PROOF OF INCOME

PROOF OF LIFE INSURANCE- XEROX COPY OF FACE OF POLICY- INC. COMPANY NAME AND AMOUNT OF POLICY

PROOF OF HEALTH COVERAGE- XEROX COPY OF POLICY OR CARD.

PLEASE NOTE-- INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS REQUIRE MORE THAN ONE COPY OF CERTAIN FORMS AND ALL PAPERWORK MUST BE NOTARIZED, CERTIFIED AND AUTHENTICATED.

This is a typical form used by an agency for gathering initial information from the prospective adopting family.

INTAKE PAPERWORK

EACH FAMILY WILL HAVE AN INTAKE FORM ATTACHED TO THEIR FILE.

EACH FAMILY WILL HAVE A COMPLETED INTAKE FORM BEFORE IT BECOMES ACTIVE

EACH FORM WILL BE CODED AND FILED UNDER
A) PENDING
B) ACTIVE
C) INACTIVE ON HOLD
D) COMPLETED

EACH FILE WILL CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS

A) HOMESTUDY ( ORIGINAL AND PRIOR STUDIES )
B) APPLICATION
C) CONTRACT
D) BIRTH CERTIFICATE
E) DEATH CERTIFICATES
F) MARRIAGE CERTIFICATES.
G) POLICE REPORT
H) CHILD ABUSE REPORT
I) REFERENCE LETTERS
J) FINANCIAL I NFORMATION
K) CHILD’S INFORMATION GIVEN TO FAMILY
L) FINALIZATION PAPERS
M) CHILD’S BIRTH CERTIFICATE
N) IMMIGRATION PAPERS
0) STATEMENT OF DISCIPLINE
P) MILITARY DISCHARGE INFORMATION

**This is a typical homestudy, although the format may be different, these are the forms we used and many agencies follow, this is what you can expect from your interviews and evaluations. If you understand the format you will do well with the homestudy report.

ADOPTION HOME STUDY
EVALUATION OUTLINE / GUIDELINE

IDENTIFYING INFORMATION
NAME
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE NUMBER
D.O.B./ AGE / HUSBAND - WIFE
CHILDREN - NAME, M/F, D.O.B., IF ADOPTED WHERE AND THROUGH WHO
Dates of Contact:
1st
2nd
3rd

MOTIVATION TO ADOPT
Discuss how/why couple became interested in adoption.
how long have they been looking to adopt.
what have they done to, try to adopt.
What other resources have they explored.
Why did they apply to (name of agency)
What are their motivations to adopt
Are their motives healthy and realistic.
Describe families reaction/support.
Have they had any experience with adoption.
Is there a child or children in the home now.
If adopted, how was It handled.

INFERTILITY STATUS
FACTS: When did the couple find out about their infertility
Give chronology of medical treatment. doctoring. etc.
Is there a conclusive diagnosis.
Is fertility unexplained or Inconclusive.

FEELINGS: What are their Individual feelings about their Infertility.
Do they view infertility as a shared problem
How did they help each other deal with their feelings
Have they successfully resolved their infertility, emotionally.
How have they dealt with their Infertility process ( stages of loss, grieving, etc.)
Are they ready to discontinue efforts to conceive a biological child, temporarily, at least
Is more time needed to explore infertility issues Inc. medical , educational counseling,, support groups, before turning toward adoption

OVERALL DESCRIPTION OF COUPLE/ PHYSICAL AND PERSONALITY
(Same for husband and wife)

1 NAME:
AGE
Ethnicity
Height
Weight
Complexion
Outstanding features
Trademarks
Personality Description
Worker's Impression

BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Same for husband and wife

NAME

Family of origin

Family profile
a) relationship between parents
b) relationship with parents past and present
c) relationship with siblings Past and present
d) significant others

School experiences/extracurricular activities

Relationships with friends/peers

Adolescence ( Was there any rebellion )

Dating experiences

Separation from home and family

Special Interests, hobbies, talents, while growing up

Previous marriages or serious relationships that ended
a) Divorce (What were the circumstances, what was learned from the experience)
b) Divorce decree must be submitted to the record

Separations, deaths, serious illnesses, or (How handled)

REVIEW COURTSHIP AND MARRIAGE

CHILDREN
Physical/personality description
Describe early growth and development
Activities ( i.e., play groups )
School functioning
Peer relationships
Overall adjustments
If child is adopted:
How has parents handled adoption with child
How does child feel about his/her adoption
How does child feel about the prospect of a sibling

ADOPTION

Attitude toward adoption

Acceptance and comfort with adoption

Assess degree of openness, flexibility, honesty

How will parents handle telling their child about adoption

Use of hypothetical situations as a way of discussing couple's understanding of adoption issues

Does the couple accept the concept that an adopted child feels different than a biological child
* Help couple to connect how it feels to be different by using their own experiences

An adopted child has feelings of ambivalence, confusion, split-loyalty between adoptive and unseen biological parents. Will couple be able to recognize and accept that child may be going through a loyalty conflict? What can they do to help their child sort out these feelings?

Can couple recognize the child's feelings of rejection by birth parents? How will they help their child deal. with this.

Attitude toward birthparents.

PARENTING EXPERIENCES AND ATTITUDES

EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN (OWN AND OTHERS)
Can parents individuate children
Can they relate to ages and stages of development
Can they give and receive affection
How expressed
How have/will they handle(d) child rearing problems
Time spent with children; quality and quantity of relationship

ATTITUDES AND EXPECTATIONS
Expected joys and difficulties
What makes a good parent
An effective parent
A responsible parent
Are their expectations and standards realistic
* judge by their self expectations and level of standards they set for themselves
Goals for children regarding education, behavior, values, etc
How will the child effect their lifestyle, relationship

PLANS WHEN CHILD ARRIVES
Will one parent be at home full time
If not- daycare arrangements
What resources are available to help
What about financial adjustments if one parent takes leave or resigns

DISCIPLINE
Define discipline - what is the purpose/goal of discipline
Does couple share similar philosophy of discipline
How, when and who would discipline
Individual experiences regarding Parental discipline while growing up
How felt about it
Changes they would make in disciplining their children
Discussion of corporal punishment

MANY STATE REGULATIONS PROHIBIT THE USE OF CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. HOME STUDY REPORTS MUST REFLECT, IN WRITING, THAT THE COUPLE WAS INFORMED AND UNDERSTANDS AND AGREES TO NO CORPORAL PUNISHMENT.

RELIGION
Present religion( affiliation, practice, attitudes, ethical values)
What part does religion play in couple's life/lifestyle
How do they plan to raise their child
Will child receive religious instruction
If inter-faith marriage, have different religions caused conflicts, unresolved issues, etc. How handled
*Ask couple to seriously consider choosing one religion which they will commit to in raising their child

Continue