Current through Vol. 42, No. 1, September 16, 2024
(a)
Policy. Written adoption agency (agency) policy and procedure
regarding birth parents includes, but is not limited to:
(1) the scope of services for birth
parents;
(2) prohibiting coercion
of the birth parents;
(3) birth
parents who decide not to relinquish parental rights; and
(4) provisions for avoiding conflict of
interest between the birth parents, adopting parents, and agency.
(b)
Services.
Services for birth parents include, but are not limited to:
(1) helping the birth parents reach a
decision regarding plans for the child. When such counseling is not possible or
is contraindicated, the reasons are documented in the case record. The birth
parents indicate they understand the meaning of relinquishment of parental
rights by signing the agency's form;
(2) documenting, by the birth parents'
signatures on the agency's form, that birth parents understand the agency's
policy on open and closed adoptions;
(3) documenting that birth parents have been
provided with search and reunion resources;
(4) documenting, by the birth parents'
signatures, that the birth parents understand the financial assistance policy;
and
(5) helping the birth parents
meet their physical, emotional, and financial needs. As appropriate, the agency
develops a service plan to assist birth parents in locating community resources
to meet needs, such as:
(A) living
arrangements;
(B) medical care,
including prenatal, obstetrical, dental, and hospital care;
(C) psychiatric and psychological
services;
(D) vocational
planning;
(E) legal aid;
(F) financial assistance;
(G) transportation; and
(H) other services needed prior to and
following relinquishment.
(c)
Documenting expenses. The
agency documents all expenses paid on behalf of the birth parents by the agency
or by agency clients. The agency obtains prior court approval for living and
transportation expenses that exceed statutory limits.
Amended at 10 Ok Reg
2273, eff 6-11-93; Amended at 19 Ok Reg 2828, eff 10-1-02 (emergency); Amended
at 20 Ok Reg 955, eff 5-12-03; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1092, eff
6-1-06
