(a) An adoptive family assessment is completed for each family before a child is placed in the home.  The assessment is documented and available for licensing staff to review, and includes: 

• (1) one individual face-to-face interview with each parent;
• (2) one individual face-to-face interview with each school-age child;
• (3) one individual face-to-face interview with any other adult household member;
• (4) one joint face-to-face interview with both parents;
• (5) one contact by phone, in person, or by letter with each adult child of the adoptive applicants no longer living in the home;
• (6) documentation of a home visit to assess the safety and adequacy of the home environment; and
• (7) three written references for the applicants.

(b) The written report of the adoptive family assessment includes:

• (1) information regarding the adoptive parents' family of origin, significant family experiences, and how the adoptive parents were parented;
• (2) the adoptive parents' marital history and significant adult relationships;
• (3) the adoptive parents' ability to handle stress individually and jointly;
• (4) parenting experiences, parenting style, and philosophy of discipline of adoptive parents;
• (5) the family's adjustment to previous adoptions;
• (6) motivation for adoption;
• (7) attitudes of extended family regarding adoption;
• (8) attitudes toward birth parents;
• (9) attitudes and expectations about openness in adoption and search issues;
• (10) plans for helping children understand adoption;
• (11) expectations for the adopted child;
• (12) family lifestyle, including social, cultural, and religious orientation;
• (13) educational background of adoptive parents;
• (14) a summary of health information on the adoptive parents, including health history, date of medical exam, and name of physician;
• (15) adjustment to and acceptance of infertility, if applicable;
• (16) financial information, including employment, income, financial obligations, and access to health care services;
• (17) verification of employment, income, adequate insurance, and any other resources, such as subsidized adoption and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF);
• (18) plans for child care;
• (19) summary of family strengths and weaknesses;
• (20) preferences of the adoptive applicants regarding the age, gender, health, and other characteristics of the child they wish to adopt; and
• (21) specific recommendations regarding the appropriateness of the family, specific reasons for the recommendation, and characteristics of children the family is approved to adopt.

(c) In addition to the written family assessment, information placed in the adoptive family file includes:

• (1) documentation of medical exams by a health professional, dated not more than 12 months prior to the completion of the adoptive family assessment, and health histories on all household members verifying that the family members are healthy and free of communicable diseases or physical conditions that would impair their ability to care for the adopted child;
• (2) verification of marriage, if applicable, income and expenses, employment, and medical insurance;
• (3) the names and addresses of at least three references who have knowledge of the applicants as a family unit; and
• (4) documentation of a criminal and Child Welfare background check in accordance with the Oklahoma Adoption Code,  [10 O.S. § 7501-1.1 et seq.] and all applicable statutes along with the agency summary of any findings.

(d) The adoptive family assessment is current within 12 months prior to the date of child placement.  Documentation related to the updated family assessment includes:

• (1) medical exams by a health professional, dated not more than 12 months prior to the completion of the updated adoptive family assessment, and health histories on all household members verifying that the family members are healthy and free of communicable diseases or physical conditions that would impair their ability to care for the adopted child;
• (2) criminal and Child Welfare background check;
• (3) at least three written references from persons who have knowledge of the applicants as a family unit;
• (4) financial information including employment, income, and financial obligations; and
• (5) access to health care services.