CODES/REFERENCES

Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act, As Amended by Public Law 111-320

 REQUIREMENTS

The Division of Family and Children Services (DFCS) shall:

1. Provide supportive services to preserve an adoptive placement, to assist in the adjustment of the new family and/or to prevent post adoption disruptions; and
2. Inform all families adopting a child through DFCS of the availability of post adoption services.

 PROCEDURES

Georgia Center for Resources and Support: Serving Adoptive and Foster Families

The Georgia Center for Resources and Support is available to assist adoptive and foster families in locating resources. Services are available statewide; agency and self-referrals are accepted. The following services are available to adoptive and foster families:

1. Training on adoption and foster care issues;
2. Support groups;
3. Resource listing;
4. Lending library of books and publications related to adoption and foster care issues; and
5. Website that provides current information on resources and training events.

Georgia Center

1105 West Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, Georgia 30309

1-866-A-PARENT or 404-929-0401

www. gacrs.org.

The Social Services Case Manager will:

1. Encourage foster and adoptive parents to visit the Georgia Center in person to access its lending library and other resources.
2. Refer pre-adoptive, post adoptive and/or foster families to the Georgia Center for Resources and Support to assist with locating resources.

Adopted Teen Empowerment and Mentoring Program (ATEAM)

The ATEAM is an outlet for adopted teens to address many of their concerns in a supportive group environment among their peers. This mentoring program is designed to provide adopted teens in grades 6th - 12th opportunities for mutual support and self-expression through group interactions with other adopted teens in ATEAM sites across the state. Parent support meetings are also provided.  Agency and self-referrals are accepted.

Parents are required to pre-register their youth for the program since each site is limited to 30 participants. For more information on the ATEAM program, contact:

Family Matters Consulting, Inc.

Phone: 770-965-9336

The Social Services Case Manager will;

1. Refer teens in grades 6^th – 12^th and their pre-adoptive and post adoptive parent(s) to the ATEAM.
2. Inform the referred family that:
   1. Transportation to and from the program is their responsibility;
   2. They are required to pre-register their youth for the program as it each site is limited to 30 participants; and
   3. Parent support meetings are also provided

Crisis Intervention Team

The most stressful times for families are those when family members are being gained or lost. It is reasonable to expect stress early in the adoptive placement and as finalization approaches. Since adoption is a life-long process, crisis can occur after finalization occurs. The Social Services Administration Unit contracts with a private agency whose goal is to preserve adoptive placements by providing crisis intervention services to families with a potential for disruption or dissolution of an adoptive placement or finalization. A team of skilled individuals work with families to assess and connect them to needed community resources. The services provided by the contract agency are short-term and are not meant to replace community services. Their function is to help families navigate these systems during challenging and stressful times. Referrals are accepted statewide.

The Social Services Case Manager (in a non-finalized adoption) or the adoption assistance Social Services Case Manager (in a finalized adoption) will

1. Initiate crisis intervention services for a family in a pre-adoptive or post adoptive stage by:
   1. Completing and forwarding the Crisis Intervention Team referral information to the Social Services Administration Unit for processing;
   2. Securing the appropriate release of information form prior to the contract agency’s initial contact with the family;
   3. Providing copies of psychological and/or psychiatric evaluations and the Child Life History at the time of referral to the contract agency;
   4. Informing the family that the contract agency may be traveling substantial distances, and it is important that all family members be present for the initial home visit;
   5. Advising the family to take necessary steps to minimize disruptions during the initial home visit (e.g., eat dinner and complete homework beforehand; allow the answering machine to pick up phone calls, etc.); and
   6. Exercising his/her own judgment in determining if the family would benefit from his/her presence at the initial home visit.
2. Consult with the State Office as needed.

 PRACTICE GUIDANCE

Adoption is a lifelong commitment by both the adoptive parent(s) and the adoptee. At all stages throughout his/her life, the adoptee and the adoptive family may have reoccurring issues around the adoption. It is vital that the agency be available to them whenever needed. The Regional Adoption Coordinator should be engaged in an exploration of availability of post- adoption services and resources when families call with a crisis or need.

 FORMS AND TOOLS

Crisis Intervention Team Referral Form 

Georgia Center For Resources & Support

Post Adoption Services/Adoption Assistance Benefits Handout

Post Adoption Services/Adoption Assistance Benefits Handout - Spanish