Library: Policy

340:110-5-25. Services for birth parents

Revised 6-1-06

(a) Policy. Written adoption agency (agency) policy and procedure regarding birth parents includes, but is not limited to:

(1) the scope of services for birth parents;
(2) prohibiting coercion of the birth parents;
(3) birth parents who decide not to relinquish parental rights; and
(4) provisions for avoiding conflict of interest between the birth parents, adopting parents, and agency.

(b) Services. Services for birth parents include, but are not limited to:

(1) helping the birth parents reach a decision regarding plans for the child. When such counseling is not possible or is contraindicated, the reasons are documented in the case record. The birth parents indicate they understand the meaning of relinquishment of parental rights by signing the agency's form;
(2) documenting, by the birth parents' signatures on the agency's form, that birth parents understand the agency's policy on open and closed adoptions;
(3) documenting that birth parents have been provided with search and reunion resources;
(4) documenting, by the birth parents' signatures, that the birth parents understand the financial assistance policy; and
(5) helping the birth parents meet their physical, emotional, and financial needs. As appropriate, the agency develops a service plan to assist birth parents in locating community resources to meet needs, such as:

(A) living arrangements;
(B) medical care, including prenatal, obstetrical, dental, and hospital care;
(C) psychiatric and psychological services;
(D) vocational planning;
(E) legal aid;
(F) financial assistance;
(G) transportation; and
(H) other services needed prior to and following relinquishment.

(c) Documenting expenses. The agency documents all expenses paid on behalf of the birth parents by the agency or by agency clients. The agency obtains prior court approval for living and transportation expenses that exceed statutory limits.