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Preparing A Child
For Adoption

 

PURPOSE:

To facilitate the child’s transition into the adoptive home.

 

PROCEDURE:

  1. Within two (2) months after the date the petition for TPR has been filed or a permanency plan goal of TPR/Adoption is established, the adoption social worker and/or ongoing social worker shall prepare or update, with the child if possible, the child’s life book. To the extent of the child’s abilities, the adoption and/or ongoing social workers shall involve the child in determining significant life events to be noted in the life book.
  2. The adoption social worker shall prepare the child for adoptive placement appropriate to the child’s age, document those planned activities in the Adoption Case Plan and record the date, location and results of all meetings to prepare the child for adoption on a case note in the child’s WiSACWIS record.
  3. The adoption social worker shall enlist the assistance of the child’s foster parent in preparation for the adoptive placement by providing information for the prospective adoptive parents about the child’s likes and dislikes, personal care needs, interests, skills and routines and helping the child understand the change in placement from temporary foster care to permanence through adoption.
  4. When the child is able to comprehend, the child should be encouraged to specify preferences for a potential adoptive placement.
  5. When a prospective adoptive family has been selected and the family is interested in placement, the adoption social worker shall present information about the prospective adoptive family to the child including the family’s photo book. This presentation will be documented on a case note in the child’s WiSACWIS record.
  6. A minimum of three (3) pre-placement visits of gradually longer periods shall occur before the adoptive placement occurs.
  7. The first visit should be in the foster home and at least one visit shall occur in the residence of the prospective adoptive family and involve an overnight stay.
  8. Waiver of the pre-placement visits may occur only with the approval of the adoption supervisor in an emergency situation or where extensive travel makes a reduced pre-placement effort necessary.

 

Return to WiSACWIS Policies and Procedures Index Page

Return to Adoption in Wisconsin Index Page

Last Revised: June 16, 2008