Revised 5-15-09
1. (a) Response to prospective Bridge resource applicants. The adoption specialist:
(1) plans the intake interview for a location that best meets the needs of the family, such as:
(A) the local Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) office;
(B) the family's home. When the intake interview is done in the home, Form 04AF004E, House Assessment, is completed at this time; or
(C) another site selected by the family;
(2) explains the adoption process;
(3) explains the types of children waiting for Bridge resource homes;
(4) answers the prospective applicant's questions during the intake interview; and
(5) shares non-identifying information about children for whom OKDHS has responsibility for adoptive planning.
(A) The information is general and does not reveal confidential information about the child or the child's biological family.
(B) The information sharing process assists the family in gaining realistic expectations about the children available for adoption and the family's ability to parent these children.
(b) Initial screening. When an applicant inquires about adopting a child of a certain age, race, or other characteristic OKDHS reasonably believes may not be available for adoption in the foreseeable future, the adoption specialist:
(1) explains to the applicant this type of child is generally:
(A) part of a sibling group;
(B) placed with a relative; or
(C) placed with an existing approved applicant awaiting adoptive placement of sibling groups;
(2) provides information about the types of children available through OKDHS and encourages the applicant to consider these children; and
(3) refers the applicant to licensed child-placing agencies that are better able to place children matching their request.
2. (a) Application packet. The adoption specialist:
(1) reviews each form with the family to explain its purpose;
(2) advises the family that the home assessment may begin when Forms 04AF001E, Bridge Resource Family Assessment Application, and 04AF005E, Notice to Bridge Resource Applicant(s), are returned; and
(3) explains that the other forms may be completed during the assessment process. The forms included in the packet are:
(A) Form 04AD003E, Request for Background Check, and fingerprint cards are completed by each applicant and all adult household members. All names, including maiden names, used by each adult household member must be included on Form 04AD003E.
(B) Form 04AF010E, Resource Family Financial Assessment;
(C) Form 04AF001E, Bridge Resource Family Assessment Application;
(D) Form 04AF008E, Medical Examination Report, for each adult family member and a doctor's statement of health on the children;
(E) Form 04AF017E, Family Health History;
(F) Form 04TB001E, Letter to Verify Tribal Membership of Resource Family Applicants. Resource family members who are tribal members or eligible for tribal membership submit this form;
(G) Forms 04AF020E, Family/Parent Questionnaire, and 04AF019E, Child's Questionnaire, that are an optional component of the assessment process. The family is advised they have the option of completing these forms or sharing this information through interviews with the adoption specialist;
(H) Form 04AF018E, Child Needs Information Checklist; and
(I) Form 04AF005E, Notice to Bridge Resource Applicants.
(b) Assessment procedure. The family is advised that an area subcontractor will contact the family to begin the resource family assessment.
3. The procedures for reapplication to adopt are:
(1) when an adoptive home case is reopened after a family has adopted a child from OKDHS, the adoptive home case record is requested via e-mail from Children and Family Services Division Adoption Assistance Section or printed from the adoptive resource case on KIDS;
(2) current Form 04AF001E is completed by the applicant. The top of Form 04AF001E is marked "Reapplication";
(3) current Form 04AF008E, or substitute medical statement, is completed for each family member;
(4) Form 04AF030E, Bridge Resource Family Re-assessment, that reflects changes in the family situation, is completed by the adoption specialist. Included in the update are:(A) changes in the family situation since the last home assessment;
(B) a home visit;
(C) at least one joint interview;
(D) information on any child added to the family; and
(E) family experiences;
(5) current Form 04AF010E, is completed;
(6) at minimum, three references are contacted. The appropriate references are selected from those identified in OAC 340:75-15-87 Instructions to Staff;
(7) updated Forms 04AD003E, Request for Records Check, and 04AF030E, Bridge Resource Family Re-assessment, are completed;
(8) if the family has moved or it has been over one year since finalization, a new Form 04AF004E is completed; and
(9) if the reapplication is from an employee who has a work relationship with the adoption specialist in the county, the area supervisor makes arrangements for the adoptive family assessment to be completed by an adoption specialist from outside the county or one who does not have a work relationship with the applicant.
4. Notice of closure. When possible, the adoption specialist makes face-to-face contact with the adoptive family to clarify the reason for closure of the home.
(1) A letter is sent to the family, with the reason for closure stated in clear, concise language. Relevant OKDHS rules or procedures are cited and attached.
(2) The adoption specialist may consult with Children and Family Services Division Adoption Services Section staff to determine whether to close a resource home.
5. Child abuse and neglect information. If a state that maintains a child abuse and neglect registry does not respond appropriately to an information request, the adoption supervisor notifies the CFSD adoption programs manager who contacts the Administration for Children and Families regional office for assistance. If information cannot be obtained from the other state(s), the CW staff documents the name of the state(s) and efforts made to obtain the information in the resource record. The prospective Bridge resource family is not approved without the results of the state-maintained child abuse and neglect registry checks.