11.24 Independent Adoption - Family Evaluation for the Purpose of Adoption by a Third Party | CWS

Date and place of birth;

Physical description;

Family background and history;

Current relationships with immediate and extended family members;

Education;

Social involvements; and

Personal characteristics, such as personality interests and hobbies.

Description of parenting knowledge, attitudes, and skills;

Behavior management practices;

Child rearing practices; and

Experience with children.

Summary of health history and condition of each family member;

Documentation of a physical examination via the Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report form of the prospective adoptive parent applicants completed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, registered nurse with advanced training working under the direction of a physician, or the public health department, within 12 months prior to the completion of the family evaluation;

A statement via the Other Household Member Medical Evaluation Report form from a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or public health department regarding the general health status of other members of the prospective adoptive family, obtained within the 12 months prior to the completion of the family evaluation;

Verification of medical/health insurance coverage; and

An informal assessment of the emotional and mental health of each member of the prospective adoptive family.

The understanding of adoption and how adoption will be handled with the child;

Attitude toward birth parent(s);

Understanding of how adoptive parenting is different from biological parenting;

Attitude toward rearing a child biologically not their own;

Understanding of the possibility of inherited traits and the influence of genetics vs. environment;

Expectations of the adopted child, including intellectual and physical achievement;

Understanding of loss in adoption;

Attitudes of other children residing in the home and extended family members toward adoption; and

The support network in place for the prospective adoptive family, including support systems for single parent families, if applicable.

Employment history of family members;

Combined annual income;

Ability to provide financially for the family;

Projected financial impact of the proposed child to the home;

Complete the Financial Statement for Resource Parenting;

Documentation from current employer verifying date of employment and present salary;

Copy of the most recent tax return (summary); and

Verification of lease/rental agreement or mortgage.

Description of the neighborhood;

Physical standards of the home, including space, and water supply and sewage disposal systems which, if other than public systems, have been approved by appropriate authorities;

If a home is not on county/city water and/or sewage systems, a statement is required confirming that an approved environmental inspection has been completed within the preceding 12 months;

Recent pictures of the home;

Current vet vaccinations or statement from a veterinarian to verify that any domestic pets owned or residing with the family have been inoculated against rabies as required by law;

A statement verifying that all firearms owned and in the home are locked away from children;

A statement verifying that if a swimming pool is present at the home, it is fenced with a locked gate to prevent unsupervised access and that it meets all applicable community ordinances;

A statement that smoke alarms are present and functioning on each level in the home;

Verification that gas heaters are vented to avoid fire and health hazards, with any unvented fuel-fired heaters equipped with oxygen depletion safety shut-off systems; and

Assessment of community resources, including accessibility of schools, religious institutions, recreation and medical facilities.

Include both family and non-relative references.

At least one reference must be from an extended family member not residing with the prospective adoptive family; and

If a prospective adoptive parent(s) has worked with children in the past five years, a reference must be obtained from the former employer(s) for that work experience.