Return to CT.Gov Home
Department of Children and Families
DCF Logo

Policy Manual
ADOPTIONS
Assessment Of Child

48-12-2
Assessment Procedure

When to Begin Assessment Within ten (10) working days after the case has been transferred according to the transfer plan, the adoption specialist shall begin a thorough assessment of the child, unless the record indicates this has already been undertaken.

Note: The adoption specialist will build on the assessment process that has already been underway.
What to Include The formal written assessment shall be prepared and shall include information describing any special needs the child has that would influence the selection of an adoptive home. The assessment shall include review, at a minimum, of the child's:

•developmental history -- growth, development, emotional attachment to birth/foster parent or other caretaker

•social history -- why the child came into care, information about birth parents (e.g., life style, strengths, problems, physical appearance, education, etc.)

•racial, ethnic/cultural and/or language background

•placement history, significant emotional attachments, losses

•relatives, including siblings, and information about the appropriateness of continual contact, quality of relationship, and willingness to provide a permanent home

•medical history -- ongoing medical problems and treatment needs

•educational history -- educational placements, progress, testing, and adjustment in a school setting

•current development/behavioral status of the child, including emotional, cognitive functioning, and results of recent psychiatric or psychological evaluations

•relationship with present caretaker, peers, and significant others

•understanding and resolution of the child's own personal history including the fact and circumstance of entry into care and separation from birth family

•understanding, readiness and acceptance of the adoption plan and the child's ability to develop/maintain attachments

•strengths and problems

•projections about future development and behavior, and

•pre-placement preparation and support needed for successful transition to an adoptive home.
Who to Involve The adoption specialist shall interact with the child in a variety of settings to make the assessment and involve foster parents, caretakers, siblings and any other person(s) with whom the child has a significant relationship.

The assessment should include school personnel, therapists, residential staff and any other person who might have intimate knowledge of the child's day-to-day functioning.
Focus The assessment's focus should be on the child's present interaction within his/her environment. The focus of present needs, taking into account the child's history, shall be a predictor of what the child may need from a family and support services.
Other Assessments In addition to the personal assessment by the adoption specialist, all other assessments already completed should be taken into account.
Consider an Evaluation If no other assessments have been made, the adoption specialist may consider, when appropriate, a formal psychiatric or psychological evaluation, the focus of which should be the present functioning of the child, the kind of family the child will need (i.e., single parent, two parents, other children, older-younger), and what kind of adjustments the child and family are likely to have to make.
When to Complete This assessment shall be completed within sixty (60) days from the time the assessment by the adoption specialist began. The Child Assessment form (DCF-2039) shall be completed at the end of the sixty (60) day assessment period.

This form will also be used for the referral packet given to the Permanency Planning Team.
Review Meeting If a formal assessment has already been completed, persons who participated in the assessment should be invited to a meeting at which their reports will be reviewed by the adoption specialist.

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