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a llianceforchildwelfare.org. Adoptions. What is Adoption?. write your best definition - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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ADOPTIONS
allianceforchildwelfare.org
What is Adoption?write your best definition
• The act of creating the legal relationship between parent and child where it did not exist, thereby declaring the child to be legally the child of the adoptive parents and their heir at law, and entitled to all the rights and privileges and subject to all the obligation of a child born to the adoptive parents
• A means of meeting the developmental needs of a child by legally transferring ongoing parental responsibilities for that child from the birth parents to adoptive parents, recognizing that in the process a new kinship network is created that forever links those two families together through the child that is shared by both.
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Child Welfare Values and Standards• Every child has a right to a safe family environment during the critical years before adulthood• Residing with the legal or biological parent is presumed to be in the child’s best interest – baring safety concerns• The state has an obligation to intervene in certain circumstances• Residing with a suitable relative is presumed to be in the child’s best interest in most cases, when out of home care is needed• The state has an obligation to pursue reunification through engagement, assessment, and support of the legal parents in most circumstances• The state has an obligation to concurrently work to establish a legally binding safe and stable option besides return home• A child has a right to speedy resolution of the concern and integration into a safe, stable family environment
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Federal Legal Context for Adoption
Federal Laws – What do you remember about…?
•ASFA•ICWA•ICPC•MEPA/IEPA
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Safe, Stable, Timely Adoptions
• Stabilize and support the child
• Support birth parents• Long-term placements
from the start• Know and follow state
law and policy• Keep an eye on the
clock
Let’s start at the very beginning….
…A very good place to startUniversity of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration –
Partners for Our Children
Stabilize and Support the ChildIntensive Intervention
Targeted Social & Emotional Supports
High Quality Supportive EnvironmentsNurturing & Responsive Relationships
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
From the Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention for Young Children
Stabilize and Support the ChildNurturing and Responsive Relationships• In Placement and with Birth Family (visitation)• Connections with siblings and extended family• Other important people/institutions
High Quality Supportive Environments• Daycare and School
Other Considerations• Cultural needs or connections
• Remember MEPA/IEPA
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
EnvironmentsRelationships
Stabilize and Support the ChildTargeted Social and Emotional Supports• Assessment and Evaluation of concerns
• Trauma history, behavioral and mental health concerns•Medical/dental/vision issues and screenings•Developmental concerns• Educational progress, needs, and barriers• Social and adaptive skills
• Building Resilience• Age appropriate skills and activities• Social skills support and success•Opportunities for discovery, connection, and success
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Targeted Supports
Stabilize and Support the ChildIntensive Intervention• Evidence based treatment programs• Specialized services and supports• Medical or other Therapies• In-home supports to placements
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Intensive Intervention
Support Birth Parents•Engagement and assessment•Ongoing support towards change•Ongoing documentation of efforts and progress•Ongoing discussion of progress, timelines, and permanence
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Long-Term Placements from the Start• Ask prior to and at the outset of placement about the potential for permanence• Homestudy process• Supports and services to maintain placement• Continue relative search and relative engagement - ICPC•Who is in the child’s life now? Who has the child had a relationship with?• Preparing the family for adoption and the process when TPR is imminent
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Know and Follow State Law and Policy• See handout• Summarize main points/key actions, requirements,
prohibitions
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Keep an Eye on the ClockGoal – adoption within 24 months of initial placement•Timeline issues:•Legally severing relationship with parents•Child in home of choice 6 months•Adoption homestudy•Adoption proceeding
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Selecting an Adoptive Caregiver•What qualifies a family as a good match?•Attitudes, skills, knowledge that match well with child’s short and long term needs•Services and supports to help the family build these skills
•Financial and emotional stability/fitness•Community of support
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Move forward with Adoption When• Best permanent plan for child• Child legally free• Youth 13 or over agrees• Caregiver is qualified, willing, and able to adopt• Policy/legal requirements met• Approved homestudy• Disclosure of child’s needs/ file
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Family of Origin InvolvementPrior to adoption• Participate in relative search process• Provide medical/social history• Cultural history• Determine desired level of contact post-adoption• Activities to help the child cope with loss and manage change
After adoption• Support for grief and loss• Encouragement and hope for future• Responsible participation in the child’s life
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Family of Origin InvolvementCommunication/ Open Adoption Agreements
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Preparing the Family and Child for Adoption
Stages of the Adoption Process• Placement• Honeymoon• Pre-Finalization• Post FinalizationCommon themes to be addressed:• Answering the child’s questions - based on developmental stage• Signs of grief, loss, and trauma - by developmental stage• Creating permanent connections and an identity of belonging • Creating a family identity that celebrates the child’s adoption journey
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
Adoption Support Funds•Offsets some costs related to:•Adoption process•Child’s special needs•Eligibility and amount determined prior to adoption•Family must apply•May be amended post adoption
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children
The Legal Adoption ProcessChild in placement > six monthsChild legally free and consents to adoptionAdoption homestudy complete and approvedAdoption support settledAdoptive parents obtain lawyer to submit Petition for AdoptionOther documents submitted to courtAdoption hearing scheduledAdoption hearing takes placeCourt hears from all interested partiesDecree of Adoption issued – Parent/Child relationship legalAdoptive parents submit Decree to DOH (new birth certificate) and SSA (new ss number)
University of Washington - Eastern Washington University – Eastern Washington University – DSHS Children’s Administration – Partners for Our Children