Chapter 5 : Section 11

Transitioning to an Adoptive Home

Procedures

A transition plan is necessary prior to transitioning a child into an adoptive home. Pre-placement planning is important to decrease anxiety and limit the child's perception of loss. Including the out-of-home caregiver and prospective adoptive parents in the process to build their relationship and help facilitate the attachment process. Consider the following when developing a plan to transition the child to an adoptive home:

• the age and identified special needs of the child;

• the physical location of the child to the prospective adoptive parents home;

• the expressed concerns of the child if the child is of an age/ability to appropriately express their desires;

• any therapeutic recommendations or suggestions regarding visitation; and

• the child’s developmental level, schedule, likes and interests, fears and anxieties.

• Allowing the child to keep familiar belongings, maintaining the child’s schedule, familiar child care practices and maintaining cultural continuity.

Transitioning the child

Develop the plan to transition the child using the Guide to Placement Transitions, CSO-3134A and Placement Transition Checklist, CSO-3134B.

• The plan is developed by the Adoption/DCS Specialist, prospective adoptive family, current out-of-home caregiver and others as needed.

• The transition will vary on a case-by-case basis.

• The plan should be child focused and based on the needs of the child as identified in the preparation section.

• Include when and where the first visit will occur.

• Identify when and where visits will occur and activities during visits.

• Discuss how many visits are anticipated.

• Discuss overnight visits and how to decide when the child is ready.

• Discuss what will determine when the child is ready to move to the new home.

• Provide written copies of the transition plan to the prospective adoptive family and current out-of-home caregiver.

• Prepare the child for the upcoming move. (Follow procedures in Assessing Child's Needs and Preparing for an Adoptive Home.)

• How the child is prepared will depend on the age and circumstances of the child.

• The appropriate person to prepare the child will depend on the individual child and may be presented by the child's Adoption/DCS Specialist, current out-of-home caregiver, therapist, or someone else close to the child.

• It is important that all team members know the plan and communicate the same information to the child.

• Present pictures of the prospective adoptive family to the child prior to the child meeting the prospective adoptive parents.

• Provide a copy of the plan for the transition including a written schedule of the visits and activities to the child.

Schedule the first visit between the prospective adoptive parents and the child.

• The first visit should occur at the child's residence.

• The Adoption/DCS Specialist must be present during the first visit. The previous DCS Specialist may also be invited to the first visit if there a more significant relationship with the child.

• During the first visit, schedule the next two to three visits between the child and the prospective adoptive parents.

During the transition period:

• The Adoption/DCS Specialist must communicate frequently with the current out-of-home caregiver and the prospective adoptive parents to gauge how the child is doing.

• Discuss with the current out-of-home caregiver and the prospective adoptive parents how the child is adapting and ways to help the child.

• Discuss future visits and the anticipated date the child will be moved.

Arrange services (therapist, psychiatrist, speech, therapist, etc.) for the child during the transition.

• Ensure services are coordinated and arrangements are made for the child to attend appointments.

• Determine who will be taking the child to appointments during each step of the transition.

• Maintain services with the same providers, if possible, but at least until the child is settled in the new home and new services are arranged as necessary.

• If it is not possible to keep the same providers, ensure all services are transferred prior to a final move date for the child.

Have a case conference when the child is ready to move to the new home.

• Include the prospective adoptive family, current out-of-home caregiver and all service providers.

• Discuss all of the people involved with the child such as the CASA, GAL, child's attorney, doctors, dentists, therapists and any family.

• Discuss the child's services and appointments.

• Confirm all services are in place.

• Discuss final details.

Arrange for the child to move to the new home.

• If a child is legally free for adoption, the child can be placed with the certified adoptive family without completing any additional paperwork.

• If a child is not legally free for adoption and being placed in a certified adoptive home, a Motion for Physical Custody Change must be filed by the Adoption/DCS Specialist.

  • The motion should be filed while the child is having visits with the prospective adoptive family.

  • The Adoption/ DCS Specialist does not need to complete a home study since the prospective adoptive parents have already been certified to adopt.

• If the child is not legally free for adoption and the prospective adoptive parents are also licensed to provide foster care, a Motion for Physical Custody Change does not have to be filed.

Ensure the DCS Specialist provides the prospective adoptive family with the Initial Placement Information and:

• Reviews the information with the prospective adoptive family.

• Discusses the child's services and appointments.

• Explains foster care billing, if applicable.

• Answers the family's questions.

Have the prospective adoptive parents sign the Adoptive Placement Agreement, CSO-1055A once the child is placed for adoption in their home. The Adoptive Placement Agreement should be sent to the adoption agency within two working days of placement of the child.

Effective Date: September 25, 2024

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