OAR 413-215-0456
Adoption Agencies: Information, Education, and Training for Adoptive Parents
(1)
Adoptive parent training. The adoption agency must document that it has provided the prospective adoptive parents a minimum of 10 hours of comprehensive orientation and training, independent of the home study, that covers all of the following:(a)
The possible short- and long-term effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, drugs, and poor nutrition.(b)
The effects of separation and loss.(c)
The process of developing emotional ties to an adoptive family.(d)
Normal child and adolescent development.(e)
What research indicates about the potential effect on a child’s development of physical abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, institutionalization, and multiple caregivers.(f)
Issues related to race, culture, and identity.(g)
Acculturation, assimilation, and, if applicable, the effects of having been adopted internationally.(h)
Emotional adjustment of adopted children and their families, including attachment and psychological issues of adopted children who have experienced abuse, neglect, or trauma.(i)
In the case of an intercountry adoption, the process involved in an intercountry adoption and the general characteristics and needs of children awaiting intercountry adoption.(2)
Individual preparation. The adoption agency must document reasonable efforts to prepare prospective parents for the adoption of each child under consideration before the earliest of the following:(a)
The child is placed with them.(b)
Travel to the child’s country for the purpose of adoption.(3)
Methods of training.(a)
The adoption agency must provide the required training using appropriate methods, such as:(A)
Collaboration among agencies or persons to share resources to meet the training needs of parents;(B)
Group seminars offered by the adoption agency or others who provide training;(C)
Individual counseling sessions;(D)
Video, computer-assisted, or distance learning methods using standardized curricula.(b)
If the training cannot otherwise be provided, the adoption agency may allow the prospective adoptive family to complete an independent study that includes a system for evaluating the thoroughness of the subjects covered.(4)
Information and disclosures.(a)
The adoption agency must give the adoptive family detailed written information covering the following subjects:(A)
Resources for financial support, including tax credit, employee adoption benefit programs, and other financial assistance.(B)
Medical assistance availability, as applicable.(C)
Support services available to the family and the adoptive child, including adoptive family support groups, educational workshops and conferences, individual and family counseling, mental health services, and respite care.(D)
Information identifying each organization or individual who will be involved in the proposed placement, including whether the organization or individual will derive a fee or other consideration from a source other than the client in connection with the adoption.(E)
In domestic adoptions only, the potential ramifications of a failure of the birth father to sign the consent and surrender documents.(b)
If a child qualifies for adoption assistance through the department’s Adoption Assistance Program, the adoption agency must assist the prospective adoptive parents in getting approvals or agreements in a timely manner, prior to adoption finalization.
Source:
Rule 413-215-0456 — Adoption Agencies: Information, Education, and Training for Adoptive Parents, https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/view.action?ruleNumber=413-215-0456.