R512-40-6. Follow-up Services

  (1) The identified committee in the region that reviews home studies will review each home study provided by the Department of Human Services, Office of Licensing, and any other detailed information regarding the adoptive parent. As a result of the review, the region committee will determine if the adoptive parent is approved to receive adoptive placements, if the adoptive parent is denied for adoptive placements, or if more information is needed from the adoptive parent.

  (a) If the adoptive parent is approved for adoptive placements, the region committee (or region designee) will send a letter to the adoptive parent to let them know that they are approved for adoptive placements.

  (b) When Child and Family Services determines through the region committee that there are concerns about making an adoptive placement with the adoptive applicant:

  (i) The region committee or designee will provide their concerns in writing to designated region staff. The concerns will include any steps an adoptive applicant may take in order remedy concerns.

  (ii) Two designated region staff members will meet with the adoptive applicant and review the concerns outlined by the region committee, including whether the concerns can be resolved.

  (iii) The region designees will take clarifying information and/or steps that the adoptive applicant has taken to remedy concerns back to the region home study committee.

  (iv) If the adoptive applicant has been able to remedy the concerns to the satisfaction of the region committee, the region committee will approve the adoptive parent to receive adoptive placements.

  (v) If the adoptive applicant is unable or unwilling to remedy the concerns, a formal, written letter will be sent to the adoptive applicant explaining that Child and Family Services will not be making an adoptive placement with them.

  (c) If an adoptive applicant is denied for adoptive placements, the family may request that the Child and Family Services region director or designee review the reasons for the denial. The Child and Family Services region director or designee is the only person who has the authority to reverse a denial.

  (2) If a home study was conducted to evaluate a family for a specific child or a relative or friend known to the child as defined in Section 78A-6-307,the home study will be reviewed by the child's caseworker or designated adoption worker to determine if the adoptive parent is the best family to meet the child's needs.

  (3) All adoptive home studies will require an updated amendment at least every 18 months to be considered current for child placement or adoption:

  (a) A family licensed as a foster parent will require a home study update every 12 months to include background and child abuse registry clearances and to address any changes in the circumstances of the family.

  (b) A family that is not licensed as a foster parent or has let their license lapse must have a home study update within 18 months of the original home study to include background and child abuse registry clearances and address any changes in the circumstances of the family.

  (c) A home study that is older than two years will require new training requirements and a complete new home study.

  (4) The home study document will be maintained in the Child and Family Services offices and will be destroyed according the retention schedule.