Section 65C-16.009 - Adoption Placement(1) The effective date of the adoption placement is the date the child in placed in the physical custody of the adoptive parent or the date the Memorandum of Agreement, CF-FSP 5072, incorporated by reference in paragraph 65C-16.002(2)(c), F.A.C., is signed.(2) The adoption placement process incorporates the following: (a) Selection of the family. The counselor will assess the abilities of the approved adoptive family to parent a specific child before considering presentation of the child's information;(b) Presentation of all family and medical information to the family regarding the child and to the child regarding the family;(c) All known information must be shared with the approved adoptive parent using the "Disclosure Information to Adoptive Parents" form, CF-FSP 5328, December 2010, incorporated by reference and available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13388, no later than the point of adoptive placement but can occur at the time of a family being matched to a child. A Spanish version of the Disclosure Information to Adoptive Parents form, CF-FSP 5328S, December 2010, is also incorporated by reference and available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-13389.(d) First supervised meeting shall occur with a family who has an approved home study, or with a family who is known to the child, is in the process of having a home study completed, and has cleared all required background checks. The first visit at minimum must be observed by the assigned adoption case manager.(e) A transition plan must be developed by the adoption case manager, current caregiver, when appropriate, new caregivers, and all providers who have on-going involvement with the child no later than 14 days prior to transition. The transition plan must respect the child's developmental stage and psychological needs.(f) Get acquainted period and pre-placement visits can vary depending on the age and child's history;(g) Identify and access needed services prior to the day of placement; and,(3) The decision on final placement is based on the child's readiness and the cues given by the child to the counselor that he or she is ready to move in with his or her new family.(4) An out-of-state placement for the purpose of adoption shall have the prior authorization of the court and of the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC).(5) The mechanics of final placement include: (a) An assessment of the child and family's adjustment during the transition activities, all needed services for the child and family have been identified and are active at the time of placement;(b) The child's case manager or adoption counselor will be present to facilitate the transition to the adoptive family at the time of placement; and,(c) An opportunity for the child to say good-bye to significant adults and children as identified by the child.(6) When it is necessary for the child to travel to the home of the adoptive parent for placement, the child shall be accompanied by the person with whom he or she has the most meaningful relationship. If this person is a member of the foster family, the community-based-care (CBC) agency will provide financial reimbursement for any costs incurred.(7) At-Risk Placement. (a) Occasionally it may be in the child's best interest to be placed in a prospective adoptive applicant's home prior to completion of legal termination of parental rights. Examples of situations where an at-risk placement may be appropriate include: 1. The child's termination of parental rights is on appeal and all known relatives have been considered and have been found unavailable or not appropriate;2. The child has been voluntarily surrendered and termination of parental rights by the court is anticipated;3. A petition for termination of parental rights has been filed and it appears unlikely that the child can be returned to the biological parents; and, 4. The child must be moved from his or her current foster home placement, and the placement in a pre-adoptive home will result in one less move for the child.(b) Pre-adoptive families entering into an at-risk placement must have an approved adoptive parent home study and understand that there is no guarantee that permanent commitment to the Department will occur. Families entering into an at-risk placement must indicate in writing that they understand and accept the risks involved.Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 65C-16.009
Rulemaking Authority 39.0121, 63.233 FS. Law Implemented 39.521, 63.092 FS.
New 4-28-92, Formerly 10M-8.0058, Amended 8-19-03, 11-30-08, Amended by Florida Register Volume 42, Number 120, June 21, 2016 effective 7/7/2016, Amended by Florida Register Volume 47, Number 174, September 8, 2021 effective 9/22/2021.New 4-28-92, Formerly 10M-8.0058, Amended 8-19-03, 11-30-08, 7-7-16, 9-22-21.