A. Assign the case to a Family Service Worker or, if it is a request to conduct a non-relative independent adoption study, forward the request to the Adoption Unit, Slot S565 for assignment to an Adoption Specialist.

B. Contact OCC if an in-state court ordered home study request is received on a private litigation case that does not contain indigent language indicating the responsible party is unable to pay.

A. Contact the family by letter to advise of the request to conduct a home study. Enclose with the letter the appropriate forms to be completed by the family. The family will be advised to return the following completed forms to the worker within seven working days:

B. Contact the family a second time if the family has not returned the completed forms within the seven-day period. Advise the family that the completed forms must be returned within five working days. If the family does not respond to the second request, the worker will send a letter to the requesting party advising that the family has not responded to efforts to conduct the home study. Completion of the home study should not proceed if the information forms are not completed. Any assistance in completion of the forms should be provided or arranged by the worker in situations of physical or mental disabilities or illiteracy.

C. Contact the family to schedule a home interview upon receipt of the completed forms.

D. Interview the family. Follow the guidelines as outlined in policy for completing a home study. The home study is to be completed within 30 working days of receipt of the request. Notify the requesting party if additional time will be required to complete the home study.

E. Forward the completed home study with a cover letter to the court and the requesting party if different. A copy of the home study will be retained in the county office case file.

F. In CHRIS:

A. Purpose of the Home Study: Discuss the basis of the action and primary persons involved.

B. Motivation: The individual's (individuals') motivation for opening his or her home.

C. Household Composition: The full legal names of everyone residing in the home, birth dates, relationships to one another, and a brief physical description.

D. Housing: Address and location, type of structure, length of time at residence, upkeep and housekeeping standards, future residence plans, and sleeping arrangements.

E. Safety Hazards: An assessment of the safety of the home and grounds including water hazards, swimming pools, hot tubs, dangerous pets, and other hazardous items/areas.

F. Income and Expenses: Employment history for the last six years (duration, salary, duties/title, degree of job security, hours), other sources of income, monthly living expenses, outstanding debts, and insurance. A recent check stub and the previous year's income tax return are required to verify income and employment.

G. Health: Current health of each family member, prior illnesses or medical problems, disabilities, clinic or doctor utilized and frequency of use, counseling (when and purpose), and hospitalization for alcohol abuse, drug abuse, or mental illness.

H. Education: Family members' educational attainment, future educational plans, parenting classes attended, child's school, child's teacher (verification with school personnel on how the child is doing, academically and behaviorally), child's current school grades, child's educational functioning, any school problems or successes experienced by the child.

I. Child Care Arrangements or Plans: Current arrangement or proposed arrangement as it relates to their working hours and income.

J. Child Rearing Practices: Purpose of discipline, correction methods, how they show affection, how they handle stress, allowance, chores, and homework.

K. Daily Schedule: Routines, sleeping habits, feeding habits, personal hygiene habits and consistency with routine.

L. Social History: Highlights and verification regarding action of marriages and divorces, children, relationships' support system, future plans, any significant extended family members not living in the home, and any significant personal, developmental, personality or legal problems.

M. Family Activities: Religious interests, social organizations, activities with children, and family roles.

N. Collateral and Reference Contacts: Discuss the results of contacts with the CFS-316: Request for Child Maltreatment Central Registry Check, CFS-342: State Police Criminal Record Check (this check is also required), school, child care providers, and reference letters for the home study. Any problems or concerns identified through collateral or reference contacts should be shared when appropriate with the family for clarification and further discussion.

O. Impressions, Conclusions and Recommendations: Evaluate the family's situation and ability to provide for a child based on the information obtained during the home study.

P. Approval: If the agency approves the foster parents(s), the agency shall specify in the home study the number age sex and other characteristics of children for whom the home is approved to provide care.

A. In CHRIS, document services delivered and activities conducted on the Services Provided to Resource screen in Resource.

B. Maintain a file containing the court order, correspondence, narrative and any forms.