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Policy Manual
ADOPTIONS
Department Resources

48-11-2
Operation of the Adoption Resource Exchange

Adoption Resource Exchange Responsibilities The Adoption Resource Exchange:

•provides assistance to regional office staff in planning for children whose goal is adoption

•locates adoptive family resources, and

•provides information on adoption practice, policy, procedures and statutes.
Functions of the Adoption Resource Exchange The following functions are presently assigned to the Adoption Resource Exchange:

    •registry of all children legally freed for adoption in Connecticut per CONN. GEN. STAT. §17a-43.

    •maintenance of a registry of families approved for adoption and referrals to facilitate adoption placements are made by the Exchange

    •operation of the CARE Book, a photo listing book of special needs children who need additional exposure to effect a placement

    •provision of laws, articles, and other adoption related materials

    •provision of technical assistance to the regional offices on an as needed basis including workshops dealing with issues concerning preparing, placing and finalizing children in adoption

    •processing of correspondence from agencies and individuals interested in Connecticut's adoption laws and the Department's adoption program

    •specialized recruitment efforts including: "Thursdays Child", adoption parties, listing on the national exchange, and listing on other states' exchanges

    •"One Church/One Child" Program

    •processing adoption finalizations for the Commissioner's signature

    •maintenance of closed adoption records archive

    •providing information to adult adoptees

    •maintenance of the "Adoption Reunion Registry" and "Medical Information Registry" for adopted children.
Types of Requests and Inquiries to the Adoption Resource Exchange The following requests and inquiries shall be directed to the Adoption Resource Exchange:

•forms requiring the Commissioner's signature for termination hearings and adoption hearings

•requests for adoptive family home studies registered on the Exchange

•requests for closed adoption records

•adult adoptee requests for information

•requests for information on adoption statutes, legislation, policy, and procedures.
Important Note For detailed information on the Adoption Resource Exchange, please refer to chapter 41 of this manual.

Connecticut Department of Children and Families Issued: March 1, 1994