Local permanency specialists do not provide adoption preparation services. If a child receiving local permanency supervision needs these services, the primary caseworker (in the legal region) completes Form 2077 Universal Referral Form to request a courtesy adoption preparation caseworker.

Once the region providing the courtesy adoption preparation caseworker receives the request, it consults with the primary caseworker and local permanency specialist to determine when to make the transition.

A child is eligible for an adoption preparation caseworker if all of the following apply:

• Parental rights have been terminated.
• The child’s permanency goal is adoption.
• The child’s current placement is intended to be the adoptive family.

The local permanency specialist continues to visit the child and caregiver until the transition to a courtesy adoption preparation caseworker is made.

Exception: If the adoption consummation hearing is scheduled to occur within 30 days from the date DFPS receives the approved adoptive home screening for the caregiver, the local permanency specialist conducts the monthly face-to-face contact, and a referral for a courtesy caseworker is not necessary.