allianceforchildwelfare.org Adoptions

write your best definition What is Adoption? write your best definition The act of creating the legal relationship between parent and child where it did not exist, thereby declaring the child to be legally the child of the adoptive parents and their heir at law, and entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all the obligation of a child born to the adoptive parents A means of meeting the developmental needs of a child by legally transferring ongoing parental responsibilities for that child from the birth parents to adoptive parents, recognizing that in the process a new kinship network is created that forever links those two families together through the child that is shared by both. University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Child Welfare Values and Standards Every child has a right to a safe family environment during the critical years before adulthood Residing with the legal or biological parent is presumed to be in the child’s best interest – baring safety concerns The state has an obligation to intervene in certain circumstances Residing with a suitable relative is presumed to be in the child’s best interest in most cases, when out of home care is needed The state has an obligation to pursue reunification through engagement, assessment, and support of the legal parents in most circumstances The state has an obligation to concurrently work to establish a legally binding safe and stable option besides return home A child has a right to speedy resolution of the concern and integration into a safe, stable family environment University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Federal Legal Context for Adoption Federal Laws – What do you remember about…? ASFA ICWA ICPC MEPA/IEPA University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Safe, Stable, Timely Adoptions Let’s start at the very beginning…. …A very good place to start Stabilize and support the child Support birth parents Long-term placements from the start Know and follow state law and policy Keep an eye on the clock University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Stabilize and Support the Child Intensive Intervention Targeted Social & Emotional Supports High Quality Supportive Environments Nurturing & Responsive Relationships From the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Stabilize and Support the Child Nurturing and Responsive Relationships In Placement and with Birth Family (visitation) Connections with siblings and extended family Other important people/institutions High Quality Supportive Environments Daycare and School Other Considerations Cultural needs or connections Remember MEPA/IEPA Environments Relationships University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Stabilize and Support the Child Targeted Social and Emotional Supports Assessment and Evaluation of concerns Trauma history, behavioral and mental health concerns Medical/dental/vision issues and screenings Developmental concerns Educational progress, needs, and barriers Social and adaptive skills Building Resilience Age appropriate skills and activities Social skills support and success Opportunities for discovery, connection, and success Targeted Supports University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Stabilize and Support the Child Intensive Intervention Evidence based treatment programs Specialized services and supports Medical or other Therapies In-home supports to placements Intensive Intervention University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Support Birth Parents Engagement and assessment Ongoing support towards change Ongoing documentation of efforts and progress Ongoing discussion of progress, timelines, and permanence University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Long-Term Placements from the Start Ask prior to and at the outset of placement about the potential for permanence Homestudy process Supports and services to maintain placement Continue relative search and relative engagement - ICPC Who is in the child’s life now? Who has the child had a relationship with? Preparing the family for adoption and the process when TPR is imminent University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Know and Follow State Law and Policy See handout Summarize main points/key actions, requirements, prohibitions University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Keep an Eye on the Clock Goal – adoption within 24 months of initial placement Timeline issues: Legally severing relationship with parents Child in home of choice 6 months Adoption homestudy Adoption proceeding University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Selecting an Adoptive Caregiver What qualifies a family as a good match? Attitudes, skills, knowledge that match well with child’s short and long term needs Services and supports to help the family build these skills Financial and emotional stability/fitness Community of support University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Move forward with Adoption When Best permanent plan for child Child legally free Youth 13 or over agrees Caregiver is qualified, willing, and able to adopt Policy/legal requirements met Approved homestudy Disclosure of child’s needs/ file University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Family of Origin Involvement Prior to adoption Participate in relative search process Provide medical/social history Cultural history Determine desired level of contact post-adoption Activities to help the child cope with loss and manage change After adoption Support for grief and loss Encouragement and hope for future Responsible participation in the child’s life University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Family of Origin Involvement Communication/ Open Adoption Agreements University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Preparing the Family and Child for Adoption Stages of the Adoption Process Placement Honeymoon Pre-Finalization Post Finalization Common themes to be addressed: Answering the child’s questions - based on developmental stage Signs of grief, loss, and trauma - by developmental stage Creating permanent connections and an identity of belonging Creating a family identity that celebrates the child’s adoption journey University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

Adoption Support Funds Offsets some costs related to: Adoption process Child’s special needs Eligibility and amount determined prior to adoption Family must apply May be amended post adoption University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children

The Legal Adoption Process Child in placement > six months Child legally free and consents to adoption Adoption homestudy complete and approved Adoption support settled Adoptive parents obtain lawyer to submit Petition for Adoption Other documents submitted to court Adoption hearing scheduled Adoption hearing takes place Court hears from all interested parties Decree of Adoption issued – Parent/Child relationship legal Adoptive parents submit Decree to DOH (new birth certificate) and SSA (new ss number) University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children