OKDHS.org - OAC 340:75-15-59. Transition to adoptive placement

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340:75-15-59. Transition to adoptive placement

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Revised 6-1-07

(a) Coordination of placement process. The adoption specialist in consultation with the child's Child Welfare (CW) worker determines how to best transition the child into the adoptive family. If there are differences or issues in how best to proceed, the area adoption supervisor, in consultation with the CW supervisor, assists with a resolution. Visits between the child and adoptive family occur prior to placement.

(1) Each visit is evaluated before a decision is made for additional visits, and to determine whether the child and family are ready for placement.
(2) Visits may be of different duration depending on the child's age and readiness or upon the adoptive family's request.
(3) When the adoptive family is interested but uncertain about a particular child, a blind showing, where the child is not aware that he or she is meeting with a potential adoptive family, may be arranged.

(b) Pre-placement and placement agreements. Form 04AN021E, Preadoptive Placement Visit Agreement, is completed with the family prior to pre‑placement visitation. Form 04AN015E, Adoptive Placement Agreement, is completed with the family when the child is placed in trial adoption.

(c) Out-of-state placements. When an out-of-state adoptive family is identified and placement is authorized by Children and Family Services Division Adoption Services Section for a child in Oklahoma, pre-placement visits are arranged in coordination with the Adoption Services Section. The visits may include the child traveling to the adoptive family's home and visitation with the child in Oklahoma by the adoptive family.

(d) Direct placement. Direct placement of a child into an adoptive home requires approval by the Adoption Services Section. Direct placement is only used when the child must be moved immediately from his or her present placement, which does not allow for transitioning the child into the adoptive home. • 1 through 3

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-15-59

Revised 6-1-07

1. (a) Blind showing. The child's Child Welfare (CW) worker takes the child to a neutral setting where he or she "accidentally" runs into "friends" of the worker, such as the adoptive family and adoption specialist. A blind showing may also be arranged at a scheduled adoption party.

(b) Pre-placement visits. The adoption specialist completes, in duplicate, with the adoptive family Form 04AN021E, Preadoptive Placement Visit Agreement. It is in the child's and adoptive family's best interests for visits to occur prior to placement to assist in a smooth transition into the adoptive home.

(1) The best indicator for a successful adoption is the child's ability to attach. If the child has attached to the foster family there is good reason to believe the child can also attach to the adoptive family, if permission to do so and assistance by the foster parent is given to the child. The child must be assisted in grieving the loss and separation from the foster family.

(2) The adoption specialist and child's CW worker may consider:

(A) a daytime visit between the child and adoptive family. The CW worker and in some cases, after careful consideration, the foster parent may be included in the visit. The adoptive family is afforded some time alone with the child at every visit;

(B) an overnight visit, with the child returning to the foster home before a decision is made for placement; or

(C) an open-ended visit. If there is any concern on the part of the child, especially an older child, or on the part of the adoptive family about placement, the child may be sent on a visit with the family for a planned period of time. A decision is made prior to the end of the visit about whether the child returns to the foster home or moves into the adoptive placement.

2. Direct placement. Direct placement occurs when the:

(1) child is moved due to abuse or neglect in his or her present placement;

(2) foster parent requests the child be moved and transitioning the child would result in an additional placement; or

(3) child is placed directly from the hospital into an adoptive home.

3. Physical placement of the child. The adoption specialist and child's CW worker coordinate in determining when and where the placement occurs. At the time of placement, the documents and items in (1) through (3) are completed and routed as indicated.

(1) The adoption specialist completes, in duplicate, with the adoptive family Form 04AN015E, Adoptive Placement Agreement, and Form 15GR004E, Notice of Grievance Rights - Minors in OKDHS Custody, for each child placed. One copy of each is routed to the adoptive:

(A) family; and

(B) family record.

(2) The child's CW worker transfers the child's birth family record to the adoption specialist, per OAC 340:75-15-103 Instructions to Staff.

(3) The child's CW worker delivers to the adoption specialist the child's:

(A) medical card;

(B) immunization records;

(C)education records;

(D) shoes and at least five changes of seasonably appropriate clothes;

(E) other personal belongings; and

(F) Life Book.

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