• maintain a CARE Book containing photographs and descriptions of children who are available for adoption
• select children for photo listing in the CARE Book based on the criteria specified below
• distribute copies of the CARE Book to each regional office.

An OFAS worker shall

• inform the requester how and where to arrange to review the CARE Book
• provide a Fact Sheet to each individual or couple prior to their review of the CARE Book.

• is legally free for adoption
• is under the care of the Department, an in-state licensed child placing agency or an approved out-of-state child placing agency
• has been registered in LINK via the submission of the DCF-336, "Child’s Registration"
• has not been deferred (see reasons below).

Cross-Reference: For more details, see  48-10-2, "Registration and Photo Listing"

1. The child is in an adoptive placement, but is not legally adopted.
2. The child’s foster parents are considering adoption.
3. Diagnostic study or testing is required to clarify the child’s problem and provide an adequate description.
4. The child is currently in a hospital and continuing need for daily professional care will not permit placement in a family setting.
5. The child is fourteen (14) years of age or older and will not consent to an adoption plan.
6. Long term foster care is the plan.

Note: Approval of a request to defer photo listing for reasons #2 and #3 above shall be valid for a period not to exceed ninety (90) days. The OFAS monitors children deferred so that the deferral does not exceed the ninety (90) days, or one (1) year, if the child is in placement.

Cross-Reference: For more details, see  48-10-2, "Registration and Photo Listing"

The Office of Foster and Adoption Services shall

• verify that these are no appropriate prospective adoptive families registered in LINK for a specific child
• review the Report of Non-Use of Adoptive Home (DCF-431) returned from the child's worker to determine why previously referred families were not considered appropriate
• consult with the child's worker to determine if the child has been prepared, or is in the process of being prepared, for placement.

• prepare the child and his/her caretakers for photo listing
• take photographs of the child and process the film
• prepare a description of the child based upon information received from the child, his/her caretakers, and any others (e.g., therapist, teachers) who can provide information about the child.

The Office of Public Affairs and Information shall

• edit the description of the child
• prepare the layout for the printer.

Such distribution allows for Department staff and private agency staff to make contacts on their own or call for specific home studies, if so desired.

Agencies and families may call the OFAS either for additional information on a child who was photo listed or to be referred to the child’s worker for an exchange of materials.

When an inquiry is received, the child’s worker shall

• reply to all calls or letters within one (1) week
• conduct a preliminary screening to determine appropriateness; i.e., that the family is working with a licensed or approved agency.
• inform the person inquiring if a specific child has been placed or is on hold
• discuss a specific child, answering any questions concerning that child which do not compromise confidentiality.

• many families have inquired and no further inquiries can be taken at that time, or
• a child has met a family and started visitation in anticipation of a placement.

When a hold is placed, the child’s worker shall

• notify OFAS immediately
• inform OFAS of the expected length of time a hold will be needed and the reason(s) for the hold.

• notify OFAS within one (1) working day
• return those home studies received along with the DCF-335, "Withdrawal/Placement Notification" to OFAS.

If so, the child’s worker shall provide the following information to the selected exchange:

• a completed registration
• a 3" x 5" black and white glossy photograph
• a copy of the CARE Book listing
• any other written information requested by the particular exchange.

Other exchanges will do their own screening and forwarding of inquiries to the child's worker. These inquiries will be handled by the child's worker in the same way as for CARE Book inquiries.

When the child is on hold or being placed, the child’s worker shall notify the other exchanges to update their listings.

• a 3" x 5", black and white photograph of good quality
• a written report that includes the following information:
  • child's name and birth date
  • reason(s) why child is in care
  • brief history of the child's placements, including the reason(s) the child has left each placement
  • school information
  • brief social history
  • plan for the child and rationale for plan, including sibling arrangements, type of family being sought, etc.
  • what has been done to prepare the child for adoption and what needs to be done before the child can actually move in with a family
  • description of the child's special needs and how they affect the child's daily life skills; i.e., how this child is different to care for
  • current involvement in counseling and reason(s)
  • description of the child’s unique qualities; e.g., likes and dislikes, special interests, skills.

The Office of Foster and Adoption Services and the Office of Public Affairs and Information will edit the narratives and decide which photographs will be used.

The Office of Foster and Adoption Services will have the photographs printed and distributed.

A copy of the CARE Book listing will be sent to the child’s worker.