Home Study Kicked Off

We had our first meeting with our social worker today which officially kicked off the home study.  This was the easiest of the meetings lasting only about an hour.  We received and reviewed all the documents in this giant binder.

 This includes about 25 forms that we need to fill our and/ or sign as well as a bunch of articles we may find helpful.   Some items need to be completed now and some are needed after a child is placed with us.  A sampling of the items we need to fill out and sign:

• House rules - yes we have to create rules for the house.  
• A plan drawing out the emergency evacuation route.
• A worksheet documenting every time a child is given medicine.
• Documentation that we are a tobacco free home.
• Consent that we will install an appropriate car seat/child carrier if needed.  

In the packet was also a checklist of all the things we need to do to the house to pass the home inspection

• All alcohol has to be stored in a locked cabinet
• All medicine (even over the counter) has to be in a locked cabinet
• An escape ladder needs to be available on the second floor (not installed but available in case of an emergency)
• Emergency numbers and poison control information is posted by the phone.  
• 5 pound fire extinguisher installed in a visible location. 

There is lots to do to prepare the house for the inspection.