/
A Foster Parent’s Guide to Adoption A Foster Parent’s Guide to Adoption

A Foster Parent’s Guide to Adoption - PowerPoint Presentation

liane-varnes
liane-varnes . @liane-varnes
Follow
351 views
Uploaded On 2018-11-28

A Foster Parent’s Guide to Adoption - PPT Presentation

June 6 2015 All Gods Children Inc TFC What does it mean to adopt a child The decision to adopt a child is a big responsibility that takes time and preparation It is a LEGAL change of custody responsibility and familystatus that is FOREVER ID: 734335

child adoption special adoptive adoption child adoptive special parents family child

Share:

Link:

Embed:

Download Presentation from below link

Download Presentation The PPT/PDF document "A Foster Parent’s Guide to Adoption" is the property of its rightful owner. Permission is granted to download and print the materials on this web site for personal, non-commercial use only, and to display it on your personal computer provided you do not modify the materials and that you retain all copyright notices contained in the materials. By downloading content from our website, you accept the terms of this agreement.


Presentation Transcript

Slide1

A Foster Parent’s Guide to Adoption

June 6, 2015

All God’s Children, Inc. TFCSlide2

What does it mean to adopt a child?

The decision to adopt a child is a big responsibility that takes time and preparation

It is a LEGAL change of custody, responsibility and family-status that is FOREVER

Important to consider: ability of your family to provide

long-term

and

consistent

love, nurturance & stability as well as knowing your existing network of support

Most

f

oster parents, if actively fostering long enough, will be in a position in which a child in his/her care becomes “adoptable.”Slide3

The Process…

Steps from Goal Change

 Forever Home

Goal Change

: Court must legally change a child’s permanency goal from

R

eturn to Parent to ADOPTION (Adoption and Safe Families Act, 1997)

Waive

R

easonable Efforts

:

court rules that Cabinet has made every reasonable effort to reunite child with biological parents

Termination of Parental Rights

(TPR): Court rules that a biological parent no longer has any legal rights or responsibilities for child(

ren

).

P

arents can voluntarily sign over parental rights

Adoption:

The

legal custodian

is then

changed from Cabinet to adoptive parents, child’s name is legally changed to that of the adoptive parentsSlide4

The Adoption Process

continued…

After TPR but before Adoption the existing “case” for a child is closed, documents are compiled in a

Presentation Summary

and a new

Adoption case

is open in foster parent’s home county.

A Recruitment and Certification (R&C) worker is assigned to the case and works on behalf of the adoptive family

The R&C worker assists adoptive parents with paperwork and assistance negotiations for subsidy

The R&C worker handles the official adoptionSlide5

Adoption Assistance Agreement (DPP-1258)

Specifies the amount of adoption assistance (i.e. monthly subsidy and extraordinary medical expenses if applicable)

Signed by adoptive parent(s) and a representative of the Cabinet

Must be approved completed and approved before adoption is finalized

Renewed every 2 years

Adoption assistance can be renegotiated at any time if there is a change in the child’s “special needs.”Slide6

Adopting a child who is considered to be a “special needs” child

Special Needs Criteria:

If you are adopting 2 or more in a sibling group adoption subsidy can be based on this alone.

If an infant was exposed to drugs.

Including any recent diagnosis that have been made in therapy, DSM IV documentation as well as a current presentation summary is recommended when considering whether the child is “special need”.Slide7

Funding Source Determination

Under Title IV-E adoption assistance,

federal funds

may apply to a child IF:

The child meets requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) AT the time the adoption petition is filed.

AND the child is determined, by the State, to be a child with special needs prior to the finalization of the adoption.

STATE FUNDS

:

Monthly subsidy and extraordinary expenses related to a child’s special needs are ONLY available by special needs children placed by the cabinet.Slide8

Types of Adoption Assistance

Monthly subsidy

- a set monthly payment to assist the adoptive family in meeting the “special needs” of the child. Unlike foster parents, adoptive parents are expected to assume the routine financial costs of parenting.

Extraordinary Medical Expenses

- only available for children who were placed in adoption by the Cabinet. These expenses are only related to the child’s “special needs” that existed PRIOR to adoption, not reimbursable by private insurance, medical card or any other resources. A co-pay made be required based on the family’s income.

Non-recurring Expenses

- A one-time reimbursement to offset the expenses of adopting a “special needs” child. Slide9

Fostering and Adoption Licensing Requirements

Individual must be at least 21 years of age.

The interested individual can be single or married.

Must have a stable income, separate from any financial support offered to foster or adoptive parents for the child’s needs, that is sufficient to meet the needs of the whole family; Do not rely on the child’s reimbursement or financial assistance when determining if you have a sufficient income.

Family must have as safe, secure and healthy home that meets safety and space requirements.Slide10

Foster and Adoption Licensing Requirements Continued…

Adopting parents must have good physical and mental health.

All adults must complete, at least, 30 hours of pre-service preparation training and all paperwork to help them make an informed decision about whether fostering or adopting is the appropriate decision. Training varies with the agency and can take 6-9 months to complete.

Something to consider: Once all requirements are met the amount of time it takes for a family to receive a child depends on how flexible that family is about the type of child they wish to parent. (Age, gender, cultural background, special needs, etc.)Slide11

Legal Process

Adoptive parents are responsible for costs associated with attorney fees, court costs;

Adoptive Attorney files petition in adoptive family’s county of residence (see attached handout)

An “Adoption Hearing” date will be set for foster familySlide12

Know Your Resources

Use your Agency

Join a Support Group

Adoption Support of

Kentucky (http://

www.uky.edu

/TRC/ASK) -- (http://

www.kentuckyadoptioncoalition.org

/members/adoption-support-for-

kentucky.html

)

Know local providers and don’t be afraid to utilize them

Post-Adoption Stabilization Services