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CHILDREN SERVICES Current News about Adoptive Homes:
Washington County Children Services works with both prospective adoptive families and children waiting for adoptive homes. Washington County Children Services has been instrumental in the placement and finalization of 9 adoptive homes in 2004. However, there are approximately 3,500 children in the state of Ohio whose biological parent's rights have been terminated. More information regarding these children can be seen at the AdoptOhio Web Site at www.state.oh.us/odjfs/oapl. Please be aware that many of Ohio's waiting children are school aged children, children with special needs, or sibling groups. Washington County Children Services actively considers Washington County adoptive families when we are seeking an adoptive home for a local child, we serve as a link to other adoptive agencies, and actively promote our adoptive families when a child is identified as a potential "match" to the family. Washington County Children Services will not deny any person the opportunity to become a foster or adoptive parent on the basis of race, color, geographic location of home or national origin of that person, or of the child involved; nor delay the placement of the child for adoption on the basis of race, color, national origin or geographic location of the adoptive parent(s) or of the child involved. The following information describes the adoption process: : Adoption inquiry - the prospective applicant calls or stops in at WCCS offices to discuss the process. An agency worker has 7 days to respond to this call by sending a response letter including the agency adoption policy, general adoption information, and subsidy information. The prospective adoptive applicants will be invited to Pre-Service Classes up to two times. Classes are held in the Spring and Fall of each year. All prospective adoptive applicants must attend the 33 hour Pre-Service training regarding the following topics: Orientation and Overview of Foster Care / Adoption / Kinship Care; Team Building; Impact of Abuse and Neglect on Child Development; Attachment and Separation; Discipline; Working with Primary Families; Cultural Issues in Placement; Sexual Abuse; Effects of Caregiving on the Family; Permanency Issues for Children; Permanency Issues for Families. Prospective applicants are requested to meet with a current adoptive parent to discuss questions and the adoption process from the perspective of a parent who has completed the entire process. Prospective applicants review Washington County Children Services Board adoptive policy. The prospective adoptive parents submit an application to the agency once they have completed pre-service classes. The following is a listing of home assessment requirements and supporting documentation for adoptive home assessments:
The prospective adoptive parents meet with an adoption assessor several times in order to compile home assessment information and address questions. All members of the household are interviewed. After the home assessment is completed, the adoption assessor, Adoption Unit Supervisor and the Director sign the approval or denial for the adoptive home assessment. An approved adoptive family is then considered to be "waiting". The family may be looking into prospective placements and/or interviewing with various adoptive agencies regarding possible adoptive placements. Prior to an adoptive placement the following activities occur: The prospective family meets with the placement panel that may include any or all of the following personnel: adoption worker, adoption unit supervisor, ongoing caseworker, ongoing case manager, ongoing unit supervisor, and executive director. The family, their background, and home assessment are discussed as well as the adoptive child (traits, background, and history of abuse/neglect). The family will review a copy of the Child Study Inventory regarding the child which includes a history of the child's birth family and social/medical information, substitute care placement history, the child's developmental history and complete medical file, a chronological listing of significant events in the child's life, school information, psychological or psychiatric information, a listing of the child's identified and anticipated special needs, and the child's legal file. Once a family is chosen, the family meets the child and a visitation schedule is developed. The adoptive placement is made: At the time of the adoptive placement, the adoptive family meets with the Adoption Caseworker, Adoption Unit Supervisor, Director, and data entry Operator. The child's Guardian ad Litem is also invited to attend this meeting. Again the adoptive family's attributes are addressed. The adoptive child is discussed at length with any concerns, the past history of abuse/neglect, any behavioral difficulties, and the identified and anticipated special needs are specifically addressed to ensure full disclosure to the adoptive parents and their ability to effectively meet the child's needs. The Board must consent to the adoption prior to the adoptive family petitioning the court to grant the adoption. The agency must continue contact with the family and the child after the adoptive placement is made. A phone call must be made to the family within 4 days of the adoptive placement, a home visit must be made within 7 days; a home visit must be made within the 1st 4 weeks and visits must be made monthly until the adoption finalizes. The child must reside with the adoptive family for at least six months prior to the petition to adopt the child is filed in the probate court. The adoptive family, with their attorney, petitions the Probate Court to finalize the adoption. The Probate Court then assigns the agency to complete a Prefinalization Adoption Assessment Report. Based on the favorable results of this report and the Judge's determination, the adoption will finalize or the Judge may sign an Interlocutory Order of Adoption and set the adoption hearing for a later date. At any time between the adoptive placement and the finalization of the adoption, the agency may remove the child, if the best interests of the child warrants such action, or the prospective adoptive parents may request that the child be removed from the home. Once the adoption is final, the agency typically closes the case for case planning purposes. Post Adoption Services can be accessed at any time by contacting the agency. If you are considering adopting a child, PLEASE contact Tracy Reichardt or Stephani Hamm at 740-373-3485. We can answer questions and get you headed in the right direction! Teri Wright Kinship Homes | Adoptive Homes Washington County Children Services ©2006 Washington County |