Adoption Selection: Caseworker, Local or Central Committee Developed by Portland State University Center for Improvement of Child and Family Services Child Welfare Partnership

Learning Objectives Become familiar with the process of adoption selection. Be familiar with the policies pertinent to adoption selection. Identify the roles of adoption committee members.

Introduction & Overview Virtual Meet & Greet Activity

Text Answers to Questions What motivates me to participate in selection processes? Share successes you have experienced or hope to experience via the selection process.

“We can’t solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.” Albert Einstein

New Directions for DHS Adoptions I-E.1.1 Search for and Engagement of Relatives I-G.1.1 Foster Parent Request for Consideration as a Current Caretaker I-G.1.2 Identification and Consideration of Potential Adoption Resources I-G.1.5 Adoption Placement Selection I-G.1.10 Adoption Placement, Supervision & Support

Prioritizing Resources for Adoption Relative (a-c) Relative (d) or Current Caretaker along with relative (d) through Perm Committee process, or both Current Caretaker with general applicants or alone, through Perm Committee process General applicant (can be non-CC & non- relative FP) when a determination has been made under OAR (2)(b)(B) General applicants not included above *I-G.1.2 OAR

Selection Options Caseworker, Supervisor and Child’s Team Local Committee Central Committee

Selection by Caseworker Criteria Met By ONE of the Following – Child is an Indian child; selection complies with Policy I-E.2.1, “Placement of Indian Children“” – The child is refugee child ; selection complies with Policy I-E.2.2, “Placement of Refugee Children“” – A relative being considered alone Diligent search is completed; no outstanding assessments for any relative – Current caretaker is being considered alone – General applicants; child is under six years of age; no extraordinary needs – CF 255 Caseworker Adoption Decision Report or – CF 251 Section 10

Relative Foster Parents/Adoption No Permanency Committee and No Time Frame Child summary not required for home study Do: Informal staffing /caseworker, certifier, adoption worker /discuss child’s needs & family issues needing assessment No form for staffing, document in case notes Adoption worker addresses issues in adoption update to home study

Foster Parent Consideration Review diligent search for relatives If qualifies, present at Permanency Committee Caseworker fills out CF 251 prior CWPM or designee makes decisions:  Will the foster home be considered  Will the foster home be considered alone or with others Upon completion of study follow adoption process protocol

What is a Current Caretaker? Non-relative Foster Parent: Currently caring for a child in DHS custody and has a permanency plan or concurrent permanent plan of adoption; Has cared for the child or at least one sibling in a sibling group under consideration for at least the past 12* consecutive months; & Identified by DHS as a potential adoptive resource for the child * No time line exception.

Steps in Caseworker Selection Determine eligible for Caseworker Selection Consult with Adoption Workers, share and gain information Ensure child and family materials in to Central Office Gather input from child’s team Consult with supervisor who reviews for diligent search Determine families to consider Inform adoption worker who consults with families Set selection date & notify child’s team; 10 days advance notice Consider input from team, note selection date in OrKids

Process of Caseworker Selection Make selection Notify adoption workers by end of day Send notice to child’s team members on 272 by end of next business day Send notice, by end of next business day, to adoptive family not studied by DHS on 260 DHS Adoption worker sends notice to their families on 260 by end of next business day Document decisions: 255 or 251 if CC alone Notify Central Office of selection within 3 days

Level of Attendance at Committee of Non Committee Members Adoption Worker - full Child’s Worker - full Parties (tribe, CASA, child’s attorney) - full Child – excused after presentation Foster parent (not being considered a resource) - excused after presentation Others (MD, therapist, etc) – excused after presentation

Recommendation by Local Committee (at least one criteria applies) One child 6 or over Resources include current foster parent and general applicants Caseworker wants input due to dynamics or complexities of the case (with Supervisor approval) CF 259 Adoption Committee Member and Adoption Decisions Specialist Worksheet CF 250 Adoption Recommendation and Selection Report

Required for all Committees CF 273 Adoption Program Confidentiality Statement for Adoption – Adoption Committee

Central Office Adoption Committee Resources include more than one relative or sibling placement resource Resources include current caretaker and relatives Resources include more than one current caretaker for siblings Caseworker/local office want input due to dynamics or complexities of the case (with Supervisor approval)

Central Office Adoption Committee When a resource is given approval for consider in a change of order of preference When a potential resource lives abroad DHS staff and Conflict of Interest applies Non-DHS staff and potential conflict of interest CF 250 & 259

Role of Adoption Committee Participants Adoption Decision Specialist

Role of Adoption Committee Participants Adoption Committee Facilitator

Role of Adoption Committee Participants Adoption Committee Members Observers

Thank You For Your Participation Be sure you are signed up for Part 2  Thursday, April 1 pm Will focus on Values & Practice Completion of Parts 1 & 2 satisfies requirement for training for adoption committee members