When the court terminates parental rights, adoption is the first option the caseworker considers as a permanent placement for the child. However, if adoption is not an option for the child (see 6683 Ruling Out Family Reunification and Adoption Before Pursuing Permanency Care Assistance), DFPS determines whether the transfer of permanent managing conservatorship (PMC) with the support of permanency care assistance (PCA) is an option for the family. See the following sections and their subitems:

6680 Permanency Care Assistance (PCA)

1600 Permanency Care Assistance

If the family does not qualify for PCA and the child is not eligible for adoption, the caseworker explains to the family what benefits they may be eligible for when they are granted PMC.

In the unusual circumstance that PMC is transferred to a caregiver who could adopt the child, the caseworker does the following:

• Explains to the caregiver that the child will not qualify for adoption assistance if the caregiver is appointed as the child’s permanent managing conservator, even if the same caregiver later adopts the child through a private adoption, as mentioned in Form 0685 Intent to Become Permanent Managing Conservator (PMC)PDF Document.
• Gives the caregiver the brochure Adoption or Permanent Managing Conservatorship.
• Discusses the brochure with the caregiver.

After the caseworker and caregiver discuss the brochure and conservatorship, the caseworker gives the caregiver a copy of Form 0685 Intent to Become Permanent Managing Conservator (PMC)PDF Document for the caregiver’s signature.

By signing the form, the caregiver indicates both of the following:

• He or she understands that the child will qualify for neither adoption assistance nor postadoption services if the caregiver is appointed as permanent managing conservator.
• He or she waives any right to request adoption assistance or postadoption services after being appointed as permanent managing conservator.

If a caregiver declines to sign Form 0685 Intent to Become Permanent Managing Conservator (PMC)PDF Document, then the caseworker completes and signs the bottom of the form. The caseworker documents in IMPACT the reasons the caregiver gave for declining to sign the form, including the date the caseworker attempted to receive the signature.