CODES/REFERENCES

N/A

 REQUIREMENTS

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

1. Identify a Wait List Adoptive Home for a child that fits the description of a Wait List Child age five years or younger of any race or ethnicity and has no physical, mental, or emotional disability when:
   1. A permanency plan of adoption is likely based on the evidence including but not limited to case history, non-reunification being granted by the court, circumstances exists where reasonable efforts to reunify is not required (see policies 9.5 Eligibility: Reasonable Efforts and 10.22 Foster Care: Permanency Planning)
   2. The child’s parents have voluntarily surrendered their parental rights to DFCS or their rights have been terminated; and
   3. The child’s current placement resource is not interested in being considered for adoption.
2. Contact the Adoption Exchange, State Adoption Unit to identify an approved Wait List Adoptive Home for a child that fits the description of a Wait List Child within:
   1. Six hours of the voluntary surrender of parental rights; and
   2. Twenty-four hours of a termination of parental rights (TPR).
3. Place a Wait List Child into the home of a Wait List Family.
4. Transition a child into the home of an approved Wait List Family within 30 days, if it is necessary to place the child into a foster home.

 PROCEDURES

The Social Services Case Manager (SSCM) will:

1. Notify the Adoption Exchange, State Adoption Unit of a child that fits the description of a Wait List Child within:
   1. Twenty-four hours of a termination of parental rights (see policy 17.11 Legal:Termination of Parental Rights); or
   2. Six hours of the voluntary surrender of parental rights to DFCS (see policy 17.12 Legal: Voluntary Surrender of Parental Rights).
2. Place the child into a Wait List Adoptive Home:
   1. Conduct the Adoption Placement Signing (see policy 11.9 Adoption: Adoption Placement Signing).
   2.  Document the selection of a Wait List Adoptive Home for the child by completing the Identified Resources section of the child’s Georgia SHINES Adoption Information page.
3. Place a child that fits the description of a Wait List Child in a foster home when there is not an available Wait List Adoptive Home:
   1. Thoroughly explain to the foster parent the child’s legal status prior to placement.
   2. Have the foster parent(s) sign the Placement of a Waiting List Child accepting the temporary placement of the child.
   3. Provide a copy of the signed Placement of a Waiting List Child to the foster parent(s).
   4. Upload into Georgia SHINES External Documentation a copy of the Placement of a Waiting List Child in both the child’s and foster parent(s)’ case record.

   5. Transition the child into the home of an approved Wait List Family within 30 days of the placement into the foster home. 

      NOTE: The foster parent may be considered as an adoptive resource for the child if the child remains in the foster home for less than 12 months. However, if child remains in the foster home for at least 12 months the foster parents has the right to be considered as an adoptive resource for the child. See policy 11.6 Adoption: Foster Parent Adoption Consideration Evaluation for the procedures for considering a foster parent(s) as an adoptive resource.

4. Contact the Adoption Exchange, State Adoption Unit to identify an approved Wait List Family for a child that fits description of a Wait List Child that has been in the same foster home for 12 months or greater, within five business days of the following occurring:
   1. A foster parent consideration staffing has been conducted to discuss the foster parent(s) option for becoming an adoptive resource for the child (see policy 11.6 Adoption: Foster Parent Adoption Consideration Evaluation); and
   2. The current foster parent(s) has completed the Foster Parent(s) Notification of Decision Regarding Interest in Adopting Foster Child(ren) form indicating he/she is not interested in being considered an adoptive resource (see policy 11.6 Adoption: Foster Parent Adoption Consideration Evaluation); or
   3. The seven calendar days afforded to the foster parent(s) to consider the option of becoming an adoptive resource for a child(ren) in their home for 12 months or greater has expired; or
   4. The adoption consideration evaluation determines an adoptive placement with the current foster parent(s) is not in the best interest of the child.

Wait List Home for a Legal Risk child on Foster Care Status

If the child is not legally free for adoption and/or the Child Life History is incomplete, the SSCM will:

1. Contact the Adoption Exchange, State Adoption Unit to locate an approved Wait List Adoptive Home willing to accept a legal risk child.
2. Prior to placement into the approved adoptive home on a foster care status, thoroughly explain to the adoptive parents the child’s legal status.
3. Maintain the child on foster care status until:
   1. Parental rights are terminated; and
   2. Verification that there is no pending appeal of the Juvenile Court ruling on the TPR.

4.  Complete the Adoptive Placement Signing in accordance with policy 11.9 Adoption: Adoption Placement Signing.

 PRACTICE GUIDANCE

When a child that fits the description of a Wait List Child must be placed in a foster home temporarily, it is important that the child is transitioned to an approved Wait List Family within

30 days of the placement. To minimize trauma due to the removal from the temporary caregiver, placement in a home that is intended to be permanent should be expedited. The longer a child remains with a temporary caregiver, the greater the attachment.

Legal Risk Child

A child whose relationship with his/her parent has not yet been severed or the termination of parental rights is under appeal.

Termination of Parental Rights

Termination of Parental Rights is the process for severing all legal rights between a child and his/her parent, except the right of the child to receive child support from his/her parent and inherit from and through his/her parent until a final order of adoption is entered. The child shall maintain the right to pursue any civil actions against his/her parent. The relationship between the child and his/her siblings and extended family remain intact until terminated by final order of adoption. Court orders terminating parental rights shall be without limit as to duration.

Wait List Adoptive Home

A Wait List Adoptive Home is an adoptive resource approved based on a pre-established inquiry date, to adopt a child age five years or younger of any race or ethnicity with no physical, mental, or emotional disability.

Wait List Child

A child age five years or younger of any race or ethnicity with no physical, mental, or emotional disability.

FORMS AND TOOLS 

Placement of a Waiting List Child