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Session 8
Unit Two: Adoption
DHHS has children looking for families. The Adoption Worker is the guardian for each child on her caseload. Her primary responsibility is not to assist prospective adoptive families in their search. Rather, the Adoption Worker is responsible for all significant decisions that affect the life of each child entrusted to her care. In order to make appropriate and informed decisions for a child, the DHHS Adoption Worker gathers information from other important people in the child's life. The Adoption Worker must consider the following questions:
Before a decision can be made about whether adoption is the best option for a child, the Adoption Worker must work with the child to help the child understand why they have come into care, who their birth parents are, and find out what the child considers to be a family. |
Are you here to become a foster parent or to be an adoptive parent?
Even though a lot of participants feel adoption is not within their life plan, statistically about 80 percent of foster children in Maine are adopted by their foster parents. Therefore, it is possible that one year from now more people than not will be in the position of considering adoption. This makes this information relevant to the whole group.
- Children in state custody have been severely abused and neglected. There are environmental and genetic factors that will impact their development and behavior. Abuse and neglect can result in lowered cognitive and developmental ability, medical complications related to low birth weight and prenatal exposure to alcohol and other drugs. Children experience difficulties compounded with overlay of loss, disrupted attachment, and identity. Mental health issues may be genetically based in some circumstances.
- Click here for a brief review of the legal process.
- Click here for a definition of concurrent planning.
- Every child and family is an individual, so each adoption is unique.
- Adoption is a lifelong commitment. It is important for the family to understand this commitment.
Goals of Child Welfare |
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Permanency in the child welfare context, is built on the belief that children should grow up in permanent homes free of uncertainty and harm. Foster care is temporary. The preferred option is return to parent(s) when it is safe or to a safe and stable relative. |
Click for Session 8 Unit 2b
