Foster and Adoptive Home Development (FAD) staff recruits, trains, approves, and verifies prospective foster and adoptive families.

Foster and adoptive families provide safe homes for children in DFPS substitute care during planned placements and on an emergency basis. Foster families work closely with CPS staff to develop and meet the permanency planning goals established for the children placed in their care.

The Foster and Adoptive Home Development program admits children and youth, of both genders, under the age of 18 years in foster homes for child-care services as defined in Minimum Standards for Child-Placing Agencies §749.61(a).

FAD workers:

 •   guide prospective foster and adoptive families through the verification process;

 •   ensure that the families understand and comply with Licensing's Minimum Standards; and

 •   ensure that the families receive the necessary resources and support to provide for children in substitute care.

Refer to the Foster and Adoptive Home Resource Guide for FAD-related terms.

Race, Color, or National Origin

FAD staff must comply with federal law that prohibits using a child's or prospective foster or adoptive parent's race, color, or national origin ("RCNO") as a factor in a placement decision, with extremely limited exceptions.

42 U.S.C. §1996b, the Multiethnic Placement Act of 1994 as amended by the Interethnic Adoption Provisions of 1996.

FAD staff may consult with the regional attorney for further guidance.

See:

4115 Prohibited Considerations Based on Race, Color, or National Origin

Appendix 4115: Information to Consider About Race, Color, and National Origin (RCNO) in Placement Decisions

6931.3 Race, Color, or National Origin