R512-41-5. Matching the Child and the Adoptive Parent(s)

  (1) The selection of the adoptive parent(s) for a child or sibling group will be determined based on the best interest of the child.

  (2) The decision must be based on a thorough assessment of the child's current and potential development, medical, emotional, and educational needs, as well as needs for family connections.

  (3) The capacity of the prospective adoptive parent(s) to successfully meet the child's needs and to love and accept the child as a fully integrated member of the family must be considered.

  (4) The child's preference may be considered, if the child has the capacity to express a preference.

  (5) Sibling groups should not be separated.

  (a) If siblings are not placed together and there are no safety concerns that preclude the siblings being together, Child and Family Services should reconsider a family for all the siblings to be adopted together.

  (b) If the siblings are not able to be adopted together or if being taken from a current family would create undue trauma to the child, arrangements should be made to allow life-long contact to be pursued between the adoptive families of the separated siblings.

  (6) Foster care parent(s) (or other caregiver with physical custody) of the child may be given preferential consideration for adoption if the child has substantial emotional ties with the foster parent(s)/caregiver and if removal of the child from the foster parent(s)/caregiver would be detrimental to the child's well-being.

  (7) Child and Family Services shall provide detailed information about the child to the prospective adoptive parent(s), allowing sufficient time for the prospective adoptive parent(s) to make an informed decision regarding placement of the child. The information given to the prospective adoptive parent(s) must include detailed information available in writing that is important to raise the child. Child and Family Services and the prospective adoptive parent(s) will acknowledge receipt of the information by signing a Child and Family Services' information disclosure form. Child and Family Services shall respond to questions or concerns of the prospective adoptive parent(s). The prospective adoptive parent(s) shall have the opportunity to meet the child prior to permanent placement. Release of all documents is subject to the Government Records Access Management Act, Title 63G, Chapter 2.

  (8) When the approved adoptive parent(s) agree to accept the placement of a child for adoption, the adoptive parent(s) and a representative from Child and Family Services shall sign an agreement for the intent to adopt a specific child on a form provided by Child and Family Services.

  (9) When the adoptive parent(s) agree to accept the placement of a child who is not free for adoption, the parent(s) shall sign Child and Family Services' foster care agreement.