The final adoptive placement occurs when all parties—the child, the adoptive parents and the workers—are ready. The adoptive parents are displaying "claiming behaviors" and the child is demonstrating positive behaviors, such as leaving possessions at the adoptive home and beginning to focus on the future. Kentucky Adoption Program Exchange (KAPE) specialists are available upon request for consultation regarding actual placement decisions.
For children moving to new adoptive families, the signing of the adoptive placement agreement and the physical move of self and belongings is the culmination of the pre-placement process. Once the placement agreement is signed, the R&C worker is responsible for providing regular support and counseling services to the child and adoptive family during the period prior to the legal adoption. Private child placing (PCP) agencies that are licensed to provide adoption services may do so by contract.
42 U.S.C. 675 requires that periodic reviews for children continue until the adoption judgment has been granted by circuit court. Adoptive parents of children whose birth parents’ parental rights have been terminated must participate fully with the Cabinet in the development of the case plan by identifying their perception of the child’s individualized needs as well as barriers to finalization of the adoption. Adoptive parents are notified of all conferences and notification includes information on the purpose, time, location and attendees. Adoptive parents have the right to legal counsel at these proceedings.