Upon the agency’s plan to file the petition to terminate parental rights you will receive a Notification to Foster Parents of Intent to Petition to Terminate Parental Rights form. Your family will have the opportunity to sign and return specific forms to begin the selection process if you already know you do not wish to adopt. During this time, the agency will be requesting a determination from the DFCS state office regarding whether the child will be eligible for adoption assistance. Once this determination is made, your family will be asked to attend a Foster Parent Consideration Staffing. 

The Foster Parent Consideration Staffing will be scheduled to provide you with additional information regarding the child, the adoption process, adoption requirements, and to determine your interest in formally adopting the child. The form Foster Parent Affidavit for Consideration of Adopting Foster Child(ren) currently in home will be given to you for your signature and acknowledgement of the discussion. You will provide your written decision to adopt/not adopt the child in your home. You must submit the form within seven days of receipt. 

If you indicate your interest to be considered as an adoptive resource for the child living in your home, DFCS will complete an Adoption Consideration Evaluation (ACE) on your home. This process includes the agency looking at several aspects to make the best-informed decision for the child’s well-being. Aspects considered by the agency include the child’s adjustment in your home, progress made since being placed, and your protective capacities and ability to meet the long-term needs of the child. The agency also considers social and family supports, willingness to maintain and support meaningful connections, and ongoing services, when needed, among others.

Additionally, the agency will require the following documents to officially convert your home to an approved adoptive home:

• Completion of application (Form35) 
• Medical statements on foster parents; if there is an approved medical (Form 36) on file in your foster home record and there has been no serious illness of either foster parent, a simple statement from your physician indicating the status of your health is sufficient 
• Current financial statement (Form 44) 
• Criminal records report and fingerprints (must be current within five years of completion of the home conversion) 
• Copy of marriage certificate, all divorce decrees and/or death certificates of former spouses 
• Completion of IMPACT training, if not previously completed, may be waived at the discretion of DFCS state office for homes approved prior to this requirement

Upon approval of your family as the adoptive family for this child and the child becoming legally free for adoption, a second meeting will be held. During this meeting, you will be provided the child’s life history, medical records, family background information, etc. You will also sign adoptive placement forms. The period of post-adoption placement is also discussed. Once the agency and your family believe it is appropriate, you will be given a letter to take to an attorney to file a petition for adoption in superior court. 

Last, but not least, is your finalization day in court! The judge will sign the adoption decree, making your adoption legal and final and the child will become a permanent part of his or her new forever family! You will need to contact the agency when your adoption is final and provide a copy of the Final Adoption Decree. Congratulations on joining with many other families who have added a very special member to their families through adoption!

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