R512-41-9. Adoption Committee

  (1) An Adoption Committee will be appointed in each Child and Family Services region and will consist of at least three members to include senior-level Child and Family Services staff and one or more members from an outside agency with expertise in adoption or foster care.

  (2) The Adoption Committee is responsible for deciding adoptive parent(s) who can best meet the needs of a child when the child is not residing with the family that will adopt. The Adoption Committee is also responsible for recommending removal of the child from a placement when indicated.

  (3) Anyone who has information regarding the child and the prospective adoptive parents under consideration may be invited by the Adoption Committee to present information but not to participate in the deliberations.

  (4) Any member of the Adoption Committee who has a potential conflict of interest must recuse himself or herself from the proceeding.

  (5) The Adoption Committee will reach its decision through consensus. If consensus cannot be reached, the Adoption Committee will submit their recommendation to the region director for a decision.

  (6) Child and Family Services will send written notification of selection to the adoptive parent(s).

  (7) A family or individual that is not selected for an adoption placement of a specific child shall have no right to appeal the decision, unless the parent(s) not selected for the adoptive placement is the child's current foster parent(s) and the foster parent(s) have completed all requirements. If the foster parent(s) are not selected for the adoptive placement, the foster parent(s) due process rights for removal of a child apply (Rule R512-31).

  (8) The adoption committee will make and retain a written record of their proceedings. All proceedings are confidential.