Legal Authority/Introduction

LEGAL AUTHORITY:

• 922 KAR 1:100 Public agency adoptions.
• 922 KAR 1:140 Foster care and adoption permanency services

It is the responsibility of the adoptive family’s recruitment and certification (R&C) worker or private child placing (PCP) provider to work with the family during disruption.

Procedure

The R&C worker/PCP provider:

1. Explains to the family that:
1. Another family will be selected for the child;
2. A schedule for the pre-placement conference and visits will be developed; and
3. They are expected to help prepare the child for the move in the following ways:
1. Explaining to the child why he is not remaining with them;
2. Sharing information and speaking positively with the child about the new family;
3. Participating in the pre-placement conference; and
4. Cooperating with agency and new adoptive parents during pre-placement visits;
2. Supports the family in the following ways:
1. Being available to the disrupting family;
2. Stressing the need to focus on the original plan when the disrupting family begins to advocate for an early move;
3. Helping them talk about their feelings;
4. Emphasizing family strengths; and
5. Praising them for their cooperation and efforts to keep the child’s best interest in mind.
3. The R&C worker provides follow-up services to the family after disruption.

Practice Guidance

• The R&C worker/PCP provider is available to the family during pre-placement visits, and to meet regularly with the disrupting child in order to talk about their feelings and their functioning.