Such a weight has been lifted as we just completed our third and last home study interview! At the end of our meeting she announced her approval of our adoption, and so thankfully the process continues.... Going forward, our social worker is going to write our home study report and it's estimated to take a month.
This coming week we're going to work on a few things:
1) We need to put a lock on the gate to the pool, and then mail a picture to our social worker. It was also suggested that we replace the spring that no longer is effective in helping to close the gate (this isn't a high priority this week- only before the baby comes).
2) We need to put a lock on the shot gun storage case, and then mail a picture to our social worker.
3) Prepare for our health inspection which our social worker is going to request this week. The only thing on the report that we need to address before the inspection is our cleaning supply storage. We need to either install cabinet locks or move the cleaning supplies to an upper cabinet.
Here is a summary of the things required for the health inspection:
1. Home and grounds are kept clean...
2. Kitchen and all food preparation, storage, and serving areas are kept clean
3. Perishable food is refrigerated or safely stored in other ways
4. Home has an adequate supply of water that meets the standards for drinking water...
5. Home has an adequate, safe sewage disposal system...
6. Plumbing appears to be in good working condition
7. Home has hot and cold running water
8. There is at least one toilet, lavatory and bathtub or shower inside the home
9. Bathrooms are kept clean
10. Soap and toilet paper are available in the bathrooms at all times
11. Each child has a clean towel available, or paper towels available
12. Garbage is removed at least once a week
13. Garbage is kept in metal or plastic containers with tight fitting lids...
14. The home is kept free of insects, mice and rats
15. The yard is well drained, with no standing water
16. The yard is kept free of garbage and trash
17. The house is adequately ventilated and free from bad odors
18. Window and outside doors kept open for ventilation are screened
19. Cleaning supplies, insect sprays, and medicines are kept where children ... cannot reach them
20. Accessible electric outlets in rooms used by children...have child-proof covers (I did this a few months ago)
21. Electric fans are securely mounted....
22. Outdoor steps are not slippery. Porches, railings, playhouses, and other wooden structures do not have splinters
23. Indoor floors and steps are not slippery...
24. Glass doors are marked at a child's eye level to prevent accidents (not clear on this one- we may need to do something)
As you can tell, most things are totally obvious and legit; however, other things seem a little over-the-top for people like us who won't be parents to an infant for another year. Most people can't help but notice the ridiculousness when they think of 1) the orphanage circumstances compared to our home and 2) all the many great parents who didn't have their house proofed prior to the child's arrival into the world. However, I do understand why they have these things in place and we'll do whatever we need to do for our child's protection and in order to be approved as ready parents. So, goodbye for now. More to come...
2 comments:
Woohoo! Thrilled that this step has been completed and things are moving forward. Can't wait for your little one to get here! :)
SO glad you get to move on to the next phase of this wait! Congratulations on finishing the home study! And, I do agree...the home inspection seems a bit ironic when you consider where they'll be coming from and what they'll be receiving in our homes. But, hey, we'll do WHATEVER they tell us to do, if we can just get a day closer to meeting our children!
Post a Comment