R501-7-8. Services to Children

  (1) Assessment.

  (a) A needs assessment for the child shall be completed to obtain information and identify characteristics which should be given consideration in selecting and preparing a child for an adoptive family and promote appropriate placement for the child.

  (b) The needs of the child will be determined through this assessment and shall evaluate for high needs or special needs as defined in this chapter.

  (c) A report(s) regarding all assessment information shall be given to the adoptive parent(s) prior to placement.

  (d) If the child is an infant that is not defined as special needs or high need, information shall be obtained from the pre-existing parent(s) and any legal guardian to include all allowable child/pre-existing parent(s) information as defined in this chapter. This information should include:

  (i) If the child is older than six months the same information from Section 2 above, shall be obtained from the birth or legal parent;

  (ii) additional information shall be obtained using an interdisciplinary approach which may include input from: caseworkers, therapists, pediatricians, teachers, previous caregivers, foster parents, nurses, psychologists, and other consultants.

  (e) The assessment shall additionally include:

  (i) information pertaining to changes in caregivers including foster care, separation experiences and description of the child's behaviors;

  (ii) all evaluations regarding a child's development including; physical, social, emotional, mental health and cognitive;

  (iii) the child's educational records, and any special educational needs;

  (iv) talents and interests; and

  (v) if the child is identified as having special needs or is a high needs child as defined in 62A-4a-601, specific training for prospective adoptive parent(s) is statutorily mandated.

  (2) Recruitment of adoptive families.

  (a) Child placing adoption agencies shall recruit adoptive families that are able to meet the needs of children the agency serves.

  (b) If the family states they would be open to a child with special needs or high needs, they will complete training specific to identified needs and in compliance with 62A-4a-609-2.

  (3) Matching.

  (a) The selection of the adoptive family and the adoptive family's decision to adopt a specific child shall be based on the following:

  (i) the child's assessment;

  (ii) adoptive family's ability to meet the identified and potential needs of the child;

  (iii) the wishes of the pre-existing parent(s) who voluntarily relinquish their rights, the adoptive parent(s), and when applicable, the child, shall be considered.

  (4) Placement.

  (a) A child placing adoption agency shall attempt to place siblings together when appropriate for the children's needs and pre-existing parent(s) wishes.

  (b) A child shall be placed with the adoptive family at the earliest time possible after being freed for placement or adoption.

  (c) A child placing adoption agency shall have an individualized written adoptive placement and transition plan that includes the child's current caregivers, the adoptive parent(s), and the child, to facilitate the child's transition into the adoptive family and ensures the family's ability to meet the child's needs.

  (i) The transition plan shall consider and include as applicable:

  (A) the child's stated preferences;

  (B) the child's identified religion;

  (C) identification of services the family and child may need based on assessment information;

  (D) statement of who is responsible for identifying services and who is responsible for paying for such services;

  (E) time frames for transition that consider and accommodate the identified and potential needs of the child in preparing the child for placement; and

  (F) developmentally appropriate counseling with the child to address to mitigate transition related emotional trauma.

  (d) If a child placing adoption agency other than DCFS assumes custody of a child and the child is not able to be directly placed in an adoptive placement:

  (i) the agency may temporarily place the child in a currently home studied adoptive home for up to 30 days; or

  (ii) if the child needs temporary care for more than 30 days, the agency shall contract with a licensed foster care program or obtain a license to provide foster care services for children in its custody, in accordance with R501-12.

  (e) A private child placing adoption agency shall obtain a copy of the foster home or facility license prior to placing a child, and shall retain the license in the child's case file.

  (f) If a child is not placed within 30 days after relinquishment or after determination of availability for adoption by the court, the agency shall document its efforts to screen the child with other child placing agencies and shall list the child with local, regional, and inter-state adoption exchanges

  (5) Post Placement Service.

  (a) The child placing agency shall monitor and support each placement until the adoption is final.

  (b) An agency social worker shall contact the adoptive family within 2 weeks of the placement to offer support. This does not count towards the pre-finalization visit.

  (c) Prior to finalization, a minimum of one in-home supervisory visit with both parents and child present shall be made by an agency social worker:

  (i) to assess that the child and family are adjusting and child is receiving necessary care, nurturance, medical care, and services as needed.

  (d) The agency shall monitor who has legal and physical responsibility for the child at all times.

  (6) Disruption.

  (a) If a disruption occurs, a child placing agency shall provide for the care of the child.

  (i) The placement shall:

  (A) be in a currently home studied adoptive home for no longer than 30 days unless it is the identified subsequent adoptive placement;

  (B) be in a licensed or certified foster home governed by Rule R501-12; or

  (C) be approved by a judge.