Section 309.110  Preparation and Training of Adoptive Families

The preparation and training of prospective adoptive families will be done in the following four phases:

a)         Pre-service Preparation and Education

            During this first phase the Department or adoption agency will educate prospective adoptive parents in the following areas:

1)         the purpose and goals of adoption;

2)         the selection process and the criteria for being licensed and certified as adoptive parents;

3)         the laws, regulations, policies, resources and values that direct the adoption program;

4)         information about the needs and strengths of children who require adoption services;

5)         the respective roles of adoptive parents, agencies, and courts;

6)         differences between parenting in foster home placement, legal risk placement, and adoptive placement regarding attachment, commitment, relationship with the child's family of origin, expectations, responsibilities, supports and the lifelong impact of adoption;

7)         the knowledge and practical skills necessary to become successful adoptive parents; and

8)         the knowledge of developmental challenges and changes faced by adoptive families.

b)         The Assessment Phase

            During the assessment phase the Department or adoption agency will:

1)         help applicants  make an accurate and informed assessment of the strengths they bring to adoption, including the kinds of children they could most successfully parent;

2)         help applicants make an accurate assessment of their needs, including the kinds of support they would need from the Department or the adoption agency;

3)         make an accurate assessment of the strengths and needs of the prospective adoptive family;

4)         match the prospective family's assessment with the Department's or agency's assessment;

5)         develop a written strength and needs assessment or family profile to be used to guide placement of specific children; and

6)         explore with applicants their willingness to help the child maintain contact with significant relationships in the child's past.

c)         The Certification Process

            The certification process includes completion of the required certification training and an assessment, which includes a written home study which incorporates information from the assessment phase and includes a recommendation regarding the types of children the family is able to parent which have been approved by the Department or adoption agency supervisor.

d)         Post-Certification Phase

            During this phase the Department or adoption agency will:

1)         provide continued support to the family, including information regarding children available for adoption;

2)         make specialized training available; and

3)         introduce adoptive families to adoptive parent support groups, and/or master adoptive parents in those areas where they exist.