22.7 Family Evaluation for Relative Adoptions | CWS

Conduct individual interviews with each household member and at least one family interview with all household members; and

Interview each child being considered for adoption if the child has the ability to express his/her feelings and desires.

Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report; and

Other Household Member Medical Evaluation Report (if applicable).

Name, address, home, and work phone numbers of the caregiver(s);

Marital status of caregiver(s);

Name and age of household members and their relationship to the caregiver(s);

Names and species of any pets; and

Name of person completing the evaluation and agency affiliation.

Biological/Legal family history:

Describe how the child came to be placed with the relative;

Indicate when the Kinship Assessment was completed and how long the child has been placed in the home;

Describe the relationship between the prospective adoptive parents and the biological/legal parents; and

Parents’ financial support of the child.

List each adult’s name, the date of the screen, and whether or not they are eligible to proceed based on criteria established in the following policies: 19.8 Case Management: Criminal Records Checks (CRC) and 19.9 Case Management: Safety Screenings.

Do not disclose any criminal records information. Document that an applicant is either “eligible to proceed as of (date of screening)” or “ineligible to proceed as of (date of screening).”

Evaluation of financial stability

Evaluation of physical and mental health status

Describe the child, including likes, dislikes, achievements, school information, adjustment in the home, medical and mental health information, etc.;

Document the child’s feelings about being adopted by the relatives; and

Document observations of the child’s interactions with the relatives and other household members.

Description of the home and neighborhood, including proximity to busy streets or highways;

Description of the soundness of the physical dwelling (e.g. roofing, porches, steps, doors, windows, flooring, operability of utilities, etc.). 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;

Description of housekeeping standards (e.g. cleanliness, appearance of household furnishings, management of waste/trash, etc.);

Description of the sleeping arrangements for each household member, including the number of rooms and types of beds in each bedroom and whether there is a safe sleeping environment for infants (if applicable);

Description of whether there is adequate space to accommodate all household members (e.g. bathrooms).

Confirmation that all firearms and ammunition are stored under lock and key inaccessible to children;

Confirmation that any swimming pool on the property meets the standards for water safety outlined in policy 14.1 Resource Development: Safety and Quality Standards (SQS);

Confirmation that smoke alarms are present and functioning on all levels of the home;

Confirmation that a functioning ABC rated fire extinguisher is present in the home;

Confirmation that carbon monoxide detectors are present and functioning on all sleeping levels of the home;

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

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

Confirmation that all animals have vaccinations required by Georgia law.

Evaluation of parenting practices, including behavior management practices;

Evaluation of the caregivers’ understanding of adoption and how it will impact the child (e.g. feelings of loss, anxiety) and other members of the adoptive family (including extended family);

Sensitivity to the child’s need to stay connected to people who have been important in the child’s life (e.g. siblings);

Attitude toward the child’s biological parents;

Expectations of the adopted child, including intellectual achievement;

Plan for protecting the child from exposure to the conditions from which the child was removed; and

Availability of a support network.

Name and contact information for at least three character references; for couples, references cannot apply to just one caregiver;

Document the manner in which each reference was obtained (e.g. in writing, in person, or via telephone);

Contact at least one extended family member not residing in the home as one of the required three references;

Obtain permission from the caregivers to contact each of their children residing outside of the household. If permission is not granted or if a caregiver refuses to provide a reference, the reasons must be reviewed with the caregiver and taken into consideration when making the approval decision; and

Obtain additional references if conflicting, ambivalent or inadequate statements are received from the initial references.

Results of medical evaluations: Prospective Foster or Adoptive Parent Medical Evaluation Report and Other Household Member Medical Evaluation Report (if applicable)

Immunizations for household members under 18 years of age (unless an exception applies)

Verification of fingerprint-based criminal records check on all adults

Verification of safety screening

References

Financial statement

Verification of income

Copy of marriage certificate (if applicable)

Copy of divorce decree from any previous marriages (if applicable)

Copy of death certificate(s) if any previous marriage ended due to death

Copy of birth certificate, naturalization papers, U.S. passport, or Permanent Resident Alien Form

Verification of pet inoculations

Verification of auto insurance

Verification of driver’s license