1.   Sibling separation.  Requests to separate siblings for the purpose of adoptive placement are:

(1) submitted in a memo to Children and Family Services Division (CFSD) Permanency Planning Section;

(2) reviewed by the Sibling Separation Committee that meets monthly and is comprised of representatives from CFSD:

(A) Child Protective Services;

(B) Permanency Planning;

(C) Foster Care;

(D) Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC);

(E) Indian Child Welfare; and

(F) Adoption;

(3) approved, denied, or the committee may agree that additional information is needed to render a decision;

(4) required to include:

(A) each child's KK number, name, age, and date of birth;

(B) a brief summary of the reasons each child came into care and length of time in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) custody;

(C) each child's current placement, length of time in current placement, and length of time placed apart from siblings, and efforts made to place the siblings together in foster care or to reunite into one home;

(D) if siblings were placed together at any time while in OKDHS custody, the dates of placement, length of time together, and an explanation regarding the disruption of the placement;

(E) a description of day-to-day behavior of each child at home, school, and place of worship;

(F) frequency and type of contact among the siblings;

(G) recommendations of the counselors or therapists involved with each child;

(H) desires of each child regarding placement;

(I) a permanency recommendation for each child; and

(J) signatures of requesting CW worker and supervisor;

(5) justified.  Reasons for the separation request and behaviors referenced in the request are thoroughly detailed.  For example, rather than stating that a child is difficult, specific behaviors must be identified; and

(6) supported with appropriate documentation, as applicable, such as letters from counselors or therapists, psychological evaluations, court‑appointed special advocate (CASA) recommendation, criteria staffing notes, Permanency Planning Review forms, and Form 04AN026E, Assessment of Child by Caregiver. 

(A) Letters from the child's TFC counselor must be signed by the TFC agency director.