THE LAKE COUNTY DEPARTMENT

OF JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES

HOME ASSESSMENT PROCESS

1.                  Education/Preparation – You will be required to participate in 36 hours of pre-services training to learn about the program and to gain information regarding the children you will be parenting.

2.                  Personal History – You will be required to complete an autobiography outlining your life experiences.  Several face-to-face interviews with the Social Worker will also be required to gain additional information and to discuss the information provided.  All members of the household over the age of 4 will be interviewed.

3.                  Home – The Social Worker will conduct a Safety Audit of the home to ensure it meets basic health and safety standards.  Each foster/adopt home will have a fire inspection conducted by the local fire department.  A well water test is required if the residence utilizes well water.

4.                  Family Income – You will be required to provide financial information in order to document the stability of your income and to allow the agency to determine that you are able to meet your own basic needs.

5.                  Documentation of Identity/Status – You will be required to supply copies of one or more of the following: birth certificate, citizenship documentation, marriage license, divorce decree, or other legal papers pertaining to your legal status.

6.                  Employment Status – You will be asked to provide information regarding your employment history and verification of current employment, if applicable.

7.                  Health – All members of the household will be required to have a physical examination and submit documentation.

8.                  Criminal Record Check – All adult members of the household will be required to submit their fingerprints for the purpose of a criminal record check.  Certain convictions will disqualify a person from the foster care/adoption program such as a serious or violent offense or a crime against a child. 

9.                  References – You will be asked to provide the names of 4 people who can be contacted as personal references.  These people will be asked to discuss your character and your experience with children.

10.              Miscellaneous Paperwork – The agency requires completion of a variety of paperwork used to assess the family’s readiness to foster or adopt a “special needs” child.