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Policy
Manual
ADOPTIONS
Supervision of Children in Adoptive
Placement
48-16-5
Supervision When Foster Home
Becomes Adoptive Home
| Adoption Different Than Foster Care |
Discuss with the foster parents the ways in which adoption is
different from foster care. Among these are:
•their changed role and financial and legal responsibility to the child
•the financial aspect, including medical costs [The importance of placing the
child on the family's medical plan. The availability of subsidies if the child qualifies
(they should understand the limitation of Title XIX coverage)]
•their independence from the Department and the availability of support services
to them in the future, should they have need for it
•legal status, including inheritance rights (changes in their wills, birth
certificate and baptismal certificate changes and Social Security).
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| Prepare for the Change |
Help the parents to help the child. They should tell the
child that they are going to adopt. They should be prepared for some possible negative
behavior, perhaps acting out, regression or even ambivalence. The foster parents can work
with the child and Social Workers on the child's Life Book. Even though they may have
parented the child for a long time, it is still important to do a Life Book with the
child, or work with a therapist on the transition. |
| Discuss the Child's Background |
It is important to discuss the child's background with the
foster parents. Find out from them what their perceptions are. What do the foster parents
know about the child's background? Go over with them what they know, correct
misinformation, and provide them with any necessary additional information that they do
not have. Give them a chance to react to it and to talk to you about it. Provide them with
copies of Genetic Parent(s) Information (DCF-337) and Medical Information on Genetic
Parent(s) (DCF-338). Review medical records and educational issues. |
| Consider Other Children |
When there are other children in the home, their feelings
should be recognized and addressed. If there are other foster children, they will need to
be helped to understand their status and their reactions will need to be addressed. Where
applicable, there should be contact with other Social Workers who have children in the
home to enable them to deal with the presenting issues raised by the adoption. |
| Explain Court Procedure |
Explain to the foster parents the court procedures, including
the fact that children twelve (12) and over have to sign legal papers. Let them know the
approximate amount of the court fee. (If the adoption is to be subsidized, there is no
fee.) If possible, the whole family should attend the hearing. It should be viewed as an
important occasion. Remind the family to bring a camera to record the event. |
Connecticut Department of Children and Families Issued:
March 1, 1994
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