Selecting an adoptive home for a child begins when CPS staff determines that the permanency goal is adoption.

CPS may place a child with a family that is dual-licensed as both a foster and adoptive home, on a foster care basis, before terminating parental rights. These are known as “legal risk” placements. See 6938 Legal Risk Adoptive Homes.

In legal risk placements, procedures include steps for selecting the prospective family and providing the opportunity for adequate pre-placement visits consistent with good adoption practice. Before CPS signs the actual adoption placement agreement with the prospective foster or adoptive family, staff must have:

  •  completed the child’s health, social, education, and genetic history (HSEGH) report;

  •  determined that the child is emotionally prepared for an adoptive placement; and

  •  when necessary, de-identified the child’s case record to share with the prospective adoptive family.