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340:75-15-84. Application process

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Revised 5-15-09

(a) Application to adopt. The applicant is referred to the adoption specialist for the county in which the applicant lives. The adoption specialist responds promptly to prospective applicants. The applicant is invited to attend a group orientation meeting or an individual intake interview is scheduled upon request of the applicant. If the applicant chooses to apply, the adoption specialist provides an application packet. • 1 & 2 The adoption specialist discusses with the applicant information about the adoption program described in (1) through (10).

(1) The program is child focused. A family is selected who will best meet the child's long-term best interests and individual needs. Families inquiring 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 are advised their application will not be processed.
(2) The completed resource family assessment summary is the basis for selection.
(3) Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) contracts with licensed child-placing agencies to complete resource family assessments.
(4) An application, including one by a foster parent or relative, does not guarantee placement of a child in the applicant's home.
(5) There is no fee for services provided by OKDHS to applicants who apply to adopt a child in the legal custody of OKDHS.
(6) A family is referred to licensed child-placing agencies if the family is interested in adopting a specific type of child that is not available through OKDHS.
(7) A criminal background and Child Abuse and Neglect Information System check is required and includes, but is not limited to:
- (A) fingerprinting and a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) check of each applicant and adult residing in the household;
- (B) an Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) check that includes Department of Public Safety check and Sex Offender Registry check for each adult household member;
- (C) a Child Abuse and Neglect Information System check and OKDHS records check for each adult household member;
- (D) a search of all applicable out-of-state child abuse and neglect registries when an applicant or adult household member has not lived continuously in Oklahoma for the past five years; • 5
- (E) an Oklahoma State Courts Network check at http://www.oscn.net/;
- (F) an Oklahoma District Court Records check (ODCR) at http://www.odcr.com/;
- (G) an offender information and offender lookup through Oklahoma Department of Corrections (DOC) at www.doc.state.ok.us;
- (H) a Juvenile Justice Information System (JOLTS) records check for each child in the family 13 years of age or older;
- (I) a background check request from Family Advocacy for all active or retired military families; and
- (J) a discharge from military duty, DD Form 214, Certificate of Release of Discharge From Active Duty, that is provided by the applicant.
(8) Verification of marriages, divorces, legal separations, or annulments, employment, and income are required.
(9) Applicants are required to complete 27 hours of pre-service training, including six hours of Behavior Crisis Management Training (BCMT), per OAC 340:75‑7‑14.
(10) Applicants are responsible for providing copies to OKDHS of any non-OKDHS assessments or evaluations, including previous adoptive, foster home, relative, divorce custody, or other custody assessments.
(11) OKDHS inquires whether the applicant has applied to be or has been an approved foster or adoptive parent in another state. OKDHS requests from all applicable states, any history of child abuse or neglect or criminal history from the appropriate state agency.

(b) Application to adopt by OKDHS employees. OKDHS employees may apply to adopt from OKDHS, though no preferential treatment is given.

(c) Reapplication to adopt. When previous adoptive parents apply to adopt again, the Bridge resource application information is updated. • 3

(d) Denial or withdrawal of applications. When it becomes apparent that the applicant does not meet the resource family requirements set out in Form 04AF002E, Guidelines for Resource Family Assessment Bridge Family Profile, the resource family assessment process may be discontinued and the application withdrawn or denied.

(1) The reasons for discontinuing the assessment prior to completion, per OAC 340:75-15-88, are explained to the applicant in person when possible and are stated in a letter to the applicant regardless whether personal contact is made. • 4
(2) The applicant may voluntarily withdraw the application. If the applicant declines to withdraw the application, local staff denies the application.
(3) Families desiring to adopt a child of a certain age, race, or other characteristic OKDHS reasonably believes may not be available for adoption in the foreseeable future are referred to licensed child-placing agencies that are more likely to place children matching the request.

(e) Out-of-state adoptive applicants. OKDHS does not process applications from adoptive applicants outside of Oklahoma, but accepts certified resource family studies or assessments from a licensed agency or the public agency in another state.

(1) In cooperation with a licensed adoption agency in another state, an adoptive family may be considered for a child in Oklahoma.
(2) Children and Family Services Division Adoption Services Section coordinates placement and supervision with an agency in the state where the adoptive family resides.
(3) All provisions of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children are followed, per OAC 340:75-15-61 and 340:75-15-82.

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-15-84

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.

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