(a) Bridge Resource family assessment.  The Bridge family assessment is conducted as outlined in Form 04AF002E, Guidelines for Resource Family Assessment Bridge Family Profile.  The completed assessment includes impressions of the family, their strengths and risks in adopting, and the special needs, age range, and gender of the child(ren) they wish to adopt.

• (1) A copy of the Bridge resource family assessment, excluding the verification and reference sections, is reviewed with the family prior to completion of the final written assessment summary.  The reference and verification sections are confidential and are not provided to the family.
• (2) The family is given an opportunity to correct errors prior to completion of the final written assessment.
• (3) Once the assessment is finalized, it is signed by the resource family applicant and contractor and submitted to the area adoption supervisor for approval.  A copy of the final supervisor approved Bridge resource family assessment, excluding the verification and reference sections, is provided to the applicant by the adoption specialist.  • 1

(b) Approval.  The Bridge resource family assessment is approved by the area adoption supervisor if the applicant meets requirements as outlined in Form 04AF002E and Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) policy.  • 1

(c) Resource family relocation.  When a family moves to another county within Oklahoma the assigned adoption specialist transfers the resource family record.  An evaluation is done to reflect the resource family's new home and situation. • 2

(d) Denial.  Reasons for denial may include, but are not limited to:

• (1) a lack of a stable, adequate income to meet the applicant's own or total family needs or poor management of available income;
• (2) a physical facility that is inadequate to accommodate the addition of children to the home or that presents health or safety concerns;
• (3) the applicant or any person residing in the home has a history of alleged or confirmed child abuse, neglect, or both;  • 3
• (4) the applicant or any person residing in the home has a history of arrests or convictions.
  • (A) A felony conviction for any of the offenses listed in (i) through (iii) results in an automatic denial of the application.
    • (i) A crime involving violence including, but not limited to, rape, sexual assault, or homicide, but excluding physical assault or battery.
    • (ii) Child abuse or neglect.
    • (iii) A crime against a child, including, but not limited to, child pornography.
  • (B) A felony conviction of a prospective adoptive parent or anyone residing in the home for physical assault, domestic abuse, battery, or a drug related offense within a five year period preceding the date of the application results in denial of the application.  Any applicant who has, or is living with a person who has, any criminal history for any felony or a relevant misdemeanor will be reviewed by a committee.  • 3
  • (C) The application is denied if the applicant has been convicted of a sex offense and subject to or married to or living with a person subject to the Oklahoma Sex Offender Registration Act;
• (5) the age, health, or any other condition of the applicant would impede his or her ability to provide care for a child on a permanent basis into adult years;
• (6) relationships in the household are unstable and unsatisfactory;
• (7) the mental health of the applicant or other family or household member would impede the applicant's ability to provide care for a child;
• (8) references are guarded or have reservations in recommending the applicant;
• (9) the applicant does not complete the required pre-service training within one year of application, unless the applicant has previously completed Parent(s)' Resource for Information, Development and Education (PRIDE).  Exceptions must be requested from the Adoption Services Section;
• (10) the applicant has applied to adopt a child of a certain age, race, or other characteristic that OKDHS reasonably believes may not be available for adoption in the foreseeable future, per OAC 340:75‑15‑84; and
• (11) one or more other factors concerning the applicant, a family, or household member or conditions in the home as described in the denial letter renders the applicant or home environment inappropriate as an adoptive resource.