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Policy
Manual
ADOPTIONS
Selection of Adoptive Family
48-14-7
Multiethnic Adoptive Placements
| Philosophical Background |
A permanent home must meet a child's short-term needs for
physical care and safety as well as satisfying his/her long term needs for a secure
identity and sense of belonging to a community. Placement decisions should be determined
by a child's specific needs and best interests. |
| Policy |
When placing a child for adoption, the Department shall not
discriminate on the basis of the race, color or national origin of the adoptive parent or
the child. Cross Reference: For relevant policy which
applies to both foster care and adoptive placements, see DCF policy 41-19-2, "Principles of Foster Care
Matching".
Legal Reference: P.L. 103-382, §551-554, "The
Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994" (MEPA), 42 U.S.C. §5115a and 42 U.S.C. §622(b)
(9), as amended by P.L.. 104-188, §1808, "The Small Business Job Protection
Act", August 20, 1996. |
| Placement
Principles |
Placement in a permanent home shall be made in accordance
with the child’s best interests, and shall give full consideration to the following
principles:
- The child's established relationships shall be protected (e.g., relatives, psychological
parents).
- The child shall be placed:
- in the same pre-adoptive home as siblings
- with pre-adoptive parents who have been assessed as able to meet the child's needs,
and/or who have received training to prepare them to work with the child's special needs.
If a decision is made to not follow these principles, the reasons for that
decision shall be recorded in the child's uniform case record.
If the reason is the unavailability of a home that would be in accordance with these
principles, the uniform case record shall be documented to specify efforts that were made
to locate a home for the child that would permit placement of the child according to the
aforementioned principles, and the outcome of each effort made. |
| Development of Recruitment Plan |
If adoptive family resources are not identified for a child
within thirty (30) days of the Termination of Parental Rights (TPR), a recruitment plan
shall be developed for the legally free child. |
| Regional FASU’s Responsibility |
Each regional FASU shall
- contact the Office of Foster and Adoption Services to determine the demographics of the
children available for placement
- recruit for adoptive families based on the children registered in LINK
- hold or arrange for at least two assessment groups a year specifically for prospective
adoptive minority families.
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| Data Collection |
The Office of Foster and Adoption Services shall collect data
on adoptive placements. |
| Support |
Support groups shall be offered in each region for children
and adoptive parents who are involved in multiethnic placements. The regional FASU
worker shall refer appropriate children and families to such groups. |
Connecticut Department of Children and Families Effective Date: August 1, 1997
(Revised)
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