28.1 Adoptive Family Selection Process
This section pertains to the policy and procedures necessary when an out-of-home placement of a child is imminent or has occurred.
The adoptive family selection process begins with the Children’s Service Worker conducting a search for approved adoptive families. Search activities include contact with local agency or community resources and ACTS vendor subsystem through ZVRS transaction. The worker should use the e-mail system to obtain family assessments for seven (7) to eight (8) approved adoptive families from other counties and regions in the state. Keep in mind, the E-mail may be forwarded on to adoptive families by workers within the Division. The e-mail message should include the following:
- Purpose Statement (to be used at the beginning): “The purpose of the information provided below is to briefly introduce you to the child (ren) for whom our agency is recruiting an adoptive placement.”
- At the top of the profile:
- List separately, Child’s first name, date of birth (mo/yr), race and gender. Can add grade in school if necessary
- Within the narrative, be creative, energetic, use descriptive words (see list of descriptive adjectives located in Section 6, Chapter 1, Attachment E of this manual.)
- Use an attention-getting phrase to begin the narrative and draw readers in.
- Include likes, hobbies, interests, what they want (family, life, goals, pets, church)
- Describe the child’s personality.
- School – information about the child’s educational accomplishments or needs.
- Special issues – contact with siblings, family or past placement providers
- Positive quotes from the child caregiver (don’t refer to the “residential” caregiver)
- Quotes from the child describing themselves (i.e. Favorite thing about themselves, etc.)
- Serious medical diagnosis and treatment involved.
- A description of the child’s need for a family with particular skills or family configuration (don’t limit to a two-parent family if that is not necessary).
- Legal Status
- Add the date updated/completed at the bottom of profile.
- The profile needs to be at least three paragraphs, and 120-150 words. NO more than 1 – 1 ½ pages in length.
- If you have a photo, state it is available upon request.
- Ending Statement (to be used at the end): “For more detailed information about (child’s name) contact (worker name and phone).”
- Identifying information within the narrative(i.e., child’s last name, school’s name, city where child resides, parent’s names, date and reason the child is in care, and history of abuse/neglect (any significant information may be included in the confidential narrative section).
- Details about failed past placements (any significant information may be included in the confidential narrative section).
- Anything that might be embarrassing to the child. Ask yourself, “Would I feel comfortable showing this to the child, and would it make them uncomfortable?”
- Date of births, age or grades in school as a part of the narrative.
Do Include:
Do Not Include: