Library: Policy
340:75-15-41.4. Trial adoptive (TA) placement
Revised 9-15-22
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-15-41.4
Revised 9-15-22
1. The adoptive family with foster care placements is advised that children in foster care are not moved to place an adoptive child in the home. All children in the home, including children in foster care placement, are considered when making placement decisions regarding an adoptive placement.
2. Prior to pre-placement visitation, the adoption specialist and prospective adoptive parent complete Form 04AN021E, Pre-Adoptive Placement Visit Agreement, in duplicate.
3. Visits between the child and adoptive family occur prior to trial adoptive (TA) placement to assist in a smooth transition into the adoptive home.
(1) Each visit is evaluated to determine if additional visits will occur or if the child and family are ready for placement. The best indicator for a successful adoption is the child's ability to attach. When the child is attached to the foster family, there is good reason to believe the child can attach to the adoptive family when the foster parent encourages, assists, and gives the child permission to do so.
(2) The child is assisted with grieving the loss of and separation from the foster family.
(3) Visits between the child and adoptive family may be of different duration depending on the child's age and readiness or upon the adoptive family's request. The youth transition specialist and the child's child welfare (CW) specialist consider visitation arrangement types, including:
(A) a daytime visit between the child and adoptive family. The CW specialist and in some cases, after careful consideration, the foster parent may be included in the visit. The adoptive family is afforded some time alone with the child at every visit;
(B) an overnight visit, with the child returning to the foster home before a decision is made for placement; or
(C) an open-ended visit. When there is any concern on the part of the child, especially an older child, or on the part of the adoptive family about placement, the child may be sent on a visit with the family for a planned period of time. Prior to the end of the visit, a decision is made regarding the child's return to the foster home or the child's move to the adoptive placement.
4. A child's direct TA placement of a child into an adoptive home requires field manager's approval. Direct TA placement is only used when the child must be moved immediately from the present placement and does not allow for transitioning the child into the adoptive home. Direct TA placement occurs, when the:
(1) child is moved due to abuse or neglect in the present placement;
(2) foster parent requests the child be moved and transitioning the child results in an additional placement; or
(3) child is placed directly from the hospital into an adoptive home.
5. When an out-of-state adoptive family is identified and the field manager authorizes TA placement for a child in Oklahoma, pre-placement visits are arranged. The visits may include the child traveling to the adoptive family's home and visitation with the child in Oklahoma by the adoptive family.
6. The youth transition specialist and child's CW specialist determine when and where placement into the trial adoptive home occurs.
(1) The youth transition specialist and prospective adoptive parent complete Form 04AN015E, Adoptive Placement Agreement, in duplicate; Form 15GR004E, Notice of Grievance Rights - Minors in OKDHS Custody, for each child placed; and Form 15GR008E, Notice of Grievance Rights – Foster Parents. Copies are routed to the prospective adoptive parent and the resource file.
(2) The CW specialist contacts the youth transition specialist to obtain required information for progress reports.
(3) The youth transition specialist notifies the CW specialist when any placement concerns are identified and when the adoption finalization date is set by the court.
(4) The child's CW specialist gives the youth transition specialist, the child's:
(A) medical card;
(B) immunization records;
(C) educational records;
(D) shoes and at least five changes of seasonably appropriate clothes;
(E) the child's personal belongings; and
(F) the child's Life Book.
7. When there are disagreements or issues regarding how to proceed with the TA placement, the resource supervisor consults with the CW supervisor.
