Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) The effective
date of the adoption placement is the date the child in placed in the physical
custody of the adoptive parent or the date the Memorandum of Agreement, CF-FSP
5072, incorporated by reference in paragraph
65C-16.002(2)(c),
F.A.C., is signed.
(2) The adoption
placement process incorporates the following:
(a) Selection of the family. The counselor
will assess the abilities of the approved adoptive family to parent a specific
child before considering presentation of the child's information;
(b) Presentation of all family and medical
information to the family regarding the child and to the child regarding the
family;
(c) All known information
must be shared with the approved adoptive parent using the "Disclosure
Information to Adoptive Parents" form, CF-FSP 5328, December 2010, incorporated
by reference and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13388,
no later than the point of adoptive placement but can occur at the time of a
family being matched to a child. A Spanish version of the Disclosure
Information to Adoptive Parents form, CF-FSP 5328S, December 2010, is also
incorporated by reference and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13389.
(d) First supervised meeting shall occur with
a family who has an approved home study, or with a family who is known to the
child, is in the process of having a home study completed, and has cleared all
required background checks. The first visit at minimum must be observed by the
assigned adoption case manager.
(e)
A transition plan must be developed by the adoption case manager, current
caregiver, when appropriate, new caregivers, and all providers who have
on-going involvement with the child no later than 14 days prior to transition.
The transition plan must respect the child's developmental stage and
psychological needs.
(f) Get
acquainted period and pre-placement visits can vary depending on the age and
child's history;
(g) Identify and
access needed services prior to the day of placement; and,
(h) Day of placement.
(3) The decision on final placement is based
on the child's readiness and the cues given by the child to the counselor that
he or she is ready to move in with his or her new family.
(4) An out-of-state placement for the purpose
of adoption shall have the prior authorization of the court and of the
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).
(5) The mechanics of final placement include:
(a) An assessment of the child and family's
adjustment during the transition activities, all needed services for the child
and family have been identified and are active at the time of
placement;
(b) The child's case
manager or adoption counselor will be present to facilitate the transition to
the adoptive family at the time of placement; and,
(c) An opportunity for the child to say
good-bye to significant adults and children as identified by the
child.
(6) When it is
necessary for the child to travel to the home of the adoptive parent for
placement, the child shall be accompanied by the person with whom he or she has
the most meaningful relationship. If this person is a member of the foster
family, the community-based-care (CBC) agency will provide financial
reimbursement for any costs incurred.
(7) At-Risk Placement.
(a) Occasionally it may be in the child's
best interest to be placed in a prospective adoptive applicant's home prior to
completion of legal termination of parental rights. Examples of situations
where an at-risk placement may be appropriate include:
1. The child's termination of parental rights
is on appeal and all known relatives have been considered and have been found
unavailable or not appropriate;
2.
The child has been voluntarily surrendered and termination of parental rights
by the court is anticipated;
3. A
petition for termination of parental rights has been filed and it appears
unlikely that the child can be returned to the biological parents; and,
4. The child must be moved from
his or her current foster home placement, and the placement in a pre-adoptive
home will result in one less move for the child.
(b) Pre-adoptive families entering into an
at-risk placement must have an approved adoptive parent home study and
understand that there is no guarantee that permanent commitment to the
Department will occur. Families entering into an at-risk placement must
indicate in writing that they understand and accept the risks
involved.
Rulemaking Authority
39.0121,
63.233 FS. Law Implemented
39.521,
63.092
FS.
New 4-28-92, Formerly 10M-8.0058, Amended 8-19-03,
11-30-08, 7-7-16, 9-22-21.
