R501-7-9. Services to Adoptive Parents

  (1) The Division of Child and Family services shall comply with 62A-4a and R512 in regards to services provided to adoptive parent(s), including disclosing all allowable child/pre-existing parent(s) information to the prospective adoptive family.

  (2) A child placing adoption agency other than the Division of Child and Family Services shall:

  (a) provide the adoptive parent(s) orientation form to potential adoptive parent(s) who shall sign and initial the form and shall be offered the opportunity to ask clarifying questions prior to match or payment of any fees in excess of $500.00;

  (i) adoptive parent(s) will be given the opportunity for questions/clarifications before initialing and signing the document;

  (b) provide prospective adoptive parent(s) with a written description of their services, fees, policies and procedures;

  (c) explain the adoption process and the pre-existing parent(s)' rights, including the status of any putative father, to the prospective adoptive parent(s);

  (i) a copy of the Office provided pre-existing parent(s) adoptive orientation form shall be provided to adoptive parent(s) for information purposes with an acknowledgement that they have discussed and received this information;

  (d) provide training as outlined in 62A-4a-609 in regards to high needs child, as required;

  (e) per 62A-4a-607 the agency shall inform each prospective adoptive parent(s) that the state has children available for adoption and that adoption from the Division of Child and Family Services incurs no agency fees and adoption assistance may be available when adopting children in the custody of the state;

  (f) inform adoptive parent(s) that when a child has a disability, the child may be eligible for SSI benefits and/or federal adoption assistance. The Agency shall refer the potential adoptive parent(s) to coordinate with the Division of People with Disabilities for further disability resources and with Division of Child and Family Services to apply for potential federal adoption assistance; and

  (g) a child placing adoption agency shall inform prospective adoptive parent(s) of Utah's Mutual Consent Voluntary Adoption Registry, Section 78B-6-144.

  (3) A home study completed by an adoption service provider as outlined in 78B-6-128-2(C) for each adoptive family shall include:

  (a) a recommendation to the court regarding the suitability of the prospective adoptive parent(s) or placement of a child;

  (b) a description of in-person interviews with the prospective adoptive parent(s), prospective adoptive parent(s)', children, and other individuals living in the home;

  (c) criminal background and child abuse screening of adoptive applicants and other adults living in the home in accordance with R501-14, and Sections 53-10-108(4) and 78B-6-128;

  (i) agencies must separately obtain the child abuse registry report through the Division of Child and Family Services in Utah and any out of state comparable entities in order to show compliance with 78B-6-128;

  (d) written descriptions from at least two non-related and one related references regarding the character and suitability of the prospective adoptive parent(s) for parenting an adoptive child;

  (e) a medical history and a doctor's report, based upon a doctor's physical examination of each applicant, made within two years prior to the date of the application;

  (f) description of inspections of the home, to determine whether sufficient space and facilities exist to meet the needs of the child and whether basic health and safety standards are maintained; and

  (g) description of documented income for each adoptive applicant and a written plan for adoptive applicants who work outside the home addressing how they shall provide security and responsible child care to meet individual child needs.

  (4) The adoptive applicants shall be informed, in writing, and within ten business days after the decision is made, as to the acceptance or the reasons for the denial of their home study.

  (a) The agency shall provide applicants with a written copy of the agency's appeal process, which shall include the right to submit a written appeal and request for reconsideration, upon order of the court in accordance with Section 78B-6-128.

  (5) A child placing adoption agency shall select applicants who:

  (a) are able to provide the continuity of a caring relationship;

  (b) are informed with regard to a child's ethnic, religious, cultural, and racial heritage; and

  (c) understand the needs of a child at various developmental stages.

  (6) The agency's policies regarding the consideration of religion and marital status in the selection of adoptive families shall be clearly stated in its initial consultation with prospective adoptive parent(s). This disclosure shall also be clearly stated in writing on the adoptive parent(s)' application for services forms.

  (7) The agency shall verify that an applicant's income is sufficient to provide for a child's needs.

  (8) The agency shall not reject an applicant solely based upon the applicant's choice to work outside the home. Applicants who work outside the home shall provide a written plan describing how they shall provide security and responsible child care to meet the individual child's needs.

  (9) Except when authorized by court order pursuant to Section 78B-6-128, a child placing adoption agency shall not place a child in an adoptive home until the home study and each adult's criminal and abuse background screenings have been approved.

  (10) Matching.

  (a) Disclose all allowable child/pre-existing parent(s) information to the prospective adoptive family.

  (b) Ensure known special needs are disclosed and referrals and information are provided as necessary to prepare the family to meet the long term needs of the child.

  (c) A child placing adoption agency shall not make a legal risk placement unless the prospective adoptive parent(s) have first given their written consent, indicating that they have been fully informed of the specific risks involved.

  (d) Develop the capacities of the parents to meet the ongoing needs of the child according to the child's needs and the transition plan.

  (e) Matches may only occur once sufficient non-identifying information sharing has occurred to allow for informed decision making by both parties.

  (11) Placement.

  (a) A child placing adoption agency shall provide continuing support to the child and the adoptive family after placement and before finalization of the adoption, to include:

  (i) providing or making referrals to services such as counseling, crisis intervention, respite care, and support groups; and

  (ii) monitoring the child's adjustment and development.

  (b) The frequency of home visits, office contacts, telephone calls, and other contacts by the child placing adoption agency shall depend on the needs of the child and the adoptive family and may vary depending whether the child is an infant, an older child, or a child with medical or other challenges, and whether the adoptive parent(s) are faced with unanticipated problems.

  (c) The first contact after placement shall take place within two weeks of placement.

  (d) A minimum of one face-to-face supervisory home visit after the initial two week contact shall take place before finalization.

  (12) Disruption.

  (a) The agency may remove the child from the adoptive placement due to circumstances that may impair the child's security in the family or jeopardize the child's physical and emotional development, including but not limited to incompatibility; mental illness; seriously incapacitating illness; the death of one of the adoptive parent(s); the separation or divorce of the adoptive parent(s); the abuse, neglect, or rejection of the child; the lack of attachment to the child; or a request by the adopting parents to remove the child.

  (b) If a child is removed from an adoptive home by a child placing adoption agency, the adoptive parent(s) shall be entitled to appeal the removal decision.

  (i) The agency shall provide the adoptive parent(s) written notice of their right to appeal and the procedure for appeal.

  (13) Finalization.

  (a) A child placing adoption agency shall provide assistance in finalizing the adoption.