13.7 Foster Parent's and Other Caregivers Role in Preparing Child for Adoption When Foster Parent Adoption Isn't Planned

Introduction

​​​The support of the non-adopting foster parents is required for the successful adoptive placement of a child. This includes supporting the child through the termination of parental rights (TPR) process as well as the adoptive placement process.

Practice Guidance

Procedure

​​The SSW and recruitment and certification (R&C) worker; 
  1. Communicates with and includes the foster parents in the planning and implementation of the adoptive placement process;
  2. Helps the foster parents deal with issues relating to the loss of a child by: 
    1. Sharing general information about the adoptive family with the foster parents; 
    2. Asking the foster parents for their cooperation and support of the placement throughout the entire process; 
    3. Informing the foster parents of the pre-placement conference and the value of their attendance; 
    4. Preparing the foster parents for possible deteriorating behavior in the child before the adoptive placement; 
    5. Assists with obtaining therapeutic services for both the child and the foster parents to address grief and loss issues; 
    6. Asking the foster parent to complete the DSS-892 ​and DSS-893 Daily Routine Form
    7. Encouraging the foster parent to give the child permission to move on; and 
    8. Maintaining contact and providing an appropriate venue for the foster parent​​ to express their feelings of sadness due to the child’s move.​

Revisions

​7/26/2023

  1. Assists with obtaining offering  therapeutic services resource linkages for both the child and the foster parents to address grief and loss issues;