Chapter 5 : Section 10

Presenting the Child’s Information to the Prospective Adoptive Family

Procedures

Information to be gathered

The DCS Specialist will review information to be provided to the prospective adoptive family and ensure all identifying information is removed from the documents that will be shared. In particular, compile the following items:

• Child Information Form, CSO-1045A;

• Health Plan in Guardian;

• pictures of the child and when possible video tapes;

• family history;

• psychiatric and psychological evaluations on the child and birth parents;

• child’s birth and medical records;

• birth parents’ and other family members’ medical records and/or history;

• child’s school records, evaluations, report cards and IEP; and

• any other documents related to the child or birth parents social, behavioral or mental health history.

Presenting the Information to the Prospective Adoptive Family

When meeting with the prospective adoptive family about the child, the following persons must present:

• the prospective adoptive family;

• agency certification worker;

• Adoption/ DCS Specialist or DCS Supervisor; and

• Match Specialist.

The following persons do not need to be at the meeting but should be invited:

• Guardian ad Litem;

• current caregiver;

• CASA;

• tribal representative, if applicable;

• therapist and/or CFT Facilitator;

• previous DCS Specialist, if applicable; and

• previous DCS Supervisor.

Note: The youth is not included in this meeting for therapeutic reasons.

Bring the following documentation to the meeting:

• Child Information Form, CSO-1045A;

• copy of the child's medical records;

• copy of the child's psychological evaluations;

• copy of the child's Individualized Education Plan (IEP);

• therapy and/or CFT notes;

• information about the birth parents; and

• picture of the child and videotape if available.

Note: The parent's information and caregiver's information must be redacted.

Review all of the child's information with the family.

• Help the family see the child as a whole person, discussing the child’s likes and dislikes; hobbies; ways that the child passes his/her time; the verbal skills of the child; if the child expresses emotions easily; and the child’s fears and hopes.

• Using the Child Information Form as a basis for the initial discussion of the child with the family, discuss the child's special needs with prospective adoptive parents.

• Identify professionals who have a history of the child’s identified conditions and who would be available for consultation or to answer questions.

• Facilitate consultations with professionals and/or obtain from professionals in writing answers to questions related to reports, evaluations etc.

Discuss the child’s history and how the child is currently doing.

• The current caregiver, if present, can provide an update.

• If the caregiver is not present, schedule a meeting with the prospective adoptive family to review daily routines and needs.

Discuss the child’s legal status. If the child is not legally free for adoption, discuss the legal risk and the projected course with the family, addressing the following issues:

• the status of the termination of parental rights;

• whether the parents are contesting the severance;

• the parent(s)’ involvement;

• whether the child has visits with the parent(s);

• the projected time-frame for completing the severance; and

• if there are any kinship relationships to be maintained, who are they, what the expectations are; and whether this is required or requested.

Discuss Adoption Subsidy with the prospective adoptive family, addressing the following issues:

• whether the child may be eligible for Adoption Subsidy;

• whether the family is expecting Adoption Subsidy;

• whether the family can adopt without Adoption Subsidy;

• whether the family needs Adoption Subsidy maintenance;

• whether the family expects a specific rate or amount;

• what is included in the Adoption Subsidy and what is not. (If this is a licensed foster home, it is important to explain the difference between foster care reimbursement and Adoption Subsidy.)

• whether the family has specific questions; and

• provide the prospective adoptive family with the Adoption Subsidy Pamphlet, CSO-1642.

Discuss whether there are any reasons the adoptive family should become licensed as foster parents.

• Discuss the transition process, following procedures in Transitioning to an Adoptive Home.

• Advise the family that an initial meeting with the child will be arranged in their current living arrangement and that any move will only occur upon completion of a series of visits.

• Schedule a meeting to develop the plan.

• Discuss how to introduce the new family to the child.

• Discuss expectations about how the transition between homes should occur.

• The transition plan should be child focused and based on the needs of the child.

Note: the plan to transition the child to an adoptive home will be influenced by the child's relationship with the identified adoptive family. A child who has an established relationship with the identified adoptive family may have a less intensive transition.

• Discuss transfer of services, taking note of the following:

• which provider is responsible for each service;

• if the transition should take place after services are transferred; and

• transfer of services between counties or states may take longer, but need to be carefully coordinated to prevent a delay in transitioning the child.

Ensure the prospective adoptive family has ample time to ask questions and provide them with answers.

Allow the family at least 24 hours following the meeting to make a decision about adoption of the child. Recommend the family review all the documents provided and contact the caregiver and/or other parties, before making a decision. Note: If the family does not wish to pursue adoption of the child, the family must return all of the information regarding the child.

Documentation

Document discussion regarding adopting without adoption subsidy in a Note.

Document names of documents and type of non-identifying information shared with the prospective adoptive family in a Note.

Document the identified adoptive family in the case record.

Effective Date: February 1, 2021

Revision History: November 30, 2012,