Chapter 5 : Section 18

Adoption Home Study and Certification

Procedures

Considering an Adoptive Family

In assessing a prospective adoptive family, consider:

• whether the family will be able to meet a child's basic physical needs;

• whether the family will be able to meet a child's basic needs for safety, nurturance and guidance;

• whether the family appears to understand and accept the dynamics of adoption, including the child's knowledge of his or her birth parents; and

• whether all family members - and the family unit collectively - appear stable enough to accept the changes that the addition of an adopted child will bring to the family.

Certifying a Family to Adopt

Adoption Certification Specialist (DCS Specialist or Contracted Entity):

Conduct interviews with each household member, including each child household member, if appropriate to the child's age and development level, to include at least:

• two interviews in the applicant's home;

• one interview with each applicant, individually; and

• one joint interview with applicants if:

  • applicants are married; or

  • another adult household member is applying for a license or is currently licensed.

During interviews, discuss the prospective adoptive parents wishes and expectations for an adoptive child and explore concerns related to their parenting.

Contact at least five references identified by the applicant for a written statement. No more than two of the identified references should be related to the applicant. Personal contact, either in person or via telephone, shall be made with at least one of the identified references.

If the prospective adoptive family is licensed, check the Foster Home license, Adult Developmental Home License or Adoption Certification Application for Court/Agency Actions involving:

• allegations of abuse or neglect of a child;

• a dependency action on a child; or

• a termination of parental rights.

If Court/Agency Actions are found, gather additional information:

• If the case was within the Department, review the Department's record to obtain the information necessary for the Adoption Home Study.

• If the Department was not involved in the case, contact the Attorney General's Office for help in making an application to review the court file. Obtain the following information from the court file and include it in the Adoption Home Study:

  • the year, title, case number and county of the court action;

  • the name, birthdate, and birthplace of the child involved in the action;

  • the name of the DCS Specialist, attorney and judge involved in the action;

  • the outcome of the action;

  • whether the applicant was a party to the action; and

  • other information that appears relevant to the application to adopt.

If the Adoption Home Study is being completed by Department staff, conduct a search of the Department of Child Safety (DCS) Central Registry for substantiated reports of child abuse and neglect.

If the family appears inappropriate to adopt, consult with the DCS Program Supervisor. If the assigned supervisor concurs, meet with the family to discuss:

• specific changes the family must make in order to be considered as a potential adoptive family;

• any additional information that may affect the assessment;

• the family's option to voluntarily withdrawal their application for adoption certification; and/or

• the consequences of moving forward with the Department's recommendation that the family is not acceptable to adopt and the family's right to appeal, if the court certifies the family as unacceptable to adopt.

If the family appears appropriate to adopt, request the family provide the following documentation:

• medical information on each adult in the home, provided by a licensed medical practitioner on the Health Self-Disclosure, CSO-1232A and the Physician's Statement, CSO-1269A;

• medical information on each child in the home, provided by a licensed medical practitioner;

• a recent picture of the family members and their home;

• proof of marriage(s);

• proof of divorce(s);

• military discharge papers;

• pay stubs, to verify earnings of each employed family member;

• bankruptcy filed in the past seven years (if applicable);

• written statement from the family's health insurance company, if any, regarding coverage available to the adoptive child upon placement in the home and after the adoption is finalized; and

• verification of residency status for non-citizens.

At the conclusion of the Adoption Home Study process, submit the Adoption Home Study and results of the application for a fingerprint clearance card or proof of application for the fingerprint clearance card, DCS Central Registry records check, along with the recommendation that the family is "acceptable" or "not acceptable" to adopt to the court for action. Check with the local Clerk of the Court to determine any further requirements, as they can vary by county. The Adoption Home Study report must be signed by both the Adoption Certification Specialist and Supervisor.

If the Department or contracted entity is recommending that an applicant is not acceptable to adopt, the Department or contracted entity shall send the family written notification of the following at least five work days prior to the filing of the Adoption Home Study to the court:

• the specific reasons for the recommendation;

• their right to petition the court to review that certification decision; and

• if they are certified as non-acceptable to adopt by the court, they may not reapply for one year.

If the Department or contracted entity recommends that an applicant is acceptable to adopt but the court finds the applicant non-acceptable, the Department or contracted entity may notify the applicant as provided above if the Court fails to do so.

Documentation

If an outside agency will complete the Adoption Home Study, the Specialist will complete a service request for a FAS Adoption Certification or KSS Home Assessment in Guardian.

If the family withdraws from consideration prior to certification, update the Provider record and Adoption Details in Guardian.

Effective Date: February 10, 2025

Revision History: November 30, 2012, February 1, 2021