Introduction to Adoption from Foster Care This training was created through a collaboration between Regional Adoption Staff, the Statewide Adoption Program Manager and the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence.

Let’s start with: What’s your name? Are you currently caring for a child from foster care? What do you hope to get from this training? allianceforchildwelfare.org

How to make the right choice for you OBJECTIVES Today we will cover: Steps to adoption Who can adopt And who can be adopted Types of adoption How to make the right choice for you allianceforchildwelfare.org

Why do children enter Foster Care? Abuse Physical Sexual (including sexual exploitation) Emotional Neglect Medical Educational allianceforchildwelfare.org

Scenario 1 What questions would you ask the case worker if you were called for placement? What might you ask about Nevaeh given her history? allianceforchildwelfare.org

What is Adoption? Permanent, legal transfer of all parental rights from one person/couple to another person/couple. Social and legal protective measure for children in our care. Greatest form of permanency we can offer kids unable to return home. allianceforchildwelfare.org

Core concepts of Adoption Merging of two families and cultures Creating a new family culture Honoring the child’s culture Maintaining sibling contact A lifelong commitment by the whole family Committing to a child on worst days and best days Developing a contingency plan Planning for the future allianceforchildwelfare.org

Who can adopt? People over 18 and no specific age limit People who are married, single or in a relationship Straight, gay, lesbian and transgender parents People of any ethnicity or social group People of any religion or no religious preference People who rent or own their home People who live in an apartment People with high and low incomes People with or without children People with all kinds of backgrounds allianceforchildwelfare.org

Who can be adopted? Legally free Parents’ rights have been terminated by the court Children 14 years or older must consent to their adoption. allianceforchildwelfare.org

How do we get to adoption? Reunification Adoption Guardianship Concurrent Planning: Actively working on two or more potential permanency options for a child. allianceforchildwelfare.org

Legal Steps to Adoption Child is found to be dependent Decision is made through shared planning process to file termination of parental rights petition Termination of parental rights is ordered Child is now legally free allianceforchildwelfare.org

Who are the Children waiting for adoption? allianceforchildwelfare.org

Scenario 2 How has it changed during her time in care? What is Nevaeh’s Permanent Plan? How has it changed during her time in care? allianceforchildwelfare.org

Placement Considerations Parent’s Preference Relative or Tribe All siblings placed together whenever possible A suitable person placement A licensed out of home setting allianceforchildwelfare.org

Considerations for Permanency Consider the child’s best interests Consider time in out of home care Consider stability for the child Consider a placement that meets the child’s safety, and well-being needs including: Educational, Psychological, Relationships, Medical, Safety allianceforchildwelfare.org

Scenario 3 Is sibling and extended biological family contact something your family would consider? allianceforchildwelfare.org

Advised Steps to Adoption Be clear about your needs Think about & explore your “deal breakers:” Are you comfortable with not knowing what a child’s future behavior will be? You may have to change your parenting style to parent a child in out of home care due to abuse or neglect issues. allianceforchildwelfare.org

The Steps in Adoption Public or private agency? License to foster and adopt; or adopt only Contact and begin working with an agency Complete your home study Matching Placement Finalization allianceforchildwelfare.org

Two ways to adopt No Fees Fees Private Agencies Public Agencies Fees Sliding Scale or no cost $5,000 to $40,000 More likely to have case management More likely to help you with matching No Fees You are your own advocate for placements May be asked to foster youth that are not going to be moving toward adoption; you can say no allianceforchildwelfare.org

Two Paths to Adoption Foster to Adopt Adoption Only Complete an approved Unified home study Identified by CA social worker as the adoptive placement Assume the caregiving responsibility of children who are placed in state care with the possibility that the child will become available for adoption Complete an adoption home study Identified by CA social worker as the adoptive placement Provide care for legally free children for the purposes of adoption Also occurs with some private agencies or independent home study writers allianceforchildwelfare.org

Foster to Adopt Cons Pros Legal risk Majority of children will reunify Gain parenting experience Placement of young kids Opportunity to get to know bio family Earlier opportunities to address special needs Build attachment with child sooner Monthly foster reimbursement Increased likelihood of adopting child placed in your home for foster care Legal risk Majority of children will reunify Visitation with bio-parent and contact with other bio-family members Lengthy court process and possible appeals Uncertainty as to outcome allianceforchildwelfare.org

Adoption Only Pros Cons Low to no legal risk Matching process gives families more time to plan Little legal involvement Info about child’s needs provided upfront Older children and teens seeking adoption No requests for foster placement Waiting Matching process Fewer young children and infants No foster care subsidy but might qualify for adoption support Less likelihood to have contact with birth-family allianceforchildwelfare.org

Points to Consider Before Adopting What are your family’s needs? Which type of agency will best meet those needs? Which process will best meet those needs? Ask Yourself: allianceforchildwelfare.org

Home Study An in-depth assessment of a family’s history and current family dynamic, home environment, health, and resources that includes a recommendation of adoption All families, foster and adopt, must have a home study allianceforchildwelfare.org

The Home Study Includes: Application Criminal history background check on all people 16 and over residing in the home Child abuse and criminal clearances Personal information Medical statements Income/financial statement Marital History Form References ( Incl. all adult children) Contacts with licensing social worker (three face to face contacts including at least two in the family home) Includes: allianceforchildwelfare.org

What’s Next? After home study is complete, be proactive and self-advocate Awaiting placement or matching with your child Use the time to attend trainings You may receive calls about fostering a child allianceforchildwelfare.org

Scenario 4 What does proactive and self-advocate mean to you? allianceforchildwelfare.org

Create a cover letter or biography While You’re Waiting… Include personal information not included in your home study Do not overshare Be real Be concise Include a handful of photos Create a cover letter or biography allianceforchildwelfare.org

DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES (DCFS) Who is your worker? DIVISION OF LICENSED RESOURCES (DLR) DIVISION OF FAMILY AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES (DCFS) Licensor Home Study Specialist Child Protective Services (CPS) Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) Adoption Specialist allianceforchildwelfare.org

We look for families to match the child’s needs Matching The process of identifying a family whose traits and skills compliment the unique needs of a child (or siblings) We look for families to match the child’s needs allianceforchildwelfare.org

How are Matches made? Placement desk Selection committee Matching events Recruitment websites Additional resources allianceforchildwelfare.org

Scenario 5 How does your family handle anxiety and uncertainty? What considerations do you think are taken into account? allianceforchildwelfare.org

Placement to Finalization Monthly social worker visits with child(ren) continue Minimum of six months in their current placement prior to finalization Family must receive full disclosure of child’s background and information If the child is eligible, Adoption Support must be negotiated Identify an attorney and file an adoption petition allianceforchildwelfare.org

Scenario 6 Is your family able to adapt to behavior changes and love a child for who they are rather than how they act? Is there something a child could do that would make you stop the adoption process? allianceforchildwelfare.org

Adoption Support: Medical —Medicaid Pre-authorized counseling A program offered to adoptive parents of special needs children that can provide financial, medical and counseling assistance Medical —Medicaid Pre-authorized counseling One Time Adoption Costs Monthly Cash Assistance allianceforchildwelfare.org

Next Steps Interview prospective agencies (including the Division of Licensed Resources). Select your agency If you select a private agency, call them and ask how to start the process If you decide to be licensed by the State, sign-up for the required trainings Complete your application materials (including background checks) allianceforchildwelfare.org

Additional Resources Washington Adoption Resource Exchange (WARE) warekids.org Northwest Adoption Resource Exchange (NWAE) nwae.org AdoptUSKids.org Waiting Child Parties Kids’ Fest and Rotary Family Fest KXLY Spokane Wednesday’s Child World Association for Children and Parents (WACAP), A Family for Me program Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption davethomasfoundation.org Request that your worker present your family at Consortium allianceforchildwelfare.org

Thank you! For Additional Information Contact: Holly Luna for Region 3 lunahop@dshs.wa.gov Laurie Washington for Region 2 mayerla@dshs.wa.gov Andrea Goberville for Region 1 South goberam@dshs.wa.gov MaShelle Hess for Region 1 North hessmam@dshs.wa.gov This training was created through a collaboration between Regional Adoption Staff, the Statewide Adoption Program Manager and the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence. allianceforchildwelfare.org