Foster Care Adoption in the United Stateswebarchive.urban.org/.../411108_FosterCareAdoption.pdf · 2004-11-17 · child welfare agency and the courts, both of which play key roles

Foster Care Adoption in the United States:A State by State Analysis of Barriers & Promising Approaches

Commissioned by the National Adoption Day Coalition:

CONDUCTED BY THE URBAN INSTITUTE CHILD WELFARE RESEARCH PROGRAM

*Please note that the following report is

embargoed until Wednesday, November 17, 2004 at 1:00 p.m. EST

The National Adoption Day Coalition is comprised of eight partners – The Alliance for Children’s Rights, Casey Family Services, Children’s Action Network, Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute, Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, Freddie Mac Foundation, and Target Corporation – that work to draw special attention to foster children waiting for permanent families and to celebrate all loving families that adopt. Web site: www.nationaladoptionday.org

The Urban Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan policy research and educational organization established in Washington, D.C., in 1968. Its staff investigates the social, economic, and governance problems confronting the nation and evaluates the public and private means to alleviate them. The Institute disseminates its research findings through publications, its web site, the media, seminars, and forums. This study was conducted by: Jennifer Ehrle Macomber, Cynthia Andrews Scarcella, Erica H. Zielewski and Rob Geen. Web site: www.urban.org

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INTRODUCTION According to the most recent statistics available, in the United States in 2002, 129,000 children were in foster care systems nationwide waiting to be adopted. These children found themselves in this circumstance because their parents could no longer provide for their care. Child welfare agencies and courts around the country have made efforts to find families to adopt these children, but significant barriers have continued to impede the process. As a result, many of these children remain in foster care for years without having a place to call home. Moreover, when they age out of care usually at age 18, they are without permanent connections to families needed for success as adults. The foster care adoption process is complex and afflicted by many potential barriers, some of which are easier to address than others. Some barriers might even be considered necessary, in that they exist to protect a child’s best interests or a parent’s rights. For example, some children are not psychologically ready to be adopted, and some older children may choose not to be adopted. Similarly, the process may slow to ensure that parents have the opportunity to appeal court decisions or to obtain sufficient services to address their needs. Thus, even in a perfect system, some adoptions would not move quickly and some would not happen at all. There are parts of the adoption process, however, that can be improved, and states are implementing a variety of strategies to do so. The 1997 Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) made significant changes to child welfare policy by setting timelines and practice guidelines for achieving permanent outcomes for children. As a result of this legislation and a renewed focus on permanency outcomes, more children are moving through the adoption process. In 1998, 37,000 children were adopted. In 1999, the number of adoptions rose to 47,000. And in 2002, 53,000 children were adopted nationwide. For years, the field has speculated about why children remain in foster care and why the adoption process is not timely. Research has looked at particular aspects of the process and barriers faced by particular states or localities. Foster Care Adoption in the United States: A State-by-State Analysis of Barriers & Promising Approaches goes one step further by providing the first national look across states at the barriers to the adoption process, as well as promising approaches to address them. This report comes at a critical time. With the policy changes brought about by ASFA and increased numbers of children moving through the adoption process, the barriers to adoption and the need for promising approaches are more acute. This report describes the complexities, progress and struggles states are experiencing in implementing new ASFA policies to move children toward adoption. It also offers policymakers a first-time comprehensive look into the barriers and progress at the national and state levels, and provides practitioners with the opportunity to learn from each other’s challenges and successes. The National Adoption Day Coalition commissioned the Urban Institute to conduct this study using information relevant to adoption from states’ Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSRs). CFSRs are administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and are designed to help states improve child welfare services and identify areas where technical assistance can lead to program improvements.1 This report is organized into the following sections:

How Does Adoption Work? ………………………………………………………… 2 Stages of Adoption ………………………………………………………………..… 3 Research Methodology……………………………………………………………… 4 Guidelines to Research ……………………………………………………….……. 6 Key Findings: Barriers to Foster Care Adoption………………………………. 7 Key Findings: Promising Approaches to Foster Care Adoption…………… 9 Why Is This Research Important? ……………………………….……………….. 11 What Can Be Done to Improve the Foster Care to Adoption Process? …… 13 Glossary and Key Acronyms…….………………………………………………… 14 Table 1: Barriers Across States…………………………………………………… 16 Table 2: Promising Approaches Across States………………………………… 17 State Profiles…………………………………………….………………………….… 18

1 The current CFSR process began as early as 1998 and is concluding in 2004. States may have made changes to their adoption processes since completing their CFSRs that are not reflected in this report.

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HOW DOES ADOPTION WORK?

Moving children into adoptive homes requires several steps, as well as a complex interplay between the child welfare agency and the courts, both of which play key roles in shaping the adoption process. (See Figure 1.) The movement of a child’s case through the system is marked by several key stages. (For a complete description of these stages, see the Glossary on page 13.)

Child Welfare Agency

Courts

Figure 1: Stages to Adoption

Identify placement

ENTRY

Finding of abuse / neglect Initiate concurrent planning Establish change / goal

PERMANENCY PLANNING

Hold hearing

Diligent search Provide legal services

TERMINATE PARENTAL

RIGHTS (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for TPR

Conduct proceedings for appeal Recruit adoptive home Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home Adoption subsidy / establish services Prepare / transition child and family

ADOPTIVE PLACEMENT

Conduct proceedings for adoption

Provide post-adoption services

POST-ADOPTION

Age

ncy

Fact

ors

Cas

e M

anag

emen

t -

Res

ourc

es

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STAGES OF ADOPTION Entry A child first enters the child welfare system most often due to abuse or neglect suffered at the hands of his or her parents. At this point, the child is removed from his or her home and the child welfare agency assesses the child’s needs and identifies a placement best suited for the child. The court makes a finding of abuse or neglect. In identifying a placement, the agency may seek a family who is interested in adopting the child, which may speed the adoption process if it is later determined the child can not be reunified with his or her parents. However, if the finding of abuse or neglect is not timely in the courts, future permanency hearings may be delayed. In face, adoption efforts can begin at placement. Permanency Planning After a child is placed in care, the child welfare agency begins a process called “permanency planning.” This process involves the development of a plan with a permanency goal to eventually return the child home (reunification) or place the child in an alternate living arrangement (e.g., adoption, legal guardianship, permanent placement with relatives, or other planned permanent living arrangement). Agencies may implement a practice called concurrent planning to simultaneously pursue reunification and another permanency option, should reunification fail. The court must hold a permanency hearing for the child within 12 months of a child’s entry into care to confirm the goal for the child and order the appropriate actions to support it.

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) If it is determined that the child welfare agency will make efforts to place the child for adoption, the process of terminating parental rights begins. This process involves conducting a diligent search for the child’s absent parents and/or extended birth family members, conducting court proceedings, providing legal services for the parents, and conducting proceedings should the parent appeal the TPR. In some cases, a parent may voluntarily relinquish his or her parental rights.

Adoptive Placement States vary as to when they begin the process of finding an adoptive placement for the child. Some begin during concurrent planning, while others wait until TPR proceedings have been finalized. This process involves recruiting, selecting and approving the appropriate home. The court then conducts adoption proceedings, while the agency sets up a subsidy and establishes services for the adoptive family, and prepares the family and child for the adoption. All adoptive families are eligible to receive an adoption subsidy to assist with care expenses.

Post-Adoption After the adoption is finalized, the child is no longer in the custody of the state, and the new adoptive family assumes full responsibility for the child’s care. States may provide post-adoptive services to ensure a smooth transition into the adoptive home for both the child and the adoptive family.

The child welfare agency and the courts play key roles in the adoption process. The operations of these entities can significantly affect how cases move toward adoption. Two aspects of organizational operation are of particular interest:

Case Management Case management refers to how the courts or the child welfare agency handles a case. Specifically, how do organizational structure, employee beliefs and information systems affect the movement of a case through the agency or courts? Resources Resources include monetary and human resources the court or the child welfare agency has to carry out the organization’s operations.

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RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

The data for this analysis were taken from the states’ Child and Family Services Reviews (CFSR). The CFSR is a tool used by the federal government to ensure that state child welfare agencies conform to federal child welfare requirements. Congress mandated CFSRs through amendments to the Social Security Act in 1994, and ASFA of 1997 further specified the review process, requiring a more hands-on assessment of states' conformity with a set of indicators. The process is designed to help states improve child welfare services and the outcomes for families and children who receive services by identifying promising approaches and needs within state programs, as well as areas where technical assistance can lead to program improvements. CFSRs are administered by the Children's Bureau, Administration for Children and Families (ACF), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The review process is a collaborative effort between the federal and state governments. A review team made up of both state and federal staff members conducts the reviews and evaluates state performance. The team relies on information from a variety of sources in making decisions about a state's performance, including a statewide assessment completed by the state’s members of the review team; onsite reviews of a sample of children and families served by the state; statewide aggregate data; and interviews with state and community representatives. The CFSR results in three documents: the statewide assessment, a final review, and a subsequent program improvement plan (PIP). The PIP provides a plan for addressing outcomes that are not determined to be in substantial conformity. The CFSR review process began in 1998 and will conclude in 2004. States will be reviewed again in five years. This report assessed all three CFSR documents when available. Final reviews were obtained for 50 states and the District of Columbia. Statewide assessments were available for 45 states and the District of Columbia. Program improvement plans were obtained for 42 states and the District of Columbia. The state profiles indicate when one of these documents was not available and, therefore, not included in the analysis.

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The assessment of barriers and promising approaches was conducted in three stages:

Extraction An “extraction document” was created for each state by cutting and pasting information relevant to adoption from the CFSR documents. Specifically, state report items 7, 9, 27, 28, 44 and 45; statewide assessment outcome questions 4, 6 and 11; and the systemic factor on foster and adoptive homes were included. Information from these items and questions specifically addressed issues of adoption, including permanency goals, TPR, adoptive parent recruitment and the ICPC (Interstate Compact for Placement of Children). Other sections of the reports were also reviewed and information on staffing, training, organizational structure and agency resources was extracted when it was relevant to adoption. Assessment The next step was to assess the extraction document for barriers and promising approaches at each of the stages of adoption. When a state reported a particular barrier or promising approach, it was entered into a barriers and promising approaches table for that state. (See state profiles.) A barrier included any difficulty or obstacle that hampered efforts to move children into adoptive homes. Promising approaches included any innovative practice, approach, improvement, program or policy that reportedly enhanced adoption efforts. Given the small number of applicable cases, barriers and promising approaches reported in the onsite reviews were not included unless they were corroborated by another source, like the stakeholder interviews.

Checking One staff member conducted the assessment and created the state table. A second staff member checked the table of barriers and promising approaches against the extraction to ensure appropriate items were extracted and placed in correct stages. Team members met frequently to discuss questionable items and ensure the placement of items in stages was consistent.

To provide context for the barriers and promising approaches, each state profile also includes a set of key indicators related to adoption, such as foster caseload numbers, number of children waiting to be adopted (defined as children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated and/or have a goal of adoption), and the number of children adopted and by whom. Demographic characteristics for some of these groups are included. Data are offered for 1999 through 2001, and for 2002, when available. National estimates for 2001 are also provided for comparison. These indicators were obtained from the Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS), which provides a compilation of state reports on the numbers and characteristics of children waiting to be adopted and those who have been adopted. States may have more current data than what is available in the federal AFCARS.

Spending on adoption services for each state is also provided in the profiles. The Urban Institute Child Welfare Survey, conducted in 1997, 1999, 2001 and 2003, collected state child welfare expenditures for the previous state fiscal year (SFY) (e.g., SFY’s 1996, 1998, 2000 and 2002, respectively). The spending figure provided in each state profile includes Title IV-E expenditures on adoption and the corresponding calculated required state match. Title IV-E funding represents the majority of spending on adoption and related activities. For those states that were unable to provide Title IV-E adoption expenditures (seven states in 2001 and six states in 2003), data provided by the Department of Health and Human Services were used.

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GUIDELINES TO RESEARCH

A few key points are important to keep in mind when reviewing these findings:

Number but Not Magnitude of Promising Approaches and Barriers This analysis simply identifies when a particular promising approach or barrier is reported; it does not indicate the magnitude of a particular barrier or approach. For example, two very difficult barriers may be comparable to 15 mild barriers in terms of the challenge those barriers present to a state.

States’ Report of Promising Approaches and Barriers This analysis is based on states’ reports of barriers and promising approaches. It is important to remember that just because a barrier or promising approach is not reported, it does not mean that one does not exist. For example, it is most accurate to say “48 states report barriers in the TPR stage.” It would not be accurate to say “48 states have barriers in the TPR stage.”

Time Lapse This analysis is based on the first round of CFSRs, most of which were conducted between 2000 and 2004. Much may have changed since that time, particularly for those conducted early in the process. However, these data provide a useful baseline for assessing future change. Ideally, a follow-up study will be conducted to allow states to comment on this particular assessment and provide new and updated information.

CFSR Item Ratings In the CFSR final review for each state, the review team rates states by labeling a set of items as either a strength or area needing improvement. Six of these items were determined to be particularly relevant to adoption. Table 1 shows the number of states that received a rating of strength for each item related to adoption. The remaining states were labeled as needing improvement in these areas. Ratings for these items for all the states can be found online at http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb/cwrp/results.htm.

Table 1: CFSR Items

CFSR Final Report Items States Given a Rating of Strength for Item (Percent

and Number) Item 7: Permanency goal 9.6% 5 Item 9: Timely adoption 11.5% 6 Item 27: Permanency hearing process 50% 26 Item 28: TPR process 42% 22 Item 44: Process for ethnic/racial diversity in recruitment 40% 21 Item 45: Process for use of cross-jurisdictional homes 90% 47

This report builds on the CFSR analysis, but goes a step further by identifying promising approaches and barriers at specific stages of adoption. The CFSR ratings on particular items informed the identification of specific promising approaches and barriers, yet much of the information for this analysis was drawn from the supporting text for the different ratings, as well as the Program Improvement Plans (PIPs) and statewide assessments.

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KEY FINDINGS: BARRIERS TO FOSTER CARE ADOPTION The adoption process is complex, and states face many barriers to moving children toward adoption. The stages where states most commonly report barriers are described below. It is important to remember, however, that some barriers are easier to address than others. In fact, some barriers are inherent to the adoption process and may exist for important reasons. For example, youth over the age of 14 may choose not to be adopted. Similarly, parents have the right to appeal a termination of their parental rights. Thus, regardless of how well a system functions, it may not be possible to move all children toward adoption quickly. However, identifying the stages where barriers occur and what specifically thwarts states’ efforts may guide improvements where they can be made. Top Five Stages Where States Report Barriers (See Table 2 on page 16.)

1) Conduct TPR Proceedings Conducting TPR proceedings involves a back-and-forth relationship between the child welfare agency and the courts. The two have to work together to file the petition, hold the hearings and finalize the TPR. Most states (48) report significant barriers in this stage, which can delay the adoption process. Some of the more commonly mentioned barriers occur when the courts and agencies are reluctant to terminate parental rights without an adoptive home identified; when parents request another chance or have substance abuse problems; or when prior services provided by the agency were not sufficient to address parents’ problems.

2) Recruit Adoptive Home

The vast majority of states (47) report barriers to finding sufficient adoptive homes. Without sufficient homes, adoptions may be delayed or not even occur. The two most commonly mentioned barriers at this stage are finding homes for special-needs children (i.e., older children, sibling groups, and children with behavioral problems and disabilities) and finding homes to reflect the racial and ethnic diversity of the children.

3) Child Welfare Case Management

Child welfare case management refers to aspects of the child welfare agency, such as staffing and paperwork that affect the adoption process. Many states (43) report barriers around agency case management that delay the adoption process. Some of the more commonly mentioned barriers include staff turnover (i.e., a new caseworker “starts fresh” each time), high caseloads, insufficient staff training, lack of communication with the courts, delays when cases are transferred from an ongoing case unit to an adoption unit, and incomplete case records (TPR cannot proceed without certain information).

4) Court Case Management Court case management refers to aspects of court processes, such as staffing and paperwork that affect the adoption process. Most states (43) report barriers in court case management that delay the adoption process. Some of the more frequently reported barriers include continuances, crowded dockets, difficulty scheduling hearings, judicial beliefs about adoption, and lack of communication with the child welfare agency.

5) Establish/Change Goal The permanency goal should be appropriate and determined in a timely manner. Most states (42) report barriers to establishing or changing the child’s goal to adoption, which may mean adoption is not pursued in a timely manner or not pursued at all. Some of the commonly mentioned barriers occur when an agency does not consider the goal of adoption early enough in the case process or maintains the goal of reunification for too long. Additionally, workers and/or older children themselves may prefer a permanency goal of long-term foster care or independent living, presenting a barrier to establishing a goal of adoption for youth.

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Other Stages Where States Report Barriers Barriers can occur throughout the adoption process. While it is important to highlight some of the more commonly reported stages, there are other stages where states report barriers.

Child Welfare and Court Resources Many states (32) report barriers in attaining child welfare resources. Most report a lack of staff and agency attorneys. Many states (21) also report insufficient court resources, most commonly a lack of judges, attorneys and administrative staff. Initiate Concurrent Planning A majority of states (32) report barriers around initiating concurrent planning. Concurrent planning involves exploring reunification while simultaneously exploring alternative permanency options should reunification fail. While ASFA encourages states to implement this practice, states vary in whether and how they implement these procedures. Many states implement the procedures in policy, yet a common sentiment is that concurrent planning exists in “form but not function.” The states that have effectively implemented concurrent planning report that it is a promising approach in improving the adoption process.

Conduct Proceedings for Appeal A majority of states (30) report barriers around conducting proceedings when a child’s birth parents appeal the termination of parental rights. Most of these states report the appeal process to be very lengthy, sometimes taking years.

Approve Adoptive Placement Many states (32) report delays around approving an adoptive placement. Some commonly reported barriers include delays in completing home studies, difficulties completing the ICPC process for interstate adoptions, and the absence of a “dual-licensing” process for foster parents, meaning that if foster parents decide they want to adopt, they have go through an additional approval process for adoption after already completing the approval process to be a foster parent.

Finding of Abuse/Neglect Some states (8) report barriers around the formal finding of abuse or neglect; specifically, the adjudication process takes so long that it may delay the permanency process. For example, a child may be in care 12 months and eligible for the permanency hearing, but the child’s case may not yet be adjudicated.

Diligent Search A portion of states (20) report barriers in the diligent search for parents. In this stage, the agency searches for the child’s biological parents, which is necessary in order to terminate parental rights. Most states reporting a barrier at this stage believe the diligent search should happen earlier in the case process.

Provide Legal Services Some states (15) report that providing legal services for biological parents to protect their interests in TPR proceedings presents a barrier in proceeding with TPR.

Conduct Proceedings for Adoption Interestingly, only 12 states report barriers around conducting proceedings for adoption, suggesting TPR and recruiting sufficient homes are the primary points where the adoption process slows.

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KEY FINDINGS: PROMISING APPROACHES TO FOSTER CARE ADOPTION

Interest in achieving permanency outcomes for children through adoption has grown significantly in recent years, as evidenced in the ASFA legislation and the growing numbers of children moving through the adoption process. This report provides further evidence of this interest, as shown in the numerous promising practices undertaken by states to address barriers to adoption. The stages where states most commonly report promising practices are described below. It is notable that states are reporting a variety of promising practices to address many of the most significant barriers. Top Five Stages Where States Report Promising Approaches (See Table 1 on page 15.)

1) Recruit Adoptive Home Almost every state (50) reports improved efforts to find adoptive homes for waiting children. Some of the most commonly reported practices at this stage include conducting extensive recruiting campaigns using a variety of media, using exchanges and Web sites, and organizing a range of recruiting events and activities. States frequently report contracting or collaborating with other agencies to conduct recruitment activities. 2) Child Welfare Case Management Most states (45) report attempts to address barriers around child welfare case management. Some commonly reported practices include reorganizing staff to create adoption units or specific adoption positions, providing additional training on adoption, and creating permanency task forces or committees. 3) Approve Adoptive Home Most states (38) report efforts to improve the process of approving adoptive homes. This process involves background checks, a home study, adoptive parent training, and, if the adoption is in another state, completion of the Interstate Compact for Placement of Children (ICPC). Some of the commonly reported practices for improving this process include dual-licensing foster and adoptive parents so foster parents do not have to go through another approval process if they chose to adopt, expediting home studies, collaborating with neighboring states to complete the ICPC process, and enlisting contracts to conduct all or part of the approval process. 4) Hold Permanency Hearing Most states (36) report progress around holding permanency hearings. For many states, hearings were reported to be timely and effective. States report the use of tracking systems, improvements in scheduling, and Court Improvement Project (CIP) Bench Books as means for improving hearings and their timeliness. 5) Establish Adoption Subsidy/Services Most states (35) report efforts to establish services and subsidies to assist adoptive families. These states often report that such supports can improve the stability of adoptive placements and are important to ensure the well-being of adopted children.

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Other Stages Where States Report Promising Approaches States are also making significant efforts to improve the adoption process at many other stages.

Conduct TPR Proceedings Many states (34) report making efforts to improve TPR proceedings and are succeeding at ensuring more timely filings and hearings. Some of the more commonly reported efforts made at this stage include the use of mediation programs, the support and use of voluntary relinquishments and open adoptions, the use of tracking or “tickler” systems to inform courts and agencies of hearings, and the development of protocols to guide the process. Provide Post-Adoption Services A majority of states (35) report providing or making plans to provide post-adoption services. States vary in the types of services they are providing, ranging from respite care to counseling, and also vary in the extent to which these services have been implemented (e.g., some states are planning services, while others already provide them). Court Case Management Many states (32) report attempts to improve court case management. Some commonly reported efforts include assistance provided by Court Improvement Projects (CIPs), training of judges and attorneys, and efforts to improve communication and collaboration with the child welfare agency (e.g., through task forces, committees, liaisons, etc).

Child Welfare and Court Resources While resources are also frequently a barrier, many states report promising approaches in attaining child welfare resources (21 states) and court resources (11 states), most often increases in staff. Initiate Concurrent Planning Over half of states (26) report some success around initiating concurrent planning practices. Frequent improvements include new training for staff or court personnel. In some cases, states report training foster parents to be potential adoptive parents through foster-to-adopt programs in an effort to better implement concurrent planning. Select Adoptive Placement Thirty-three states report success around selecting adoptive homes for children. Most commonly, states report an effective use of cross-jurisdictional homes, which entails matching children with potential families throughout the state. Other states provide training and additional information to foster parents around becoming an adoptive parent of the child in their care. States may provide caseworkers with additional assistance in selecting an appropriate adoptive placement. States also report organizing matching events, where potential adoptive families can meet children waiting to be adopted. Establish/Change Goal Some states (18) report success around establishing and changing permanency goals. These states are able to establish timely and appropriate goals for the children in their care. Some strategies for doing this include revisiting goals for older children, utilizing family group conferencing, and creating committees or roundtable meetings to review the goals of particular cases. Prepare/Transition Child and Family Some states (21) report promising approaches in preparing the child and family for adoption. Some of these approaches include providing preparation services, developing mentoring programs, and offering mental health services to families. Often states use contract agencies to perform these services.

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WHY IS THIS RESEARCH IMPORTANT? This first-time comprehensive national look at adoption from foster care reveals tremendous complexities in the process and finds that states are quite similar in the challenges they face . There are extraordinary tensions in balancing children’s needs and parent’s rights. States have an interest in moving children into permanent homes quickly, yet at the same time must protect the parent’s right to parent and rights during a termination process. There is also a required extensive interplay between agencies and courts at several stages in the adoption process. As a result of these tensions and complexities, this report finds that many states report barriers at similar stages in the foster adoption process. States are also reporting an array of promising approaches to address these problems.

Reveals Complexity of the Process of Adoption from Foster Care This report documents how the foster care to adoption process requires a complex interplay between the child welfare agencies and the courts. Each of these agencies has its own mission, system of operations, and organizational culture making coordination of efforts extremely challenging. Highlights a Set of Barriers Most States Face Given the complexity of the process, states face many barriers to moving children toward adoption. Moreover, the vast majority of states report facing similar barriers, including difficulties in terminating parental rights (48 states), recruiting adoptive homes (47 states), child welfare case management (43 states), court case management (43 states), and establishing / changing permanency goals (42 states).

Highlights a Set of Promising Approaches in Which Most States are Engaged Interest in achieving permanency outcomes for children who cannot be reunited with their birth families has grown significantly in recent years. This report provides further evidence of this interest, as shown in the numerous promising practices undertaken by states to address barriers to adoption. States report the most efforts to improve the adoption process in recruiting adoptive homes (50 states), child welfare case management (45 states), approving adoptive homes (38 states), holding permanency hearings (36 states), and establishing adoption subsidies / services (35 states). Points to Persistent Barriers Most States Face Many of the significant barriers are at stages of the adoption process in which many states also report promising approaches. This suggests that States are aware of some of the most difficult issues and are taking steps to address them. This also suggests that despite significant promising approaches, some barriers are persistent and may require significant time and resources to resolve. Three barriers are of particular note: finding adoptive homes, case management, and addressing TPR tensions. However, some barriers are inherent to the adoption process and may exist for important reasons. For example, youth over the age of 14 may choose not to be adopted (although care should be taken to address what that youth is really saying). Similarly, parents have the right to appeal a termination of their parental rights. Thus, regardless of how well a system functions, it may not be possible to move all children toward adoption quickly. Points to Barriers Many States Face but Few Have Addressed The report also shows that for some stages of the adoption process where many states report barriers, few states report promising practices to address them. Specifically, many states report barriers around providing sufficient legal services during TPR proceedings, but few report promising approaches to address this problem. Similarly, many states report that the appeals process in TPR has significant barriers, and yet few have come up with promising approaches for addressing this problem.

Point to Stages of the Adoption Process that States Have Yet to Focus On There are a number of areas for which states do not report facing major barriers, and also do not identify many promising practices. These areas include completing diligent searches for birth

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fathers and relatives, preparing and transitioning the child and adoptive family, and conducting the adoption proceedings.

Suggests Strategies to Improve TPR Barriers around terminating parental rights (TPR) reflect the significant tensions courts and agencies face in struggling to balance protecting parental rights with protecting children’s interests. This report documents some promising approaches states have already implemented that might be enhanced, and replicated in other localities around the country. Streamlined and efficient process: ensuring complete case records, implementing “tickler”

systems to remind agency and court of timelines Sufficient resources at critical stages: adding agency lawyers; providing representation for

parents in appeals; and offering services for parents to address problems Alternative approaches: allowing for open adoption; exploring voluntary relinquishments; and

implementing mediation programs Suggests Approaches for Recruiting Adoptive Homes Many states report promising approaches to recruiting adoptive homes, yet still report this as a barrier. This report suggests some promising approaches that states are implementing, many of which might be further explored and enhanced. Planned and comprehensive recruitment: developing comprehensive statewide and local

plans; implementing a strategic planning process; and targeting the most applicable families Improved approval and selection processes: creating an efficient and customer-friendly

process; implementing dual-licensing of foster and adoptive parents; and informing relative caregivers about the option of adopting

Sufficient services: providing subsidies similar or equal to foster care; offering supplemental services similar to foster care services; and developing pre- and post-adoption services

Suggests Methods for Improving Case Management Courts and child welfare agencies must interact at several stages in the adoption process. Effective coordination and case management practice in both agencies is vital to ensuring a smooth process. States report several promising approaches in this area that might be explored in other localities. Coordination between child welfare and courts: developing liaison positions; creating jointly

staffed committees or oversight boards; implementing processes for sharing information Resources to process cases efficiently: expanding the number of judges, attorneys, and

administrative staff Agency Reorganization: designating staff for adoption functions only; creating adoption units,

changing how judges and cases are assigned; and forming committees to review adoption cases

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WHAT CAN BE DONE TO IMPROVE THE FOSTER CARE TO ADOPTION PROCESS? While states are making substantial efforts to improve the process of transitioning foster children to adoption and to address specific barriers, there is still much work to be done to ensure that all children find the permanent, loving families they need and deserve in a timely manner. The findings from this study suggest that the following recommendations may help in better understanding and addressing the barriers to adoption that states still face:

Direct Future Adoption Opportunities Grants toward Addressing Identified Barriers The Federal Adoption Opportunities Program (AOP), through grants to innovative state and local agencies, seeks to eliminate barriers to adoption and help find permanent families for children who would benefit from adoption, particularly children with special needs. DHHS, which administers the program, may want to focus future AOP grants on exploring strategies for addressing the barriers identified in this study as the most common and persistent or those not yet addressed by many states. Some of the promising approaches could also be targeted for adoption opportunity grants.

Use the National Child Welfare Resource Centers to Provide Technical Assistance DHHS funds 12 national resource centers to provide training and technical assistance to state and local child welfare agencies. These Centers, in particular the National Resource Center for Family Centered Practice and Permanency Planning and the National Child Welfare Resource Center for Adoption, could garner resources and expertise to provide technical assistance around the barriers identified in this study. These resource centers could also be used as a repository for information on promising approaches. In addition, private resources such as the Casey Center for Effective Child Welfare Practice provide at no fees technical assistance, training, and consultation to public and private state agencies. Focus on Coordination between the Child Welfare Agencies and the Courts Two of the five most reported barriers (terminating parental rights and establishing / changing permanency goals) reflect the complex and difficult interplay between child welfare agencies and the courts at several stages in the adoption process. Heightened attention needs to be given to the role of the courts in the adoption process, and the vital importance of ensuring coordination between courts and child welfare agencies. Ensure Workforce Issues a Place on the Agenda for Improvement Case management issues in both the courts and child welfare agencies were among the most cited barriers in the adoption process. A greater focus and higher priority on staffing issues, organizational culture, and information systems must be part of the national and state agendas to improve the foster adoption process. Conduct Research to Identify Effective Strategies Not enough is not known about what works for stages of the process where many promising practices are reported, yet there are still significant barriers. Rigorous research will be needed to identify particularly effective approaches in recruitment, terminating parental rights, or case management. Research will also be needed to determine where states are making changes and what new barriers and approaches are emerging. This report provides a baseline, but more research will be needed to document change and progress in addressing barriers.

Encourage Peer-to-Peer Learning Child welfare administrators, policy makers, and legislators can use the state-level information provided in the report as a springboard for sharing ideas about promising approaches. While the report is not able to provided detailed information on particular approaches, the hope is that states will contact each other to learn more about particular approaches.

14

GLOSSARY & KEY ACRONYMS

GLOSSARY Entry Stages When a child is abused or neglected, he or she may be removed from the birth family and placed in foster care. Adoption efforts may begin in these early stages, if states seek potential adoptive homes for children when identifying a temporary foster care placement. Adoption efforts may be impeded if the finding of abuse or neglect is delayed.

Identify Placement: The child welfare agency seeks a placement for the child when abuse or neglect has been determined, and the child cannot remain at home. This placement might be in a home with relatives, a non-relative foster family, a temporary shelter or a group home. Finding of Abuse/Neglect: Around the time the child is removed from home and placed, the court conducts a process, often referred to as adjudication, to render a judicial decision about whether the allegations of abuse or neglect are true, and whether or not the birth family is willing or able to correct the situation.

Permanency Planning After a child is placed in care, the child welfare agency begins what is called “permanency planning.” A plan is developed to either eventually return the child home (reunification) or place the child in a permanent alternate living arrangement (i.e., adoption, legal guardianship, permanent placement with a relative, or other planned permanent living arrangement).

Initiate Concurrent Planning: Concurrent planning involves exploring reunification while at the same time exploring alternative permanency options should reunification fail. Establish/Change Goal: Children in care are given a permanency goal to guide the efforts on their behalf. This goal might be adoption, reunification, living with a relative or guardian, long-term foster care, or emancipation. Hold Hearing: A permanency hearing must be held for a child within 12 months of a child’s entry into care. At the hearing, it is determined whether the child will be returned home, placed for adoption with TPR, referred for legal guardianship, or placed in another planned permanent living arrangement, if no other option is appropriate. States may use tracking or “tickler” systems to inform courts and agencies of hearings.

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) Stages If it is determined that efforts will be made to place the child for adoption, the child’s parents’ parental rights must be terminated to make the child “free” for adoption. TPR permanently eliminates all rights that a parent has to make decisions about his or her child and is a necessary step before parental rights can be granted to another individual or individuals. In some cases, the parents may voluntarily relinquish their parental rights. The TPR process involves several steps:

Diligent Search: If the child’s parents are not accessible, the agency or court must conduct a search to find and notify them. Conduct TPR Proceedings: The court conducts proceedings to terminate parental rights. To begin proceedings, a petition to terminate is filed. States vary in whether the court or the agency files the petition. States also vary in the legal grounds required for termination. Provide Legal Services: In the legal proceedings for TPR, the parents are often appointed legal representation. There are no national standards and states may vary in whether and how such services are provided.

15

Conduct Proceedings for Appeal: A child’s parents may appeal a TPR. An appeal is an attempt to have the final order of a court changed by seeking the review of a higher court.

Adoptive Placement An adoptive placement, or resource, is sought for children moving toward a goal of adoption.

Recruit Adoptive Home: This stage refers to state efforts to find potential adoptive placements for children, including the development of campaigns using a variety of media, the use of exchanges and Web sites, and the organization of recruiting events and activities. Select Adoptive Home: In this stage, the agency selects the placement that is best for a particular child. This process is often referred to as “matching” a child with a family. Approve Adoptive Home: The process of approving an adoptive resource typically involves background checks, a home study, adoptive parent training, and, if the adoption is in another state, completion of the ICPC (Interstate Compact for Placement of Children). Conduct Proceedings for Adoption: At this stage, the court conducts legal proceedings in which the adoptive parents take the child as their lawful child. The adoptive parents assume permanent responsibility for providing for the child, and the child is no longer legally connected to his or her previous parents. Establish Adoption Subsidy/Services: States provide a subsidy to adoptive parents to help assist with the child’s care. The amount of the subsidy can vary by state and the needs of the child. The federal government reimburses states for a portion of the subsidy, and some states choose to use state funds to increase the subsidy amount. States also may provide additional services, such as tuition reimbursement. Prepare/Transition Child and Family: Services are often provided to the family and the child to help them prepare for the adoption. Services can vary from meetings with a caseworker to therapeutic services provided by mental health professionals.

Post-Adoption Stage Once the adoption is finalized, a child is no longer in the custody of the state and the new adoptive parents assume full responsibility for the child’s care. To ensure a smooth transition into the adoptive home for both the child and the adoptive family, states may provide post-adoptive services.

Provide Post-Adoption Services: States may provide a range of services to the family after the adoption is finalized. These services can range from providing referral lists to offering respite care to making counseling services available.

KEY ACRONYMS

CIP: Court Improvement Project TPR: Termination of Parental Rights ASFA: Adoption and Safe Families Act CFSR: Child and Family Services Review PIP: Program Improvement Plan (part of CFSRs) ICPC: Interstate Compact for Placement of Children DHHS: Department of Health and Human Services

16

Entry Permanency

Planning

Termination of Parental Rights

(TPR) Adoptive Placement Post-

Adoption Agency Factors

Iden

tify

plac

emen

t

Find

ing

of a

buse

/neg

lect

Initi

ate

conc

urre

nt

plan

ning

Esta

blis

h/ch

ange

goa

l

Hol

d he

arin

g

Dilig

ent s

earc

h

Con

duct

TPR

pr

ocee

ding

s

Prov

ide

lega

l ser

vice

s

Con

duct

pro

ceed

ings

for

appe

al

Rec

ruit

adop

tive

hom

e

Sele

ct a

dopt

ive

hom

e

Appr

ove

adop

tive

hom

e

Con

duct

pro

ceed

ings

for

adop

tion

Esta

blis

h ad

optio

n su

bsid

y/se

rvic

es

Prep

are/

trans

ition

chi

ld

and

fam

ily

Prov

ide

post

-ado

ptio

n se

rvic

es

Chi

ld w

elfa

re c

ase

man

agem

ent

Chi

ld w

elfa

re re

sour

ces

Cou

rt ca

se

man

agem

ent

Cou

rt re

sour

ces

Alabama X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Alaska X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Arizona X X X X X X X X X X X Arkansas X X X X X X X X California X X X X X Colorado X X X X X X X X X Connecticut X X X X X X X X X X Delaware X X X X X X X X X X X District of Columbia X X X X X X X X X X X X X Florida X X X X X X X Georgia X X X X X X X X Hawaii X X X X X X X X X X Idaho X X X X X X X X X X Illinois X X X X X X X X X X X Indiana X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Iowa X X X X X X X X X X Kansas X X X X X X Kentucky X X X X X X X X Louisiana X X X X X X Maine X X X X X X X X X X X X Maryland X X X X X X X X X X X X X Massachusetts X X X X X X X X X X Michigan X X X X X X X X X X Minnesota X X Mississippi X X X X X X X X X X Missouri X X X X X X X X X X X X X Montana X X X X X X X X Nebraska X X X X X X X X X X X Nevada X X X X X X X X X X X New Hampshire

X X X X X X X X X X X X

New Jersey X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X New Mexico X X X X X X X X X X X X New York X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X North Carolina X X X X X X X X X X North Dakota X X X X X X X X X Ohio X X X X X X X Oklahoma X X X X X X X X X X X X Oregon X X X X X X X X X X X X X X Pennsylvania X X X X X X X X X X X X Rhode Island X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X South Carolina X X X X X X X X X X South Dakota X X X X X X X Tennessee X X X X X X X X Texas X X X X X X X X Utah X X X X X X Vermont X X X X X X X X X X X X Virginia X X X X X X X X X X X X Washington X X X X X X X X X X X X X X West Virginia X X X X X X X X X X X X X Wisconsin X X X X X X X X X X Wyoming X X X X X X X

Table 1: Barriers at Stages of Adoption Across States

17

Entry Permanency

Planning

Termination of Parental Rights

(TPR) Adoptive Placement Post-

Adoption Agency Factors

Iden

tify

plac

emen

t

Find

ing

of a

buse

/neg

lect

Initi

ate

conc

urre

nt

plan

ning

Esta

blis

h/ch

ange

goa

l

Hol

d he

arin

g

Dilig

ent s

earc

h

Con

duct

TPR

pr

ocee

ding

s

Prov

ide

lega

l ser

vice

s

Con

duct

pro

ceed

ings

for

appe

al

Rec

ruit

adop

tive

hom

e

Sele

ct a

dopt

ive

hom

e

Appr

ove

adop

tive

hom

e

Con

duct

pro

ceed

ings

for

adop

tion

Esta

blis

h ad

optio

n su

bsid

y/se

rvic

es

Prep

are/

trans

ition

chi

ld

and

fam

ily

Prov

ide

post

-ado

ptio

n se

rvic

es

Chi

ld w

elfa

re c

ase

man

agem

ent

Chi

ld w

elfa

re re

sour

ces

Cou

rt ca

se

man

agem

ent

Cou

rt re

sour

ces

Alabama X X X X X X X X X X Alaska X X X X X X X X Arizona X X X X X X X X X X X X Arkansas X X X X X X X California X X X X X X X X X X Colorado X X X X X X X X X X X Connecticut X X X X X X X X X X X Delaware X X X X X X X X X X X X X District of Columbia X X X X X X X X X X X Florida X X X X X X X X X X Georgia X X X X X X X X X X X X Hawaii X X X X X X X Idaho X X X X X X X X X Illinois X X X X X X X X X Indiana X X X X X X X X Iowa X X X X X X X X X Kansas X X X X X X X X X Kentucky X X X X X X X X Louisiana X X X X X X X X X X X X X Maine X X X X X X X X Maryland X X X X X X Massachusetts X X X X X X X Michigan X X X X X X X X X X X X Minnesota X X X X X X X X X X X Mississippi X X X X X X X X Missouri X X X X X X Montana X X X X X X X X X X X Nebraska X X X X X X Nevada X X X X X X X X New Hampshire

X X X X X X X X

New Jersey X X X X X X X X X X New Mexico X X X X X X X X X X X X X X X New York X X X X X X X North Carolina X X X X X X X X X North Dakota X X X X X X Ohio X X X X X X X Oklahoma X X X X X X Oregon X X X X X X X X X Pennsylvania X X X X X X X X X X X X X Rhode Island X X X X X X X X X X X X South Carolina X X X X X X South Dakota X X X X X X X X Tennessee X X X X X X X X Texas X X X X X X X X X X X X Utah X X X X X X X X X X Vermont X X X X X X X X Virginia X X X X X X X X X X Washington X X X X X X X X X X West Virginia X X X X X X Wisconsin X X X X Wyoming X X X X X X X X X X X

Table 2: Promising Approaches at Stages of Adoption Across States

18

UNITED STATES Barriers and Promising Approaches2

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach States (Percent and Number) States (Percent and Number)

Identify placement 12% 6 14% 7 Entry Finding of abuse/neglect 16% 8 6% 3 Initiate concurrent planning 63% 32 51% 26 Establish/change goal 82% 42 35% 18

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing 59% 30 71% 36 Diligent search 39% 20 14% 7 Conduct TPR proceedings 94% 48 67% 34 Provide legal services 29% 15 6% 3

Termination of Parental

Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal 59% 30 12% 6 Recruit adoptive home 92% 47 98% 50 Select adoptive home 29% 15 65% 33 Approve adoptive home 63% 32 75% 38 Conduct proceedings for adoption 24% 12 8% 4 Establish adoption subsidy/services 45% 23 69% 35

Adoptive Placement

Prepare/transition child and family 29% 15 41% 21 Post-

Adoption Provide post-adoption services* 29% 15 69% 35

AGENCY FACTORS Case management 84% 43 88% 45 Child

Welfare Resources 63% 32 41% 21 Case management 84% 43 63% 32 Courts Resources 41% 21 22% 11

* Sixty-nine percent of states report promising approaches for both providing post-adoption services and establish adoption subsidy/services. Since many of the promising approaches reported for providing post-adoption services were plans for services that had not necessarily been implemented, establish adoption subsidy/services was selected for inclusion in the top five stages where promising approaches were reported.

2 Green shading refers to the top five stages where barriers are reported. Blue shading refers to the top five stages where promising practices are reported.

19

ALABAMA

Highlights

Alabama reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management.

Alabama reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: Alabama conducts child specific recruitment efforts that include weekly

television features of waiting children in three of the four major markets in the state, a quarterly Waiting Children newsletter, and the use of adoption listings and exchanges.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – April 1, 2002

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Lack of early and intensive

searches Entry

Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not happening consistently X Planning training for workers,

curriculum for staff on time frames

Establish/change goal X Parents not informed of timelines, reunification goal maintained for too long, reluctance to establish adoption goal

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings not timely, not effective in moving towards permanency

X Tracking system

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Not filed on time, workers

reluctant to file, judges hesitant to terminate, decision delays, parents given too many chances

X New permanency specialist position to work with counties

Provide legal services


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Numerous and lengthy appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of homes for special-needs children, lack of recruitment in small rural counties

X Targeted recruitment, use of exchanges, community-focused efforts, cross-jurisdictional homes sought, recruitment contracts

Select adoptive home X Relatives not informed of benefits, inconsistent effort to find adoptive families when foster parents don’t adopt

Approve adoptive home X ICPC delays with home studies, foster parent adoption not timely

X Contracts for training


X Lengthy legal adoption process

Establish adoption subsidy/services

X Workers lack knowledge, need higher subsidy rates

X Medicaid coverage for children who move into Alabama

Adoptive Placement

Prepare/transition child and family

X Lack of training on preparing children

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Services provided by Alabama Post Adoptions Connections

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Lack of adoption training, case transfer issues, time to complete paperwork, staff turnover

X Training provided, tracking forms, adoption manual for staff, coordination with other agencies

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of staff for adoption process X Staff hired to assist counties Case management X Crowded dockets, permanency

training participation low, continuances, inconsistent in following ASFA

X Training on permanency, sample court orders developed by CIP

Courts

Resources

IndicatorsOVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001

2001 Nation 2002

Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 10.1 -- -- 6.6 Children in foster care on September 30 5,511 5,621 5,859 542,000 5,875 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 567 653 839 65,000 --

CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED Total number 1,013 1,162 1,288 126,000 1,535 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 2 3 2 3 -- 1-5 years 28 28 25 32 -- 6-10 years 36 35 33 32 -- 11-15 years 24 26 31 28 -- 16+ 5 5 6 4 -- Unknown 4 4 4 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 53 54 52 45 -- White 46 45 46 34 -- Hispanic <1 1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races <1 1 2 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 153 202 238 50,000 249 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) -- 13 14 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 38 41 31 48 30 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 46 47 88 57 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 1 3 3 2 1 1-5 years 49 49 47 46 48 6-10 years 37 33 33 34 33 11-15 years 12 13 16 16 15 16+ 1 3 1 2 3 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 51 41 42 35 41 White 46 58 56 38 56 Hispanic 2 1 -- 16 0 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- 1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 1 1 8 2

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 0 0 59 44 Non-relative -- 98 97 17 56 Relative -- 2 3 23 0 Step-parent -- 0 0 0 0

ALASKA Highlights

Alaska reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management.

Alaska reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Alaska developed a Balloon Project to promote permanency for children

who have been in foster care for a long time. This project involved hiring over a dozen new staff and increasing the number of attorneys available to process cases. Several other projects grew out of the Balloon Project, including the Home Study Project, designed to expedite home studies; Project Succeed, which implements procedures to search for adoptive families; and a process called Simple New Adoption Process (SNAP) that is designed to expedite the adoption process.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – June 24, 2002

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Established, but not implemented

consistently

Establish/change goal X Delays in decisions to change goal, tribes uncomfortable with ASFA time frames

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearing delays, continuances granted, too much focus on parents’ needs over child’s needs

X CIP working with hearing timelines

Diligent search X Relative search delays Conduct TPR proceedings X Filing delays, court reluctance to

grant TPR, compelling reasons not documented, TPR culturally unacceptable



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of effective plan, need for Native homes

X Child-specific recruitment, use of national exchanges, developing campaign

Select adoptive home X Difficulty identifying placements for children with behavior issues

Approve adoptive home X Delays in conducting home studies

X Dual licensing, home studies expedited



X Lack of services, no developmental disability subsidy

X Subsidy incentive program for special-needs children

Adoptive Placement


X Child’s medical needs not addressed

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Services needed X Program in development

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X High caseloads X New pilot streamlines concurrent adoption process, recognizing tribal adoptions, staff training

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of adoption specialists X Hiring new staff Case management X High caseloads, continuances Courts Resources X More attorneys for cases

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 6.8 -- -- 9.7 Children in foster care on September 30 2,248 2,193 1,993 542,000 2,072 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 689 582 553 65,000 --

CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED Total number 830 780 772 126,000 667 Age (in percent)


Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 9 9 9 45 -- White 28 25 27 34 -- Hispanic 2 2 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 58 60 62 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 2 2 1 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 137 202 278 50,000 190 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 24 22 21 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 63 66 57 48 67 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 93 97 88 99 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 4 3 <1 2 0 1-5 years 53 38 51 46 53 6-10 years 34 45 34 34 28 11-15 years 7 14 13 16 17 16+ 2 1 2 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 14 4 5 35 7 White 28 30 26 38 34 Hispanic 10 9 8 16 4 American Indian/Alaska Native 47 37 36 1 49 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 1 -- 1 1 Unknown/two or more races 1 20 26 8 5


ARIZONA Highlights

Arizona reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Arizona reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; hold hearing; and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: Arizona streamlined the process for approving adoptive placements by

allowing potential adoptive parents who had adopted another child within the prior three years or were licensed foster parents to simply add an addendum to their previous certification or foster home licensing home study. In addition, first-degree relatives, such as grandparents, were no longer required to be certified to adopt a related child.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – September 24, 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Dependency and TPR processes

joined Initiate concurrent planning X Not fully implemented, more

training needed X Improved planning policies,

finding homes that will accept children with goal of adoption

Establish/change goal X Adoption not considered for older children

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearing delays, continuances X Following ASFA timelines, pre-hearing mediation

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Workers reluctant to create legal

orphans, not filing for TPR X Streamlined TPR process



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy appeals process Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of homes for older children, lack of diverse homes

X Specialized recruitment unit, performance-based contracts, incentives for minority recruiting, use of exchanges

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X Delays in processing ICPC cases,

delays in home studies and criminal checks

X Certification process streamlined, certification for first-degree relatives removed


X Amount of time child required to be in home reduced


X Adoption promotion and support services, subsidy program with medical coverage

Adoptive Placement


X Children lack needed services

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Services provided

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Increased workloads, backlogs, staff turnover

X Training provided, Families for Kids Initiative working on backlogs

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Crowded court calendars X Use of one family/one judge

approach Courts

Resources X Delays due to judges’ rotations

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 31.9 -- -- 28.8 Children in foster care on September 30 7,034 6,475 6,050 542,000 6,211 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 2,633 1,817 1,306 65,000 --


Under 1 year 6 4 2 3 -- 1-5 years 41 39 35 32 -- 6-10 years 35 33 33 32 -- 11-15 years 18 23 28 28 -- 16+ <1 1 2 4 -- Unknown 0 -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 11 11 10 45 -- White 48 45 48 34 -- Hispanic 33 37 35 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 2 2 2 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 0 0 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 5 6 6 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 13 11 10 35 9 White 56 56 44 38 43 Hispanic 28 26 38 16 41 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 3 2 1 1 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 2 5 7 8 6

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 43 43 59 26 Non-relative -- 19 15 17 38 Relative -- 38 42 23 36 Step-parent -- <1 <1 0 0

ARKANSAS Highlights

Arkansas reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Arkansas reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and hold hearing.

A promising approach of interest: focusing on finding homes for children, Arkansas engages in general and child-

specific recruitment through a number of recruitment tools, and uses private agencies and community organizations to expand its recruitment efforts. Adoption staff receives training and technical assistance on adoptive home recruitment, and there are plans to create a statewide recruitment campaign for African-American and older children.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – July 9, 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Difficulty with concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Lack of urgency to move kids to

permanency, or change goals of adoption for older children when no home is available; agency won’t pursue permanency goals unless believes court supports

Permanency

Planning

Hold hearing X Diligent filing and scheduling of hearings, meeting with judges to improve hearings

Diligent search X Interests of absent fathers not pursued

Conduct TPR proceedings X Workers reluctant to TPR, some judges do not TPR

X Strong filing process



Rights (TPR)


X Special-needs recruitment is “uneven,” reluctance to use national registries

X Recruiting families to reflect diversity of kids, recruitment contracts with private agencies, use of ICPC to recruit homes

Select adoptive home X Delays in selecting home if foster parent is not adopting

X Promoting and supporting foster parent and relative adoptions

Approve adoptive home X Contracts for home studies and adoption summaries



Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Increased services such as support groups and training

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Lack of communication between caseworker and adoption worker, belief that older children will not find adoptive placement

X Training on ASFA and recruitment provided, planning to recentralize adoption and field staff

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Some judges not following ASFA Courts Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 5 4 3 3 -- 1-5 years 36 31 30 32 -- 6-10 years 31 33 33 32 -- 11-15 years 26 29 31 28 -- 16+ 2 3 3 4 -- Unknown <1 -- 1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 42 41 38 45 -- White 55 54 56 34 -- Hispanic 2 2 2 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 -- <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 2 2 5 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 318 325 362 50,000 297 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 26 34 35 -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 66 64 57 48 56 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 94 89 88 81 Age (in percent)


Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 40 37 33 35 33 White 53 57 62 38 61 Hispanic 2 4 3 16 2 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 1 -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 -- <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 4 2 2 8 4


CALIFORNIA Highlights

California reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR

proceedings; recruit adoptive home; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management. California reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; hold hearing; and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: the California Adoption Initiative increased funding and made statutory,

regulatory, policy and practice reforms that focus on achieving legal permanency for children in foster care. The initiative also provides technical assistance to adoption workers, thereby improving casework practice.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Mandated concurrent planning,

done especially well for younger children

Establish/change goal X Lack of diligence in efforts to achieve permanency for older children

X Legislative changes mandating adoption reassessment every six months, shorter reunification time frames, synchronized time frames for siblings

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Regular hearings held Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X No TPR unless adoptive home

identified, agency not filing TPR X Allow for open adoptions



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of targeted recruitment strategies, lack of adoptive families

X Use of a variety of recruitment methods including media recruitment

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X Delays in the home study process Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Changed regulations around payment rates to remove financial disincentives to adopting cross-jurisdictionally

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Post-adoption services provided

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Belief among workers that services will cease when children are adopted, that services differ from those that are offered to foster parents, and that older children are unadoptable

X Increased reimbursement rate to private agencies to encourage greater partnership between public and private agencies

Child Welfare

Resources X Increased funding for county adoption agencies

Case management Courts Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 258.7 -- -- 385.2 Children in foster care on September 30 (in thousands) 117.9 112.8 107.2 542.0 100.5 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 6,911 9,791 999 65,000 --


Under 1 year 4 4 6 3 -- 1-5 years 52 47 40 32 -- 6-10 years 30 32 34 32 -- 11-15 years 12 15 17 28 -- 16+ 2 2 2 4 -- Unknown <1 <1 <1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 31 31 34 45 -- White 32 31 23 34 -- Hispanic 34 36 38 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 1 1 1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 2 2 1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races <1 <1 3 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 6,344 8,776 9,180 50,000 8,713 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 32 18 18 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 56 47 42 48 44 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 90 92 88 93 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 2 2 3 2 2 1-5 years 64 57 52 46 51 6-10 years 26 29 31 34 30 11-15 years 7 10 12 16 14 16+ 1 2 2 2 2 Unknown -- 0 <1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 20 22 17 35 23 White 43 35 31 38 29 Hispanic 32 34 37 16 41 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 1 <1 1 1 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 2 1 1 1 2 Unknown/two or more races 3 8 13 8 6

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 48 46 59 48 Non-relative -- 9 7 17 6 Relative -- 43 47 23 47 Step-parent -- 0 0 0 <1

COLORADO Highlights

Colorado reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:

establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; and child welfare case management.

Colorado reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; and approve adoptive home.

A promising approach of interest: Colorado developed a uniform format for assessment of foster and

adoptive homes. The county conducts criminal checks and safety inspections, and trains families on how to provide safe care. Once certified for foster care, a family does not need another home study if it decides to adopt.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Staff training on planning, birth

parents impelled to either engage in services or relinquish rights

Establish/change goal X Adoption for older youth not considered, delays in changing goals

X Expedited planning for children under 6, increased emphasis on permanency for teens, Family Group Mediation conferencing

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings not timely X Improved compliance with timing, timely hearings for younger kids, tracking system

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Reluctance to pursue TPR in

some cases, inconsistent filing, TPR based on age rather than case history

X Notable gains for younger children, open adoption promoted



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of recruitment for special-needs children, lack of adequate efforts to find homes, small pool of waiting families

X Statewide recruitment campaign, recruitment handbook, targeted recruitment, use of exchanges, effort to recruit out-of-state and cross-jurisdictional families

Select adoptive home X Track approved homes, cross-jurisdictional barriers removed

Approve adoptive home X Workers not completing background checks, training not required by state

X Assessments streamlined, standardized home studies, plans for video on ICPC for legal staff



X Certain services may not be available once adopted

Adoptive Placement


X Foster/adoptive parents do not feel supported

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Family advocates help families access services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Belief children are unadoptable based on age, ethnicity, and/or disabilities; paperwork delays; poor casework practice; case transfer delays

X Staff training on permanency, permanency for teens, and preparing for TPR hearings

Child Welfare

Resources X Staff limitations X Recruiters hired Case management X Permanency training Courts Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 26.2 -- -- 34.5 Children in foster care on September 30 7,639 7,533 7,138 542,000 9,209 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 1,211 1,267 695 65,000 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 19 21 19 45 -- White 47 45 45 34 -- Hispanic 30 30 32 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 2 3 1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 2 2 6 --


Under 1 year 4 3 3 2 2 1-5 years 45 49 51 46 49 6-10 years 33 32 28 34 29 11-15 years 15 14 15 16 17 16+ 3 2 2 2 3 Unknown -- -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 21 17 18 35 18 White 51 52 50 38 47 Hispanic 24 28 27 16 30 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 2 2 1 2 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 1 1 1 1 Unknown/two or more races <1 1 2 8 3

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 66 63 59 57 Non-relative -- 10 10 17 12 Relative -- 24 47 23 32 Step-parent -- 0 <1 0 <1

CONNECTICUT Highlights

Connecticut reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:

establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management.

Connecticut reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: in Connecticut, the judicial branch created a case management protocol to

improve timeliness in the scheduling and hearing of cases. In addition, the appellate court worked collaboratively with the juvenile court to prioritize appeals to parental rights terminations and streamline the process for moving them to resolution.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Lack of clarity on policies and

procedures

Establish/change goal X Long-term foster care and independent living are viewed as appropriate goals

X Permanent plan required for all minor children

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearing results not binding, hearings viewed as adversarial

Diligent search X Lack of diligent searches for fathers

Conduct TPR proceedings X Contested TPRs cause delays, TPR not pursued until adoptive home is identified, workers do not file

X Case management protocol implemented by court, open adoptions encouraged



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Process to prioritize appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of homes, lack of a mass media campaign to raise awareness

X Generalized recruitment strategy, committee to coordinate efforts, specific efforts for special-needs kids, use of exchanges

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home X Contracts with out-of-state

agencies for permanency services, revisions to ICPC policy



X Training and support for parents to stabilize placements, services provided

Adoptive Placement


X Older kids prefer independent living services to adoption

X Planned training on preparing children for adoption

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X College tuition available to foster children but not adopted children

X Services provided using AOP grant, support programs for families

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Staff turnover X Permanency Task Force and permanency planning units and teams promote permanency, training provided

Child Welfare

Resources X Adoption consultant for technical assistance and case reviews

Case management X Backlogs, hearing delays, lack of attorney contact with children

X CIP working with agency to improve permanency

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 35.6 -- -- 31.9 Children in foster care on September 30 7,487 6,996 7,440 542,000 6,007 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 115 151 -- 65,000 --

CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED Total number -- -- -- 126,000 1,044 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year -- -- -- 3 -- 1-5 years -- -- -- 32 -- 6-10 years -- -- -- 32 -- 11-15 years -- -- -- 28 -- 16+ -- -- -- 4 -- Unknown -- -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black -- -- -- 45 -- White -- -- -- 34 -- Hispanic -- -- -- 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races -- -- -- 6 --


Under 1 year <1 <1 1 2 0 1-5 years 49 47 55 46 45 6-10 years 37 38 32 34 37 11-15 years 12 13 12 16 17 16+ 2 1 1 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 30 31 32 35 27 White 34 38 28 38 35 Hispanic 12 18 31 16 26 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 24 12 9 8 11


DELAWARE Highlights

Delaware reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; and court case management.

Delaware reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Delaware provides post-adoptive services to all adoptive families through

Adoptive Families with Information and Support (AFIS). AFIS provides support groups and group counseling sessions. It also provides therapeutic services to address adoption-related issues expressed in difficulties in family relationships or the child or adolescent’s behavior at any time following the adoption.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 1998 – March 12, 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Exploring relatives’ homes Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Planning implemented Establish/change goal X Delays in establishing goals, lack

of planning for juvenile justice cases

Permanency

Planning

Hold hearing X Tracking not always working, guardians not appointed for all children

X Timely hearings, tracking system for hearings

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Lengthy time to TPR, courts

sometimes hesitant to TPR, requirement that agency must provide reunification services for 12 months before termination

X Increased number of petitions filed



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Appeals not timely Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of homes, especially diverse homes and homes for special needs children

X Contracting with private agency to recruit minority families, use of exchanges, media recruitment, community college course on adoption for interested families

Select adoptive home X Permanency planning committee selects home

Approve adoptive home X Training delays, ICPC delays, delays in background checks

X Planning to consolidate approval, training and supervision


X Placement in adoptive home for 12 months before finalization


X Adoption assistance and subsidies available

Adoptive Placement


X Services provided for family and child

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Gaps in services X Services available to all adoptive families

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Multi-Disciplinary Treatment Teams, permanency planning committee reviewing adoption cases, collaboration with court

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of funding to implement ASFA

X Permanency coordinator position, reallocated staff to permanency

Case management X Backlogs, continuances, difficulty scheduling hearings

X Committee with agency to address systemic barriers

Courts

Resources X Lack of funds to address backlogs

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 2.5 -- -- 3.5 Children in foster care on September 30 1,193 1,098 1,023 542,000 886 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 123 181 192 65,000 --

CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED Total number 950 939 918 126,000 3,117 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 1 2 4 3 -- 1-5 years 40 37 34 32 -- 6-10 years 46 41 36 32 -- 11-15 years 13 19 25 28 -- 16+ <1 1 1 4 -- Unknown -- <1 -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 67 68 62 45 -- White 27 26 32 34 -- Hispanic 6 6 5 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races -- -- -- 6 --


Under 1 year -- -- 2 2 0 1-5 years 58 58 51 46 38 6-10 years 42 32 36 34 38 11-15 years -- 10 10 16 23 16+ -- -- 1 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 39 55 62 35 61 White 52 39 28 38 29 Hispanic 6 4 10 16 10 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 3 2 -- 8 0


DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Highlights

The District of Columbia reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:


The District of Columbia reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising

approaches most commonly occur: hold hearings; recruit adoptive homes; approve adoptive homes; and child welfare case management.

A promising approach of interest: the District of Columbia made efforts to improve timeliness in terminating

parental rights. The state implemented a Diligent Search Unit to locate absent parents and relatives. An initiative to collocate corporation counsel with agency staff was undertaken, and case processing systems for new and older cases were improved.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Child Protection Mediation

Program prior to adjudication Initiate concurrent planning X Not occurring in reunification

cases X Increased efforts

Establish/change goal X Lack of ongoing planning, adoption not considered soon enough

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Not held in timely manner, lack of clarity on roles of participants

X Hearing improvements

Diligent search X Diligent Search Unit in place Conduct TPR proceedings X Reluctance to file, reluctance to

TPR without adoptive home, not processed in timely manner

X Planning to prioritize TPR cases, improved case processing



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy appeals X Consolidation of hearings to avoid appeal delays

Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of adoptive families X Recruitment process in place, award-wining Wednesday’s Child program

Select adoptive home X Families hesitant to participate in high-risk placements

Approve adoptive home X ICPC problems with Virginia and Maryland, lack of dual licensure, homes not uniformly approved

X Reduced time to home study, planning to dually license homes


X Biological parents can appeal TPR after adoption finalized

Contract to approve placements


Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X High caseloads, lack of complete case plans, turnover

X Staff training, permanency staffing to review cases

Child Welfare

Resources X Staff shortage Case management X Backlog of cases, judges not

consistently assigned to cases, inconsistency of court report formats

X CIP’s Remedial Project reviewing cases, training provided, planning to improve handling of child welfare cases

Courts

Resources X Lack of staff to file motions, limited legal counsel and assistance, insufficient legal resources

X Additional resources to address backlogs, counsels provided to judges, assigning judge to adoption calendar

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 9.3 -- -- 18.2 Children in foster care on September 30 3,466 3,054 3,339 542,000 3,321 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 44 -- -- 65,000 --

CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED Total number -- 1,086 1,148 126,000 1,178 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year -- 1 1 3 -- 1-5 years -- 27 21 32 -- 6-10 years -- 48 45 32 -- 11-15 years -- 23 32 28 -- 16+ -- 1 2 4 -- Unknown -- <1 1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black -- 97 96 45 -- White -- <1 <1 34 -- Hispanic -- 1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races -- 2 2 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 98 97 100 35 99 White -- 1 -- 38 0 Hispanic -- 2 -- 16 0 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 2 1 <1 8 --

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 70 80 59 73 Non-relative -- 8 0 17 <1 Relative -- 22 20 23 27 Step-parent -- 1 0 0 0

FLORIDA Highlights

Florida reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; and court case management.

Florida reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: a significant number of adoptions in Florida are the result of out-of-state

placements with relatives. Florida reports having an outstanding ICPC office to facilitate these placements. Florida also has a system in place to pay the receiving state for services that lead to these placements (i.e., home study, recruitment, training and visits).

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – August 6, 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Intensive relative searches Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Goals not established in timely

manner and not clear to everyone involved, lack of involvement of pertinent parties

Permanency

Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings, tracking system Diligent search X Delays in identifying absent

parents

Conduct TPR proceedings X Lack of timely filings for older and special-needs children

X Timely filings, can file for TPR early if parents show insufficient efforts, court gives priority to TPR cases

Provide legal services X Children not always routinely assigned a guardian ad litem (GAL)

X Legal services provided


Rights (TPR)


X More children needing homes than available homes

X Various media recruitment, use of exchanges, targeted recruitment, designated recruitment staff, working with private agency

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home X ICPC office effective at facilitating

out-of-state placements Conduct proceedings for adoption

X Paying court costs


X Health services for adopted children, monthly cash subsidies

Adoptive Placement


X Preparation services, supervising placements during finalization, contracts with out-of-state agencies for placement services

Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Specialized adoption program provides services throughout the adoption process, children without special needs referred to private agency for adoption

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Crowded court docket Courts Resources X Shortage of GALs

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 58.3 -- -- 74.2 Children in foster care on September 30 34,292 36,608 32,477 542,000 31,963 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 0 0 3,720 65,000 --


Under 1 year 4 3 4 3 -- 1-5 years 32 33 35 32 -- 6-10 years 37 35 30 32 -- 11-15 years 24 26 26 28 -- 16+ 3 4 4 4 -- Unknown 1 1 <1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 50 49 45 45 -- White 44 36 42 34 -- Hispanic 5 11 9 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 0 0 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 4 4 6 --


Under 1 year 1 1 2 2 2 1-5 years 47 49 51 46 52 6-10 years 35 34 32 34 29 11-15 years 16 14 13 16 16 16+ 2 2 2 2 2 Unknown -- -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 40 35 34 35 36 White 48 45 47 38 50 Hispanic 11 15 13 16 9 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 -- <1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- <1 -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 5 6 8 5


GEORGIA Highlights

Georgia reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:


Georgia reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; and approve adoptive home.

A promising approach of interest: Georgia reports making significant strides in the early identification of

permanent placements for children. Foster parents adopt many children in Georgia. The state contracts with agencies to provide a child’s life history and foster-to-adoptive home conversion to facilitate timely adoptive placements.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Early use of permanent homes Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Practice, use of foster-adopt

homes Establish/change goal X Appropriate goals not established

in timely manner, stable cases not given adequate attention

X Implementation of online case plan

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Permanency issues not always adequately addressed

X Timely hearings

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Filing delays, lack of

documentation of compelling reasons

X Increase in TPRs, TPR provision within ASFA time frames



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of homes, difficulty recruiting minority families,

X Contracts with private agencies, developing statewide plan, media efforts, targeted recruitment, county recruitment accountability

Select adoptive home X Foster parents not provided information

X Many foster parent adoptions, cross-jurisdictional matching meetings, contract to provide life histories

Approve adoptive home X Insufficient ICPC resources, state reporting requirements differ, staff attitudes on interstate placement, arranging visits

X Contracts for assessments and placement supervision, contracts for out-of-state adoptions, work with South Carolina for placements



Adoptive Placement


X Contracts for services, training for workers on child preparation

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Development of contracts for community-based services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Staff turnover, high caseloads X Created Office of Adoption, process streamlined, training

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Overbooked calendars, routine

continuances, crowded dockets Courts

Resources X Added one juvenile court judge in each circuit

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 5 4 3 3 -- 1-5 years 27 31 32 32 -- 6-10 years 36 35 33 32 -- 11-15 years 27 26 29 28 -- 16+ 4 4 4 4 -- Unknown 1 -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 59 60 60 45 -- White 31 31 32 34 -- Hispanic 5 3 3 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 0 -- 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 5 5 4 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 1,129 1,080 899 50,000 934 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 23 18 19 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 39 35 30 48 35 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 69 51 88 74 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 2 1 <1 2 1 1-5 years 44 39 45 46 44 6-10 years 38 41 36 34 34 11-15 years 14 17 17 16 18 16+ 2 3 2 2 3 Unknown -- -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 55 56 48 35 50 White 42 36 37 38 38 Hispanic 2 2 6 16 5 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 2 6 9 8 7


HAWAII Highlights

Hawaii reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Hawaii reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and hold hearing.

A promising approach of interest: Hawaii implemented court orders that include language to require parents

to provide medical, prenatal and birth information about the child when the child is taken into custody. This information can be essential to securing adoptions later.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Parents must share medical and

birth information when child is taken into custody

Entry

Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Inconsistency in use and

definitions X Concurrent planning required

Establish/change goal X Not always appropriate or timely

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays in court processing,

delays in assessing and receiving services, parents need more time for treatment

X Timely filings and reasons appropriate



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of Hawaiian homes, contracted recruiter not focused on viable placements

X Adoption Connection does some recruitment, use of exchange

Select adoptive home X Too many children placed in non-Hawaiian homes on mainland, out-of-state considered before cross-jurisdictional placements, loss of culture for children

Approve adoptive home X ICPC delays due to home studies X Contracts for private home studies, training provided by Adoption Connection, dual licensing, no new training for foster parents to adopt



Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Training not always accessible, case transfer delays

X Training provided, streamlining adoption process with courts, effective decision-making model

Child Welfare

Resources X Worker turnover Case management X Crowded dockets, continuances Courts Resources

Indicators

*These data are missing the percentage of children who are Native Hawaiian because these data were not reported. As a result, these race/ethnicity percentages may not add up to 100 percent.

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001


CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED Total number 1,161 1,207 1,160 126,000 847 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 6 8 8 3 -- 1-5 years 35 32 33 32 -- 6-10 years 30 29 27 32 -- 11-15 years 21 24 25 28 -- 16+ 8 7 8 4 -- Unknown <1 <1 1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 3 3 3 45 -- White 11 10 8 34 -- Hispanic 3 3 2 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 2 2 1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 72 20* 20* <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 9 20 29 6 --


Under 1 year 4 4 5 2 5 1-5 years 58 53 54 46 57 6-10 years 32 36 27 34 26 11-15 years 7 7 12 16 11 16+ -- <1 1 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 4 2 2 35 2 White 13 13 9 38 7 Hispanic 1 1 3 16 2 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 1 3 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 80 18 * 21 * 1 51 Unknown/two or more races <1 4 17 8 37


IDAHO Highlights

Idaho reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR

proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Idaho reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Idaho’s Supreme Court Committee to Reduce Delays for Children in

Foster Care and the child welfare agency created a partnership to expedite permanency for children. Together they amended Idaho’s Child Protective Act to incorporate additional ASFA requirements into law; provide training on permanency for medical, judicial and social service personnel; and produce an electronic bench guide to guide the hearing process.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – May 12, 2003

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not implemented consistently X Court training Establish/change goal X Courts delay changing goal, focus

on parent’s rights, reunification goal maintained for too long

X Committee reviews of permanency planning

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Reluctance to pursue TPR,

particularly for older children; parents given too much time

X Internal reviews of all proposed TPRs, reduced wait time for filing



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Lack homes for older children, courts discourage recruitment before TPR

X Targeted recruitment, award-winning Wednesday’s Child program

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home X Insufficient training, waiting lists

for home studies



X Accessing services is problematic, lack of transportation, tribes have trouble accessing state services

X Services now at regional offices

Adoptive Placement


X Older children sometimes refuse adoption, children unprepared, workers lack knowledge on preparing for adoption, lack of services for older youth

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Beginning statewide foster and adoptive parent coalition, working to improve regional capacity to provide services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X High caseloads, lack of training on adoption, delays in completing paperwork, incomplete paperwork

X Planning specialized adoption training, decentralized adoption services, partnership with court

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Inconsistency among judges and

decisions, continuances X Supreme Court committee to

reduce delays, electronic bench guide, permanency training

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 3.4 -- -- 3.7 Children in foster care on September 30 959 1,015 1,114 542,000 1,246 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 13 378 242 65,000 --


Under 1 year 1 5 <1 3 -- 1-5 years 38 33 23 32 -- 6-10 years 37 30 33 32 -- 11-15 years 21 29 33 28 -- 16+ 2 4 9 4 -- Unknown -- <1 1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 1 3 2 45 -- White 56 76 79 34 -- Hispanic 34 9 11 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 7 11 9 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 2 -- -- 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 107 140 132 50,000 118 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 19 18 34 -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 71 47 66 48 54 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 73 79 88 78 Age (in percent)


Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 12 3 8 35 14 White 74 61 62 38 67 Hispanic 7 24 12 16 14 American Indian/Alaska Native 4 4 14 1 3 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 5 4 1 3 Unknown/two or more races 3 4 -- 8 0


ILLINOIS Highlights

Illinois reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR


Illinois reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Illinois has implemented a number of changes in its adoption process,

including changing the case responsibilities of adoption workers so that they can concentrate on adoption/guardianship assessment and decision-making functions. Project HEART (Helping to Ease Adoption Red Tape), a volunteer committee, has also aided the adoption effort through such accomplishments as reducing the time required to process fingerprints for prospective adoptive families and establishing two new courtrooms in Cook County to hear cases involving TPR.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – September 15, 2003 Note: Program Improvement Plan not available STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach

Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Delays in initial adjudication Initiate concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Prolonged pursuit of reunification,

parents given many chances to comply, goals outdated because only judge changes goals, use of long-term foster care

Permanency

Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings Diligent search X Need to locate parent earlier Conduct TPR proceedings X Inadequate case documentation,

right of incarcerated parent to be present, hesitation to TPR without home identified, lack of services to fathers

Provide legal services X Inconsistent provision for parents


Rights (TPR)


X Lack of homes, difficulty finding homes for special-needs children

X Targeted recruitment, media campaigns

Select adoptive home X Many foster care conversions, use of cross-jurisdictional homes

Approve adoptive home X ICPC delays X Expedited fingerprinting process, improved training programs



X Availability of subsidies

Adoptive Placement


X Counseling and legal services

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Need more orchestration and evaluation of services

X More families receiving adoption preservation services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Delays transferring cases from caseworker to adoption worker, caseworker turnover

X Restructured courts, private agencies, and child welfare; use of contracts

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Scheduling delays, continuances,

notice to parents not timely, lack of coordination between court divisions, attorney turnover

X Reforms to partnership with juvenile courts, state’s attorneys, and other parties; CIP implemented

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 77 75 73 45 -- White 16 18 20 34 -- Hispanic 5 5 5 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 2 2 2 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 80 77 77 35 72 White 15 16 17 38 20 Hispanic 4 5 5 16 5 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 0 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 2 2 8 2

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 100 100 59 100 Non-relative -- 0 0 17 0 Relative -- <1 0 23 <1 Step-parent -- 0 0 0 0

Note: Statewide Assessment not available.

INDIANA Highlights

Indiana reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management.

Indiana reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: hold hearings; recruit adoptive homes; approve adoptive homes, and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: Indiana has increased cross-state adoptions through the Indiana Adoption

Initiative Web page. The state also has a collaborative tri-state initiative with Ohio and Kentucky to recruit adoptive families for waiting children. Indiana reports a strong ICPC that helps facilitate successful placements across state lines.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – August 20, 2001 Note: Statewide Assessment not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Lack of early searches for fathers X Increased efforts to locate

relatives Entry

Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not implemented consistently, not

defined and formalized

Establish/change goal X Plans not reflective of goals, families not engaged in planning

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Backlogs X ASFA compliant, hearings more frequent than required, combined review with permanency hearing

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Law to file TPR regardless of

child’s best interests X Timely filings and hearings

Provide legal services X Attorney fees exceed funds X Increased legal services


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Delays with appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of diverse families to match kids in care

X Initiative to encourage cross-county recruitment, tri-state initiative with Ohio and Kentucky

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home X Delays with home studies, long

time between training and licensing, lack of disclosure of child’s needs, families choose private agencies

X Strong ICPC



X Services scarce in rural areas X Expanded use of subsidies and availability of Medicaid

Adoptive Placement


X Older children refuse adoption, mental health needs not met

Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Lack of communication, staff turnover

Child Welfare

Resources X Inexperienced workers Case management X Lack of communication, delays,

beliefs about timelines Courts

Resources X Added staff for hearings


2001 Nation 2002

Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 27.6 -- -- 39.3 Children in foster care on September 30 8,933 7,482 8,383 542,000 8,640 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 1,408 1,008 1,128 65,000 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black <1 48 46 45 -- White <1 47 49 34 -- Hispanic 100 3 3 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races -- 2 3 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 759 1,147 878 50,000 920 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 23 24 25 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 57 51 52 48 59 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 62 52 88 49 Age (in percent)


Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black -- 43 50 35 43 White <1 53 45 38 53 Hispanic 100 2 3 16 2 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- <1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- <1 -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races -- 2 2 8 2


IOWA Highlights

Iowa reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management.

Iowa reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: hold hearing; recruit adoptive home; and establish adoptive subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: Iowa contracts with the Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parents Association to provide post-adoption support for adoptive families, including support groups, respite care, and adoption helpers who contact families after adoption finalization to offer support.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Plans not always put into practice X Routinely used Establish/change goal X Goals not listed in child’s file,

parents not given enough services or sufficient time to work toward reunification

X Establishing appropriate goals, family team meetings, alternative dispute resolution

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings, dates set at end of hearings, tracking and alert system, judges focused on child welfare issues

Diligent search X Lengthy paternity searches Conduct TPR proceedings X Timelines exceed ASFA

requirements Provide legal services


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Prioritization of custody and placement of children cases


X No local recruitment, insufficient focus on targeted recruitment, lack of diverse homes, lack of timely registration on exchanges

X Efforts to find diverse families, recruitment project for special-needs children, use of exchanges and out-of-state agencies

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home X Home study backlog, ICPC

barriers and delays



X Financial and medical assistance for special-needs adoptions

Adoptive Placement


X Lack of effective transitional planning

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Contract with Iowa Foster and Adoptive Parent Group to provide support services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Delays in assigning workers, high caseloads, difficulty with adoption of older children with special needs

Child Welfare

Resources X Loss of permanency resources due to budget cuts

Case management X Continuances, crowded dockets, delayed hearings, lengthy decision making, varying views of permanency and TPR

X Mediation by CIP, prioritizing of cases involving placement, training, resource manual provided to judges

Courts

Resources X Lack of attorneys

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 19 18 14 45 -- White 64 64 66 34 -- Hispanic 6 5 6 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 4 3 3 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 7 10 10 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 18 20 21 35 19 White 64 66 63 38 66 Hispanic 5 6 6 16 7 American Indian/Alaska Native 3 3 3 1 2 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 -- 1 1 1 Unknown/two or more races 8 5 6 8 6


KANSAS Highlights

Kansas reported barriers in three of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; and child welfare case management.

Kansas reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Kansas uses a private contractor to provide specialized adoption services

for all children waiting for families. In addition to providing a full array of services, including recruiting and assessing prospective adoptive families and intensive pre- and post-adoption services, the contractor prepares the child for placement. The contractor also maintains a family database to facilitate the matching of children and families.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not occurring when case

warrants

Establish/change goal X Adoption goal made early

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X More hearings than required, developing tickler system

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X TPR occurring too quickly and

may be inappropriate, concern about creating legal orphans

X Timely filing of petitions, TPR achieved early



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy process taking up to 18 months

Recruit adoptive home X Shortage of homes for older and special-needs children, not engaged in targeted recruitment for children that present placement challenges, child welfare agency managers know little of recruitment activities

X Adoption exchanges, statewide recruitment effort, contract agencies exploring ways to target ethnic communities, cross-jurisdictional process eased by use of single contractor

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Subsidy amount cut back, Medicaid increasingly the only service authorized

X Availability of subsidies

Adoptive Placement


X Preparation services

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Contractor provides post-adoption services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Transition between contract agencies as goals change may impede process

X Contractor provides full array of adoption services and maintains a family database to facilitate matching

Child Welfare

Resources Case management Courts Resources

Indicators

* In 1999, the state miscoded contract agency adoptions as “private” adoptions, resulting in an under reporting of adoptions by 250 or more.

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 25.2 -- -- 15.9 Children in foster care on September 30 6,774 6,569 6,409 542,000 6,190 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 987 1,190 1,350 65,000 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 29 29 30 45 -- White 61 60 59 34 -- Hispanic 6 7 7 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 2 1 1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 3 3 3 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 566* 468 428 50,000 450 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 58 37 39 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 39 36 29 48 22 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 83 73 88 83 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year <1 -- -- 2 1 1-5 years 39 40 42 46 45 6-10 years 35 33 34 34 31 11-15 years 22 21 19 16 18 16+ 4 6 5 2 5 Unknown -- <1 -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 27 28 20 35 26 White 59 59 72 38 63 Hispanic 8 5 3 16 8 American Indian/Alaska Native 2 2 1 1 1 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 1 -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 4 5 5 8 2


KENTUCKY Highlights

Kentucky reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:


Kentucky reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: hold hearing; recruit adoptive home; approve adoptive home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: Kentucky uses Comprehensive Assessment and Training Services in

approving potential adoptive families. This program includes a comprehensive and multidimensional child and family assessment. In addition, Kentucky has developed adoption support networks and resource home mentors. Kentucky also provides adoption subsidies that are equal to foster care payments.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2001 – March 3, 2003 Note: Statewide Assessment not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Lack training and implementation X Used to expedite permanency Establish/change goal X Reluctance of some courts to

change goal from reunification or grant permanent custody to relatives

X Frequent use of goal of adoption for older children

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Not consistently timely, agency tracks hearing rather than the courts

X Agency goal to have frequent case review conferences

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Not timely, judicial reluctance to

grant TPR



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of diverse homes; lack of homes for teenagers, sibling groups, medically fragile children and African-American youths

X Planning to address diversity, special-needs program does targeted recruitment and promotes cross-jurisdictional placements, use of media and outreach, neighborhood-based recruitment model

Select adoptive home X Change in caseworkers' attitudes toward foster parent adoption, use of cross-jurisdictional homes

Approve adoptive home X Use of comprehensive assessment and training services



X Adoption subsidies equal to foster care payments, tuition waiver for adopted children

Adoptive Placement


X Support networks, mentors, tuition waiver bill for foster children who are adopted

Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Staff turnover Child Welfare Resources

Case management X Crowded court dockets, delays in scheduling

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 29 24 22 45 -- White 65 68 71 34 -- Hispanic <1 1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 7 7 6 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 28 36 34 35 30 White 59 58 59 38 65 Hispanic -- 2 3 16 3 American Indian/Alaska Native -- <1 -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 1 <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 13 3 4 8 1

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 58 73 59 69 Non-relative -- 42 24 17 31 Relative -- 1 <1 23 <1 Step-parent -- <1 0 0 0

LOUISIANA Highlights

Louisiana reported barriers in three of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; and child welfare case management.

Louisiana reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Louisiana’s CFSR determined that permanency hearings are timely and

productive. Stakeholders attribute this success to having a person who serves as a liaison between the child welfare agency and the court, using court staff to search for absent parents, and adopting the Bench Book developed by the Court Improvement Program to guide the hearing.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – September 8, 2003 Note: Program Improvement Plan not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Delays in adjudication Initiate concurrent planning X Required and effective Establish/change goal X Goals reviewed regularly by court

and agency

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings, courts must report continuances, adopted CIP Bench Book on hearings

Diligent search X Court staff search for absent parents

Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays due to lack of sufficient services for parents or inability to establish reasonable efforts

X More TPRs occurring, TPRs done in accordance with ASFA



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of homes for older children and those with many needs

X Diverse pool of homes, regional and state plans, use of exchanges

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional and out-of-state homes

Approve adoptive home X Efficient use of ICPC, use of contracts for home studies


X Time between TPR and adoption finalization lengthy


X Delays in approving subsidy, subsidy is less than foster care rate, heirship law discourages adoption, lack of services

X Subsidy provided

Adoptive Placement


X Services for families, preparation for children

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Services provided, resource centers throughout state

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Delays in processing documentation

X Liaison between court and agency, initiative helped reduce backlog

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X CIP, training for judges, rules and

forms developed, compliance reports required, liaison between court and agency

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 1 1 1 3 -- 1-5 years 28 27 25 32 -- 6-10 years 39 36 34 32 -- 11-15 years 29 32 33 28 -- 16+ 2 4 6 4 -- Unknown -- -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 63 60 59 45 -- White 36 37 38 34 -- Hispanic 1 1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 2 2 6 --


Under 1 year 1 1 <1 2 1 1-5 years 37 35 38 46 41 6-10 years 45 41 41 34 37 11-15 years 15 22 17 16 18 16+ 2 2 3 2 3 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 64 60 58 35 58 White 34 37 39 38 46 Hispanic <1 1 <1 16 1 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 <1 1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 2 2 8 2


MAINE Highlights

Maine reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Maine reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Maine’s Adoption Guides project seeks to increase the number of special-

needs adoptions, decrease the average length of time in foster care, decrease the incidence of adoption disruptions, and enhance adoptive family functioning. Adoption Guides social workers provide educational and more general forms of support to families.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002- July 25, 2003 Note: Program Improvement Plan not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not implemented consistently Establish/change goal X Use of long-term foster care as a

permanency goal, extension of reunification goal, adoption for youth not pursued, therapeutic providers promote long-term foster care to maintain payments

Permanency

Planning

Hold hearing Diligent search X Lack searches for absent parents Conduct TPR proceedings X Lack of policies to promote open

adoption, TPR hearings not prioritized, compelling reasons not documented, lack of services prevents filing for TPR, some judges not willing to TPR



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy appeals cause delays Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of homes for special needs children

X Effective general recruitment, numerous efforts in place, Cross Agency Collaborative in place

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X Delays completing home studies X Effective ICPC, service contracts

with other states Conduct proceedings for adoption

X Significant delays after TPR


X Adoption subsidies cut, lack of services, needs not addressed

X Program that supplements subsidies

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Program to provide services for special-needs adoptions

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Insufficient training, paperwork delays, beliefs on adoption and permanency, staff turnover

X Maine Adoption Guides demonstration project to aid adoptions, adoption tracking tool

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of staff for recruiting Case management X Crowded dockets, waiting lists X Committee of the Courts, training

provided, resource materials for attorneys, court forms developed

Courts

Resources X Increased resources, new wired chambers for children

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001


CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED Total number 1,098 1,101 1,008 126,000 984 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 3 4 3 3 -- 1-5 years 34 32 30 32 -- 6-10 years 43 38 36 32 -- 11-15 years 18 23 28 28 -- 16+ 2 2 2 4 -- Unknown -- <1 1 -- --



Under 1 year 1 <1 3 2 0 1-5 years 37 46 46 46 46 6-10 years 48 40 34 34 32 11-15 years 13 14 15 16 21 16+ 2 1 3 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 2 2 3 35 1 White 92 91 87 38 77 Hispanic 1 1 1 16 2 American Indian/Alaska Native 5 2 1 1 3 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- 1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 4 9 8 16

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 1 0 59 <1 Non-relative -- 90 95 17 85 Relative -- 10 6 23 15 Step-parent -- 0 0 0 0

MARYLAND Highlights

Maryland reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; and establish/change goal.

Maryland reported promising approaches in two of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home and approve adoptive home.

A promising approach of interest: each local child welfare department has a comprehensive recruitment plan to actively recruit a diverse group of prospective adoptive parents on an ongoing basis. Recruitment plans include, but are not limited to, specific strategies to reach all parts of the community, strategies for training staff to work with diverse communities, and procedures for the timely search for prospective adoptive parents for a waiting child.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: Not Available Note: Statewide Assessment and Program Improvement Plan not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Exists in form not function Establish/change goal X Delays in establishing goals, goal

of reunification kept too long by courts, no tracking system to monitor cases, long-term foster care goals used too often

Permanency

Planning

Hold hearing X Delays in holding hearings, attorney requests, workers unprepared

Diligent search X Efforts to locate absent parents, paternity tests funded by CIP

Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays filing TPRs, scheduling delays, not using provision to waive “reasonable efforts”

X Mediation process implemented by CIP, TPR coordinator employed by CIP

Provide legal services X Waiting lists for parents


Rights (TPR)


X Reluctant to recruit until after TPR, lack of homes for children with special needs, out-of-state families not actively recruited

X Comprehensive plan for recruiting diverse families

Select adoptive home X Lack of use of out-of-state homes, particularly D.C.

Approve adoptive home X Dual licensing not consistent, ICPC delays

X Dual licensing helpful, use of ICPC


X Delays in completing paperwork for finalization


Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case management Child Welfare Resources X Recruitment and use of out-of-

state resources impacted by financial restraints

Case management X Continuances granted, pro-reunification philosophy

X Staff to assist in case management hired by CIP

Courts

Resources X Lack of sufficient personnel

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 79 80 81 45 -- White 19 18 17 34 -- Hispanic 1 1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 - 0 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 -- <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 1 1 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 72 68 73 35 73 White 27 27 22 38 23 Hispanic <1 2 2 16 1 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 1 <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 2 3 8 2

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 61 55 59 51 Non-relative -- 6 4 17 3 Relative -- 33 41 23 46 Step-parent -- 0 <1 0 <1

MASSACHUSETTS Highlights

Massachusetts reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; court case management; and child welfare case management.

Massachusetts reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches

most commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; and approve adoptive home.

A promising approach of interest: Massachusetts has made several efforts around matching children with

adoptive families. Monthly regional meetings are held to review all the children not in pre-adoptive homes and all the families awaiting children. Quarterly matching meetings are held around the state to give prospective adoptive families a chance to meet waiting children. The agency initiated an aggressive matching protocol to ensure that those children with a goal of adoption are matched with an appropriate family as soon as possible. For example, to provide more supports to waiting families, regional staff members engage these families with regular contact and information.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 - July 23, 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Long time to adjudication Initiate concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Lack of clarity in changing goals

for children in residential facilities

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Reports to prepare for hearings not distributed, hearings not viewed as effective

X Timely hearings

Diligent search X Delays in locating absent parents Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays in getting documentation,

debate around how much time to give parents

X Effective process for filing TPRs

Provide legal services X Lack of attorneys for parents and children, attorneys not visiting children


Rights (TPR)


X Use of exchanges, aggressive statewide campaign, looking at non-traditional families as homes

Select adoptive home X Matching protocol, case meetings to select matches

Approve adoptive home X ICPC delays with home studies and paperwork, difficulty negotiating subsidies with ICPC

X Increased funding for out-of-state home studies, protocols developed to eliminate barriers



Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Difficulty accessing services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Paperwork delays, attorneys not visiting child clients

X Meetings to address systemic barriers

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Continuances X Committees to address court

barriers to adoption Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 20 16 14 45 -- White 44 45 42 34 -- Hispanic 25 25 26 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 2 2 2 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 9 12 16 6 --


Under 1 year <1 1 1 2 1 1-5 years 45 48 49 46 49 6-10 years 42 37 33 34 33 11-15 years 13 13 16 16 16 16+ 1 1 1 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 24 22 17 35 15 White 52 50 52 38 50 Hispanic 21 20 23 16 25 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 1 1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 2 2 1 1 Unknown/two or more races 3 6 6 8 8


MICHIGAN Highlights

Michigan reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR

proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management. Michigan reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Michigan attributes success with its adoption services to fostering a unique

partnership between public and private agencies. Michigan has put in place a variety of contracts to find placements, provide post-adoption services, and address the backlog of children waiting for adoption. The state also has contracts with tribes for adoption services for Native American children and contracts with out-of-state providers to provide placement services.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not well understood or used, lack

of formal policy on planning

Establish/change goal X Timely and appropriate goals

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings not held consistently, do not always adequately address permanency issues

X CASA program, court case tracking system

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Concerns about creating legal

orphans, TPR delays, judges lack consistency around TPR

X Timely filings, decision to file made at permanency hearing, time frames exceed ASFA, attorneys assist workers on TPR



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Frequent and lengthy appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Need more targeted recruitment, lack of diverse homes, lack of homes for teens and children with special needs

X Contracts with private agency for recruitment, use of exchanges, various media recruitment, targeted recruitment efforts, development of locality homes

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X Requirements are a barrier for

some families, ICPC process slow

X Contracts for the provision of training, contracts with out-of-state providers for placement services



X Difficulty obtaining subsidy approval

X Financial support and medical subsidies available for children with special needs

Adoptive Placement


X Mentoring system in place

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Published service directory, service provision contracts

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X High caseloads X Case reviews addressing barriers to adoption for individual children, partnerships with private agencies and tribes, changes to documentation process

Child Welfare

Resources X Redistributed adoption staff to other areas, lack of needed staff

X Planning to increase adoption staff allocations

Case management X Continuances, crowded dockets X CIP, pilot mediation program Courts Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black -- -- 4 45 -- White -- -- 4 34 -- Hispanic -- -- <1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 100 100 91 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 52 50 49 35 43 White 42 41 40 38 46 Hispanic 4 4 4 16 4 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 1 1 1 1 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 5 6 8 5


MINNESOTA Highlights

Minnesota reported barriers in one of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings.

Minnesota reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Minnesota’s Public/Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI) allows the agency to

contract with licensed adoption agencies to assist with the adoption of children in state guardianship. Based on children’s needs, the public agencies may request services from a menu of exclusive services provided by the private agency, including family and child preparation, placement support, development of placement plan along with completing home studies, training, and finalization services. The private agencies are also responsible for finding homes for the children in care, particularly hard-to-place children.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Continued application Establish/change goal

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Parents given more time to

resolve issues, hesitation to TPR without adoptive home identified

X Open adoptions encouraged, awareness and respect for tribal traditions and Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA)



Rights (TPR)


X Use of newspapers, television, brochures and Web sites; Public/Private Adoption Initiative (PPAI) to find homes for children

Select adoptive home X Seeking foster parents and relatives, use of cross-jurisdictional homes

Approve adoptive home X Adoption study using elements of foster care licensing study, some counties paying a private agency in receiving state to conduct home study if ICPC process is long



X Subsidy lower than foster care subsidy

X Adoption assistance for extra expenses for special-needs child

Adoptive Placement


X Program that employs adoptive parents to develop supports for other adoptive families

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Use of “parent liaisons”

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Training, permanence task force Child Welfare Resources X $3 million per fiscal year

allocated to fund PPAI Case management X Experienced public defenders,

county attorneys and GALs typically stay with case

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001






Under 1 year 2 2 2 2 3 1-5 years 40 41 48 46 46 6-10 years 42 39 33 34 31 11-15 years 16 18 16 16 19 16+ 1 <1 1 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 33 29 22 35 22 White 46 48 54 38 54 Hispanic 4 4 7 16 9 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 17 18 16 8 15

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 32 32 59 28 Non-relative -- 44 41 17 48 Relative -- 25 26 23 25 Step-parent -- <1 <1 0 <1

MISSISSIPPI Highlights

Mississippi reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Mississippi reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Mississippi began a pilot project, the ASAP project, with Southern

Christian Services in two regions to develop a replicable model to establish trained and competent therapists to handle post-adoption issues for families supervised by the agency. A Crisis Intervention Team is included in these services. The ASAP program offers pre- and post-adoption services statewide and helps families with problem behaviors like ADHD.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2002 – February 9, 2004

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not consistently implemented X Required by state Establish/change goal X Goal not always given, goal of

reunification maintained too long

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Not always timely, SACWIS data not entered to allow for tracking, different court structures hinder uniform planning

X Automated ticklers alert staff to due dates

Diligent search X Need to search earlier Conduct TPR proceedings X Reluctance to TPR in kin cases or

if parent is involved



Rights (TPR)


X No process to ensure recruitment to reflect ethnic and racial diversity, regions do their own recruitment plans, no system to track or evaluate, Vietnamese and Hispanic placements needed

X Homes found by placement committee across jurisdictional boundaries; approved parents interact with available children through television, radio, Web sites and picnics

Select adoptive home X Evaluating more relative and foster homes for adoption

Approve adoptive home Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Subsidy is helpful

Adoptive Placement


X Pre- and post-adoption therapeutic services, help with access to mental health services

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X See prepare/transition child and family above

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Training needed, large caseloads X Committee to review cases and help expedite permanency

Child Welfare

Resources X Staff shortages Case management X Training needed; delays with

paperwork, serving parties and appointing legal counsel; large backlog; scheduling difficulties

Courts

Resources X Lack of administrative resources, lack of legal counsel

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 69 69 64 45 -- White 31 31 36 34 -- Hispanic <1 -- <1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races <1 -- -- 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 237 288 266 50,000 216 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 9 18 17 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 52 54 54 48 62 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) ---- 89 82 88 65 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 1 1 -- 2 0 1-5 years 33 33 42 46 37 6-10 years 47 43 37 34 33 11-15 years 19 18 19 16 24 16+ 1 4 3 2 6 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 49 55 63 35 51 White 49 44 37 38 46 Hispanic -- <1 -- 16 2 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 2 -- <1 1 1 Unknown/two or more races <1 -- -- 8 0

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 74 65 59 -- Non-relative -- 26 30 17 -- Relative -- <1 1 23 -- Step-parent -- 0 4 0 --

MISSOURI Highlights

Missouri reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR


Missouri reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and approve adoptive home.

A promising approach of interest: in 1999, Missouri created the statewide Second Level Matching Team (SLM), which brings representatives from around the state together to find homes for children in need through preliminarily matching of waiting children and waiting families from across Missouri and other states. The intent of the SLM team was to erase geographical barriers to permanency by working collaboratively and to update adoptive family records across the state. However, as the SLM team has progressed, team members have begun to address general adoption issues faced by local staff and are helping to define best adoption practice across the state.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2002 – December 8, 2003

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not occurring Establish/change goal X Reluctance to make goal

adoption, focused on reunification

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Lack of process to track, hearings may be "paper" reviews

Diligent search X Search for fathers delayed Conduct TPR proceedings X Filings not timely, often need

adoptive family identified, judicial hesitancy if insufficient services

Provide legal services X Lack of legal services for parents


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Appeals court mandated by statute hears TPR appeals quickly


X Lack of homes for older and special-needs children, no statewide recruitment plan, recruitment not conducted all year due to limited funds

X Contracts to recruit for special-needs children, partnering with an adoption exchange to recruit for minority children, team finding homes throughout state

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X Multiple steps and delays in ICPC

processing impact timeliness X Extensive and specialized

training for adoptive parents Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Subsidies lower than foster care subsidy, delays in finalization of subsidies across jurisdictions

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Post-adoption services no longer available due to budget cuts

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Belief that special-needs children not adoptable, worker turnover, poor communication and role clarity with court

X Data sharing with courts to track hearings, planning TPR review tool, protocol to access legal resources

Child Welfare

Resources X Resources issues due to budget cuts; staff shortages

X Grant for recruitment and training, seeking additional resources for legal representation

Case management X Lack of communication and role clarity with agency, judicial bias for reunification

X Court's Bench Book of best practices improved judiciary focus on permanency planning

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 43 47 45 45 -- White 55 51 53 34 -- Hispanic 1 1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races <1 1 <1 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 849 1,265 1,102 50,000 1,542 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 24 25 29 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 60 68 66 48 71 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 93 96 88 95 Age (in percent)


Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 40 39 39 35 37 White 58 58 59 38 60 Hispanic 1 1 2 16 2 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 1 <1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races <1 1 <1 8 0


MONTANA Highlights

Montana reported barriers in one of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: recruit

adoptive home. Montana reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Montana created information system reports to aid in moving children to

permanency. One report lists children in care 12 or more of the last 22 months. This report is sent monthly to each judicial district and local child welfare office. The report helps both the court and the social worker know which children are approaching the time to petition for termination of parental rights. Reports listing children whose parents have had their rights terminated and children for whom an exception has been documented were also created.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Lack of families to take

concurrent placements X Consistently implemented

Establish/change goal X Family group decision making

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Inconsistency in timely hearings, courts and attorneys not sold on purpose of hearings, only held if TPR is planned, continuances

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Monthly TPR notification reports

sent, timely TPR filings Provide legal services


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Numerous and lengthy appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Few homes for older and special-needs children, need more Native American homes

X Various recruitment strategies, circulate child’s social histories around state, use of exchanges

Select adoptive home X Part of Interstate Coalition to share information

Approve adoptive home X Training may not prepare families adequately and not provided consistently, workloads cause assessment delays

X New training curriculum, contracts to provide services in other states, specialized training, contracts for home studies



X Certain funds for foster children not available after adoption, subsidy rates are lower than foster care rates

X Subsides for hard-to-place children

Adoptive Placement


X Transition plan developed and implemented for each child

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Lack of services, services for foster children not available after adoption, high rate of disruptions

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Permanency planning teams in place, efforts to create a Native American adoption agency

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of staff X Regional Permanency Specialists Case management X Child Protection Unit works with

courts to finalize adoptions Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001







Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 1 <1 4 35 2 White 73 72 67 38 71 Hispanic 2 7 7 16 8 American Indian/Alaska Native 19 14 22 1 18 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 <1 -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 4 6 -- 8 0


NEBRASKA Highlights

Nebraska reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:


Nebraska reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: hold hearing; approve adoptive home; establish adoption subsidy/services; and child welfare case management.

A promising approach of interest: the Collaborations Between Child Welfare Agencies and Court Systems to

Facilitate Timely Permanency project aims to improve collaborations between child welfare agencies and court systems to facilitate timely adoptions. It consists of collaborative work groups in three urban counties, which include all juvenile judges, child protection personnel, attorneys, and Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) representatives. It also consists of implementation and evaluation of Permanency Planning Family Group Conferences for children who will not be reunified with their parents.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 2001- July 2002

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Tendency to establish

guardianship rather than adoption as a case goal, goals not routinely reassessed for appropriateness

Permanency

Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings inconsistent due to continuances

X Timely hearings held

Diligent search X Lack of paternity identification Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays in filing for TPR,

unwillingness to consider open adoptions, hesitancy to pursue TPR, tribal preferences

X Permanency promoted by mediation



Rights (TPR)


X Not effectively utilizing targeted recruitment strategies, use of registries lacking

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home X Delays in conducting home

studies, lack of thorough training for potential adoptive families, lengthy ICPC process

X Contracts for home studies


X Delays in obtaining finalization


X Many children eligible for subsidies and services

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Post-adoption services are lacking

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Poor casework practice, specialized adoption workers need additional adoption training

X Coordination with courts, some counties have contracts with private agencies for the provision of various services

Child Welfare

Resources X Data system issues Case management X Continuances frequently granted X CIP, collaboration with agency Courts Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 4 4 2 3 -- 1-5 years 39 35 33 32 -- 6-10 years 35 37 39 32 -- 11-15 years 19 21 22 28 -- 16+ 3 2 4 4 -- Unknown <1 2 1 -- --



Under 1 year 1 -- 1 2 1 1-5 years 43 42 43 46 49 6-10 years 41 41 34 34 35 11-15 years 13 16 19 16 14 16+ 2 2 3 2 2 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 19 22 16 35 15 White 70 68 69 38 69 Hispanic 7 4 8 16 9 American Indian/Alaska Native 2 4 5 1 5 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 2 2 8 2


NEVADA Highlights

Nevada reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Nevada reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches most commonly

occur: recruit adoptive home; approve adoptive home; and hold hearing. A promising approach of interest: Nevada developed an Adoption Buddy System to recruit families, help families

through the adoption process, and provide support after the adoption. Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2002 – February 23, 2004 Note: Statewide Assessment and Program Improvement Plan not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Use of foster-adopt homes for

children with likely goal of adoption

Entry

Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not well understood, focus is

linear

Establish/change goal X Older children (14+) must consent to adoption goal before changed, slow goal change

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Inadequate information in case plans

X Timely hearings, scheduling improvements

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays in filing, reluctance to

seek TPR without adoptive home

Provide legal services X Lack of representation for parties


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Expedited and timely appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of Spanish-speaking and Hispanic homes, lack of homes for therapeutic and older youth

X Materials translated into Spanish, use of exchanges and media

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X ICPC barriers, other states

refusing to provide services or will not do “free” case management

X Spanish-speaking trainers, service agreements in other states



Adoptive Placement


X Not working toward adoption with older children, lack of policies to prepare children

X Support provided by Adoption Buddy System

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Support provided by Adoption Buddy System

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Slow paperwork Child Welfare Resources

Case management X No uniform court tracking system, coordination of calendars,

Courts

Resources X Shortage of attorneys

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 4.0 -- -- 7.0 Children in foster care on September 30 -- 1,615 2,959 542,000 3,018 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated -- 67 131 65,000 --

CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED Total number -- -- 593 126,000 536 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year -- -- 2 3 -- 1-5 years -- -- 30 32 -- 6-10 years -- -- 33 32 -- 11-15 years -- -- 27 28 -- 16+ -- -- 7 4 -- Unknown -- -- 2 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black -- -- 25 45 -- White -- -- 57 34 -- Hispanic -- -- 7 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- 1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- 2 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races -- -- 9 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 123 231 243 50,000 251 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) -- -- 21 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 33 28 28 48 36 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 83 95 88 96 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 3 3 1 2 1 1-5 years 56 60 61 46 48 6-10 years 28 26 26 34 34 11-15 years 13 10 12 16 16 16+ -- 2 1 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 17 23 23 35 26 White 75 60 62 38 56 Hispanic 7 13 12 16 9 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 1 1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 1 2 1 3 Unknown/two or more races 1 2 -- 8 5


NEW HAMPSHIRE Highlights

New Hampshire reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:

conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; and establish/change goal. New Hampshire reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches

most commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and approve adoptive home.

A promising approach of interest: New Hampshire made efforts to improve training for adoptive parents. The adoption training was adapted to offer a more comprehensive curriculum. The state implemented a course called Making the Transition from Fostering to Adoption for foster parents considering adoption. Distance learning courses were added to give caregivers flexibility in scheduling courses around family and work obligations.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Lack of birth family social studies Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Delays in adjudication hearings Initiate concurrent planning X Implemented and effective Establish/change goal X Appropriate goals not timely,

delays in service provision

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Often become full evidentiary hearings, judges reluctant to finalize permanent plans

Diligent search X Lack of search for absent parents Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays in initiating TPR process,

refusal to TPR without adoptive home, parents given extra time, lengthy trials, high standards of “beyond reasonable doubt”



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy and numerous appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Language and ethnicity barriers in recruitment, no recruitment until TPR

X Community partners, targeted recruitment, statewide and out-of-state efforts, use of exchanges

Select adoptive home X Collaborative effort to share homes with private agencies

Approve adoptive home X Distance learning courses, no additional home study needed for foster parent adoptions, new training curriculum for adoptive parents, ICPC manual for courts



Adoptive Placement


X Services provided, transition to adoption course offered

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Collaborating with private agency to provide services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Permanency team reviewing cases, central adoption program, working with court, case sharing

Child Welfare

Resources X Staffing shortages X Plan to hire staff Case management X Crowded dockets, some probate

courts part time, continuances, attorney conflicts, ASFA viewed as non-applicable to court, attorney turnover, lack of attorney preparation

X CIP protocols, training for judges, collaboration with agency to improve permanency timelines

Courts

Resources X Lack of judges and attorneys

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 5 2 2 3 -- 1-5 years 45 39 32 32 -- 6-10 years 40 42 39 32 -- 11-15 years 10 16 24 28 -- 16+ 1 1 3 4 -- Unknown -- <1 -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 2 1 1 45 -- White 89 87 86 34 -- Hispanic 3 5 7 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 1 1 1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 5 6 5 6 --


Under 1 year -- 1 -- 2 2 1-5 years 48 44 47 46 33 6-10 years 40 45 40 34 37 11-15 years 10 8 12 16 26 16+ 2 1 1 2 2 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black -- 2 3 35 1 White 87 86 88 38 90 Hispanic 7 8 5 16 1 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 3 1 1 1 Unknown/two or more races 6 1 2 8 6


NEW JERSEY Highlights

New Jersey reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:


New Jersey reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: New Jersey implemented the Fost-Adopt program statewide in January

2000. The program was designed to identify children for whom reunification is not likely to occur. The program implements concurrent planning at the time of the foster placement. The Fost-Adopt parents agree to provide foster care with a commitment to adopt should that become the child’s goal.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2002 – March 22, 2004 Note: Program Improvement Plan not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Lack of early search for fathers Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X No formal planning, lack of clarity X Fost-Adopt program in place Establish/change goal X Not established in timely manner,

goal of reunification held too long, X Revisiting goals for older children

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Not timely, families lack input X Planning training for staff on working with families

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays filing and scheduling

TPRs, reluctance to grant without adoptive home, open adoptions not promoted, parent evaluations delayed, lack of reasonable effort

Provide legal services X Lack of attorneys


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy and numerous appeals, no deadlines for decisions


X Lack of homes for children with behavioral issues, lack of agency responsiveness to inquiries

X Efforts to find homes for longest-waiting children, targeted recruitment

Select adoptive home X Lack of support for relatives who want to adopt, available kids not wanted by approved families

Approve adoptive home X Child maltreatment in potential adoptive homes, ICPC barriers

X Foster parents given preference, funding families to visit New Jersey kids



X Lack of medical insurance X Adoption subsidy available

Adoptive Placement


X Barriers to accessing services, lack of pre-adoptive services

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Services not available statewide X Services and supports provided

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Language barriers, large caseloads, incomplete paperwork, case transfer delays, worker turnover

X Restructuring to one worker/one family model, permanency training, cooperation with court technical assistance provided by permanency units

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of staff X Planning for adoption specialist in each office

Case management X Crowded dockets, judges do not adhere to ASFA, continuances

X Education for judges on ASFA, cooperation with agency

Courts

Resources X Lack of attorneys

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 71 69 68 45 -- White 18 18 18 34 -- Hispanic 8 7 7 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 1 1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 3 5 6 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 732 832 1,028 50,000 1,365 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 15 14 16 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 62 58 53 48 43 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 90 90 88 93 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 1 1 1 2 1 1-5 years 59 58 57 46 57 6-10 years 30 30 30 34 29 11-15 years 10 10 12 16 12 16+ <1 2 <1 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 65 66 66 35 65 White 22 22 21 38 21 Hispanic 9 7 7 16 7 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 1 1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 -- <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 3 5 6 8 7


NEW MEXICO Highlights

New Mexico reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct

TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; court case management; and establish/change goal.

New Mexico reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: New Mexico has developed successful public-private adoption initiatives.

The state contracted with a number of private agencies to recruit, train, study and provide supports to adoptive families. For example, to expedite home studies for adoptive and foster families, New Mexico contracts with licensed social workers to complete the assessments.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Working to allow children’s court

to finalize adoption as part of abuse/neglect proceedings

Initiate concurrent planning X Planning full implementation Establish/change goal X Inappropriate goals, all

stakeholders not involved X Goal of adoption set early

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely, consolidated hearings Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Parents given too much time X TPR timely, relinquishment

counseling offered Provide legal services X Lack of attorneys


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Large number of appeals Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of Native American homes, lack of homes for older and special-needs children, fewer homes for more kids with goal of adoption

X Contracts for recruitment, varied recruitment efforts, targeted recruitment, use of exchanges, bilingual materials, coordination with other states

Select adoptive home X Successful utilization of relative adoptions and keeping sibling groups together

Approve adoptive home X Lengthy ICPC process, time frames for home studies too long

X Contracts for training, licensed social workers contracted to do home studies, addressing ICPC issues


X Families must hire own attorney


X Low subsidy for therapeutic care cases, challenge negotiating subsidies, lack of attorneys

X Legislation to allow agency to negotiate higher subsidy rates, proposal to eliminate subsidy means tests

Adoptive Placement


X Contracts for support to families

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Services provided, including family preservation

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Staff turnover X Adoption Obstacle Removal Team to address barriers, training provided

Child Welfare

Resources X High vacancy rates X Taking steps to address staffing issues

Case management X Crowded dockets, high caseloads for attorneys, scheduling delays

X Consent decree affects permanency, training provided

Courts

Resources X Lack of attorneys, inadequate compensation for attorneys

X More funds for GALs

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 2 2 2 3 -- 1-5 years 32 31 29 32 -- 6-10 years 42 37 38 32 -- 11-15 years 23 29 30 28 -- 16+ 1 2 2 4 -- Unknown -- -- -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 9 8 9 45 -- White 26 28 25 34 -- Hispanic 59 56 57 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 6 6 7 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 2 3 6 --


Under 1 year 1 1 1 2 1 1-5 years 33 47 37 46 47 6-10 years 46 38 43 34 33 11-15 years 17 14 17 16 18 16+ 3 <1 3 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black -- 4 6 35 7 White 46 30 34 38 30 Hispanic 54 59 56 16 56 American Indian/Alaska Native -- 1 4 1 3 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 4 <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races -- 2 1 8 4


NEW YORK Highlights

New York reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

New York reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and approve adoptive home.

A promising approach of interest: New York tracks adoption through the Adoption Monitoring System (AMS), which enables agencies to monitor the progress of each child who has a goal of adoption from the date the goal is set to the finalization of the adoption. State agency adoption staff provides training and technical assistance on the utilization of AMS.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Disposition often delayed months Initiate concurrent planning X Working to implement Establish/change goal X Delays in decision making

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Not timely, may take place before fact finding hearing

Diligent search X Need to search for birth parents sooner and discuss voluntary surrenders

X Implementing strategies to locate birth fathers and involve them

Conduct TPR proceedings X Meeting standards for timeliness not facilitated by laws and regulations, termination for siblings with different fathers takes time, lack of documentation



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Process takes significant time Recruit adoptive home X Lack of adoptive families X Outreach, media, adoption fairs;

automated photo listing process; regional adoption specialists

Select adoptive home X Not sought early enough, potential homes need more information, kinship caregivers hesitant

X Many foster parents adopt

Approve adoptive home X Well-regarded training for adoptive parents, background check process improved


X Court procedures take too long


X Services not as generous as they are for foster children

Adoptive Placement


X Some children not prepared, families need to know about child’s history and problems

X Services provided

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Need for more after care, better referrals and follow-up

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X High caseloads, paperwork, and staff turnover; workers do not know adoption options; resistance to older children adoptions; transferring cases to adoption cumbersome; need better coordination with courts

X Adoption Monitoring System allows for case tracking, contract to identify barriers to permanency, project to improve collaboration between court and child welfare systems, staff training

Child Welfare

Resources X Staffing shortages Case management X Litigious culture Courts Resources X Shortage of judges

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001






Under 1 year <1 <1 1 2 0 1-5 years 28 32 34 46 33 6-10 years 41 38 37 34 37 11-15 years 25 26 25 16 25 16+ 5 4 4 2 4 Unknown 0 -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 50 47 46 35 45 White 11 12 13 38 15 Hispanic 14 13 14 16 15 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 25 29 27 8 25

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- -- -- 59 -- Non-relative -- -- -- 17 -- Relative -- -- -- 23 -- Step-parent -- -- -- 0 --

NORTH CAROLINA Highlights

North Carolina reported barriers in 4 of the top 5 stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; and child welfare case management.

North Carolina reported promising approaches in 4 of the top 5 stages where strengths most commonly

occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; hold hearing; and establish adoption subsidy / services.

A strength of interest: North Carolina’s Special Children Adoption Incentive Fund provides incentives to

counties and private agencies to place special needs children. Money received from the fund must be used to enhance the adoption programs in the counties and in the private agencies. Agencies have used additional funding from the state for increased recruitment, specialized services to adoptive families and children, hiring more adoption workers, specific adoption training, and post-adoptive services.

Barriers & Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 1998 – March 26, 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approaches Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse / neglect Initiate concurrent planning Establish / change goal

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings timely, automated system provides timeline alerts

Diligent search X Locating and serving parents Conduct TPR proceedings X No state law for time from filing to

termination X Filing timely, case information

tracked Provide legal services X Services for parents needed


Rights (TPR)


X Not pursued until after TPR X Recruitment efforts; contracts for recruiting; use of exchanges, website, media

Select adoptive home X Staff work with cross-jurisdictional state agencies

Approve adoptive home Conduct proceedings for adoption

X Better communication between agency and courts

Adoption subsidy / establish services

X Additional services needed (i.e. college tuition)

X Subsidy increased, special adoption fund to aid special needs adoptions

Adoptive Placement

Prepare / transition child and family

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Services needed

AGENCY FACTORS

Case Management X Belief that adoption difficult for older children

X Designation and training of adoption staff, caseworker continuity, contracts, permanency review committees, agency initiatives

Child Welfare

Resources X Agency lacks counsel X Special adoption funds, have staff attorneys

Case Management X Belief that adoption difficult for older children, training for judges needed, continuances

X Judicial continuity, court improvement project, pilot mediation project, fewer continuances, GAL program

Courts

Resources X Limited time

Indicators

* In 2001, 884 children with a race of Asian/Pacific Islander/ Native Hawaiian were waiting to be adopted on September 30, 2001. This 0% reflects rounded estimates.

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 20.0 -- -- 30.6 Children in foster care on September 30 11,339 10,847 10,130 542,000 9,527 Children whose parental rights have been terminated 1,757 2,134 2,047 65,000 --



Race / Ethnicity (in percent) Black 54 54 52 45 -- White 39 37 39 34 -- Hispanic 6 6 5 12 -- American Indian / Alaska Native 1 2 2 2 -- Asian / Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 0* -- Unknown / Two or more races 1 1 2 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 949 1,337 1,327 50,000 1,324 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 26 28 30 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 57 53 57 48 62 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 93 93 88 98 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year 4 4 4 2 3 1-5 years 46 45 45 46 47 6-10 years 32 34 30 34 28 11-15 years 16 15 18 16 19 16+ 2 2 3 2 3 Unknown -- <1 1 -- 0

Race / ethnicity (in percent) Black 52 45 48 35 44 White 42 43 37 38 41 Hispanic 4 7 6 16 6 American Indian / Alaska Native 1 1 2 1 1 Asian / Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian 1 1 1 1 1 Unknown / Two or more races 1 4 7 8 7


NORTH DAKOTA Highlights

North Dakota reported barriers in 4 of the top 5 stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; and child welfare case management.

North Dakota reported promising approaches in 3 of the top 5 stages where strengths most commonly

occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and hold hearing. A strength of interest: North Dakota contracts with Lutheran Social services and the Village Family Service

Center to provide Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK), a program to provide special needs adoption services. This interagency collaborative is a model that provides high quality, nationally accredited services to children and families. The AASK staff meets monthly with CFS to plan for the program and review cases.

Barriers & Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 2000 – September 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse / neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Practiced when appropriate Establish / change goal X Timely and appropriate goals

established

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Holds hearings in timely manner, tracking system

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays in filing, delays also occur

when working with tribes, hesitancy to TPR

Provide legal services X Requests by parents


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Delays getting decisions Recruit adoptive home

X No targeted recruitment strategy for Native American families, local resistance to using internet and other forms of national recruitment

X Agency has contributed extra resources to enhance recruitment

Select adoptive home X Use cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home Conduct proceedings for adoption

Adoption subsidy / establish services

X Lack of available services and accessible services in rural areas

Adoptive Placement

Prepare / transition child and family

Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case Management X Caseload standards have caused a waiting list of children and families to be served

X Adoption caseload standards have been implemented, new Guardian Ad Litem program that focuses on permanency for children

Child Welfare

Resources X Contract needs more resources Case Management X Judges are not sufficiently trained

regarding permanency issues, district courts not accountable for timeliness, delays in scheduling

Courts

Resources X Fixed number of judges

Indicators

* In 2001, 884 children with a race of Asian/Pacific Islander/ Native Hawaiian were waiting to be adopted on September 30, 2001. This 0% reflects rounded estimates.

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 2.7 -- -- 4.6 Children in foster care on September 30 1,143 1,129 1,167 542,000 1,197 Children whose parental rights have been terminated 332 262 191 65,000 --


Under 1 year 22 15 14 3 -- 1-5 years 30 32 28 32 -- 6-10 years 26 22 25 32 -- 11-15 years 20 26 27 28 -- 16+ 1 4 6 4 -- Unknown 1 <1 1 -- --

Race / Ethnicity (in percent) Black 5 3 3 45 -- White 64 62 59 34 -- Hispanic 3 4 3 12 -- American Indian / Alaska Native 25 26 31 2 -- Asian / Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian 2 3 2 0* -- Unknown / Two or more races 1 2 2 6 --



Race / ethnicity (in percent) Black 5 4 5 35 6 White 73 79 66 38 66 Hispanic 7 5 4 16 7 American Indian / Alaska Native 14 10 23 1 9 Asian / Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian -- -- -- 1 0 Unknown / Two or more races -- 3 1 8 12


OHIO Highlights

Ohio reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; recruit adoptive home; court case management; and child welfare case management.

Ohio reported promising approaches in two of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: Ohio implemented the Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) program in 1992. PASSS is funded solely by state general revenue funds and allows families to apply for services after adoption finalization. PASSS funding can be used for medical services, residential treatment care and mental health services.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Little evidence in practice Establish/change goal X Use of goal of long-term foster

care as permanency option X Aggressive pursuit of

permanency for children by agency, family group conferencing

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings not timely Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Timely filing of TPRs Provide legal services


Rights (TPR) Conduct proceedings for appeal X Delays due to frequency and

length of appealed cases


X Lack of homes for special-needs children, lack of adoptive homes that reflect ethnic and racial diversity of children

X Use of registries, recruitment initiative to target families for children with special needs, enlisting private agencies

Select adoptive home X Using cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Allowing local offices to determine parameters for Title IV-E Adoption Assistance eligibility requirements

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Providing post-adoption services, providing funding for respite care

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Lack of coordination with courts, inability to systematically track cases through adoption process

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Lack of coordination with agency,

crowded court dockets, continuances

Courts

Resources X Pool of experienced judges available for assignment to courts upon request

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 124.1 -- -- 267.1 Children in foster care on September 30 20,078 20,365 21,584 542,000 21,012 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 590 3,035 4,919 65,000 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black <1 48 54 45 -- White <1 44 38 34 -- Hispanic <1 2 3 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 99 6 5 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 1,868 2,044 2,230 50,000 2,396 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) -- 29 26 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 56 41 35 48 39 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 92 96 88 96 Age (in percent)


Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 51 43 45 35 46 White 47 46 45 38 44 Hispanic <1 4 3 16 3 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 0 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 2 8 7 8 8


OKLAHOMA Highlights

Oklahoma reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:

establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; child welfare case management; and court case management.

Oklahoma reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Oklahoma revamped its adoption program in 1999 and created the Swift

Adoption Program. Barriers to adoptive placement were identified and solutions were implemented, resulting in the doubling of full-time staff devoted to adoptions; the creation of specialized and centrally administered units in the six areas of the state; the awarding of contracts to review adoption cases, gather relevant information, and prepare child profile summaries; the awarding of contracts for the completion of adoptive family assessments; and an arrangement with a copy center to replicate adoption records.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2000 – March 18, 2002

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Adjudication slowed by jury trials,

hearings can be postponed if there is an ongoing criminal case

Initiate concurrent planning X Not implemented consistently Establish/change goal X Reunification goal maintained for

too long

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Lack of a thorough hearing Diligent search X Fathers not identified and located Conduct TPR proceedings X Parents entitled to jury trial,

minimal use of exceptions X Process in place for obtaining

TPRs in accordance with ASFA Provide legal services


Rights (TPR)


X Targeted recruitment strategies

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home X Lengthy ICPC process X Use of out-of-state homes

encouraged; agency contracting out ICPC services and supervision of placements to receiving state agencies



X Subsidies helping many families move to permanence

Adoptive Placement


X Children not ready for adoption

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Resource library, retreats, referral information

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Communication gaps between adoption and permanency workers, lack of understanding of the adoption process

X Partnerships with outside agencies for adoption purposes

Child Welfare

Resources X Delays in making appropriate changes to permanency goals due to worker turnover

Case management X Continuances, scheduling delays for ICWA, inexperienced attorneys

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 3 3 3 3 -- 1-5 years 30 29 32 32 -- 6-10 years 33 33 31 32 -- 11-15 years 30 31 29 28 -- 16+ 4 4 5 4 -- Unknown <1 1 0 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 31 25 25 45 -- White 49 47 46 34 -- Hispanic 5 4 5 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 14 11 11 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 12 14 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 825 1,067 956 50,000 987 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 28 31 25 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 41 46 49 48 53 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 99 99 88 95 Age (in percent)


Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 23 25 18 35 19 White 57 51 58 38 53 Hispanic 4 7 5 16 4 American Indian/Alaska Native 10 12 11 1 12 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 1 1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 7 5 7 8 12

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 42 36 59 43 Non-relative -- 24 21 17 15 Relative -- 35 43 23 42 Step-parent -- <1 0 0 1

OREGON Highlights

Oregon reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Oregon reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: Oregon has a statewide program to use mediation services with selected

TPR cases to facilitate appropriate “openness” in adoptive placements. The mediation focuses on bringing birth and adoptive families to consensus about future family relationships and may encourage voluntary parental release of children.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Lack of staff, lack of worker

training, linear planning X Improved planning

Establish/change goal X Plan influenced by available placements and perception of court, goals not reexamined

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Not always timely, lack of training Diligent search X Lack of staff training Conduct TPR proceedings X TPR referral packets, compelling

reasons not understood X Mediation and voluntary

relinquishments, process in place Provide legal services


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Appeals delays, increase in appeals


X Children with significant special needs viewed as unadoptable, recruiting may not begin until legally freed

X Initiatives to place longest-waiting children, diligent recruitment program, use of regional exchanges

Select adoptive home X Family selection process, project for out-of-state adoptions

Approve adoptive home X Home study delays, paperwork delays


X Lack of urgency to finalize adoptions post-TPR


X Subsidy less than foster care subsidy, subsidy applications complicated

X Staff hired for adoption assistance applications

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Contract to establish post-adoption resources center

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Paperwork delays, problems in case flow between offices, high caseloads, lack of training, need staff realignment, tracking issues

X Adoption program centrally administered, state legal and placement specialists provide assistance

Child Welfare

Resources X Added staff positions ending, lack of legal representation for agency

X Additional staff in place

Case management X Crowded court calendars, backlogs, continuances, lack of training, scheduling problems

X Bench Book developed by CIP, training provided by CIP, Legal Assistance Program

Courts

Resources X Lack of consistency in appointing attorneys for children, lack of Attorney General involvement prior to TPR

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 29.5 -- -- 31.3 Children in foster care on September 30 9,278 9,193 8,966 542,000 9,101 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated -- -- -- 65,000 --


Under 1 year 6 5 4 3 -- 1-5 years 46 47 48 32 -- 6-10 years 36 35 34 32 -- 11-15 years 12 12 13 28 -- 16+ <1 1 1 4 -- Unknown <1 <1 0 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 11 10 10 45 -- White 62 60 59 34 -- Hispanic 8 9 10 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 3 3 3 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 1 1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 15 18 18 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 765 831 1,071 50,000 1,115 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 9 12 12 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 44 47 49 48 51 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 98 99 88 99 Age (in percent)

Under 1 year <1 <1 <1 2 0 1-5 years 47 51 48 46 52 6-10 years 40 34 35 34 33 11-15 years 11 14 15 16 14 16+ 1 1 2 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black -- 12 8 35 8 White -- 71 71 38 67 Hispanic 12 12 13 16 15 American Indian/Alaska Native -- 4 4 1 1 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 1 <1 1 1 Unknown/two or more races 88 1 3 8 7


PENNSYLVANIA Highlights

Pennsylvania reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Pennsylvania reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches

most commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; hold hearing; and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: Pennsylvania established the Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN), a

collaborative effort to serve children and prospective adoptive families. Available services include preparation of children for the adoption process and a continuum of post-adoption services, ranging from counseling to respite care. SWAN also manages the statewide recruitment efforts on behalf of all counties.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not implemented consistently,

judges lack understanding of process

Establish/change goal X Delays in goal change, adoption not pursued for younger children who express disinterest

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings, tracking systems

Diligent search X Delays in searches X Increased efforts to find parents Conduct TPR proceedings X Failure to pursue TPR in timely

manner, “pro-reunification mentality, TPR not filed without adoptive home

X Project to address termination barriers through protocols and policies

Provide legal services X Lack of guardians and attorneys


Rights (TPR)


X Various media and targeted recruitment, use of exchanges, hotlines addressing language barriers

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X Home study delays, no dual

licensing, no separate training for adoptive parents

X Network of agencies licensed to do evaluations in other counties and states



X Misperception about services, subsidies differ from foster care

X Statewide staff and adoptive parent education on subsidies

Adoptive Placement


X Services to prepare children for adoption

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X

Not consistently available in all counties, accessibility issues

X Services provided, peer support programs

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Belief that older children are unadoptable, views against TPR and adoption

X Permanency training, network to serve children and prospective adoptive families, permanency roundtables reviewing cases

Child Welfare

Resources X Adoption library of laws, policies and best practices

Case management X Crowded dockets, continuances, belief that older children are unadoptable, involvement of multiple judges and attorneys

X Training provided Courts

Resources X Lack of attorneys and GALs X Increased resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 67.9 -- -- 78.3 Children in foster care on September 30 22,690 21,631 21,237 542,000 21,434 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 846 1,008 942 65,000 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 54 57 56 45 -- White 32 32 33 34 -- Hispanic 12 10 10 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 0 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races <1 <1 <1 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 57 56 46 35 53 White 37 37 44 38 38 Hispanic 5 7 9 16 8 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 1 <1 8 0

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 44 58 59 77 Non-relative -- 50 37 17 18 Relative -- 6 5 23 5 Step-parent -- <1 0 0 0

RHODE ISLAND Highlights

Rhode Island reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:


Rhode Island reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: eighty percent of Rhode Island adoptions are foster parent adoptions, and

many of these have developed some degree of openness with the birth family through the concurrent planning model. Rhode Island also uses open adoptions and mediation, which stakeholders report result in a greater willingness of biological parents to accept TPR without a hearing to further expedite the adoption process.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2002 – March 8, 2004 Note: Program Improvement Plan not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Lack of foster homes willing to

participate, not implemented statewide

X Training for all foster parents , implementation of service model

Establish/change goal X Extending goal of reunification, inappropriate goals

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Not always held unless contested decisions, not timely

X Transportation to hearings

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Reluctance to seek TPR for older

children, refusal to TPR without adoptive home, delays in filing, not adhering to timelines

X Expedited filing of TPRs, mediation process for voluntary relinquishment, approval of open adoptions

Provide legal services X Lack of legal services for agency


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy appeals process X Appeals reduced by mediation Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of homes to meet childrens’ needs, reluctance to use outside placements and exchanges

X Contracts for recruitment, use of targeted recruitment

Select adoptive home X Delays in identifying children who need a home

X Adoption staff helping caseworkers with placement

Approve adoptive home X ICPC delays X Dual training of parents Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Services not always available X Adoption Rhode Island contract to provide services, adoption subsidies provided

Adoptive Placement


X Waiting lists for services for families

X Support staff for families, training for mental health providers, preparation services for children

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Supports needed X Community agencies offer support programs

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Underutilization of Adoption Rhode Island, older children viewed as unadoptable, lack of collaboration with courts

X Family-centered practice implemented, partnership with Adoption Rhode Island, training for staff, policy committee

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of staff X Adoption support staff, added staff to Adoption and Foster Care Preparation Unit

Case management X Crowded dockets, older children viewed as unadoptable, lack of collaboration with agency

Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 2 1 1 3 -- 1-5 years 35 28 31 32 -- 6-10 years 37 33 29 32 -- 11-15 years 25 34 33 28 -- 16+ 2 3 5 4 -- Unknown -- 1 1 -- --




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 26 26 24 35 25 White 46 54 47 38 55 Hispanic 13 15 13 16 12 American Indian/Alaska Native 2 <1 2 1 2 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 1 2 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 13 4 11 8 6

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 61 64 59 54 Non-relative -- 7 6 17 10 Relative -- 32 30 23 36 Step-parent -- 0 <1 0 0

SOUTH CAROLINA Highlights

South Carolina reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

South Carolina reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches

most commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and approve adoptive home.

A promising approach of interest: South Carolina has taken steps to address judicial barriers to timely permanency, including joint training of county directors, supervisors and attorneys on appropriate and effective treatment plans; working with the Bench Bar Committee and the Children’s Law Project to address such issues as court continuances; and training for judges and attorneys on expediting permanency for children in care.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Lack of concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Establishing goals not timely

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings not timely, agency attorney must request hearing, no system to track overdue hearings

Diligent search X Lack of search for parents Conduct TPR proceedings X Reluctance of judges to TPR,

filings not timely, court focused on reunification



Rights (TPR)


X Not recruiting families that reflect the ethnic and racial diversity of children in care

X Various recruitment methods, collaborative project with Georgia

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X New licensing process to

expedite approval of foster homes as adoptive homes



Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Preservation services for families experiencing difficulties

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Staff turnover X Contracting with private agencies for adoption services, training, designated adoption workers

Child Welfare

Resources X Loss of agency attorneys due to budget cuts

Case management X Continuances X Judicial training Courts Resources X Overcrowded court dockets,

insufficient number of attorneys, limited court time

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 65 63 63 45 -- White 33 35 35 34 -- Hispanic 1 <1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races <1 <1 <1 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 61 64 58 35 60 White 37 35 39 38 36 Hispanic 1 1 2 16 2 American Indian/Alaska Native --- <1 1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- <1 -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 -- <1 8 1

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 57 68 59 67 Non-relative -- 43 31 17 32 Relative -- 0 1 23 <1 Step-parent -- 0 0 0 0

SOUTH DAKOTA Highlights

South Dakota reported barriers in three of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; and court case management.

South Dakota reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches

most commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.

A promising approach of interest: South Dakota’s public agency has developed a strong partnership with the

state’s Children’s Home Society. The agency contracts with Children’s Home Society to approve adoptive families in the two largest offices, conduct child-specific recruitment for children in residential treatment centers, and provide ongoing support for the child and adoptive family after placement. South Dakota’s public agency also joined with Children’s Home Society to apply for a Federal Adoption Opportunities Grant to promote and support permanency for sibling groups.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2000 – October 22, 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Look to place with foster parents

that might adopt Entry

Finding of abuse/neglect X Not following ICWA early Initiate concurrent planning X No concurrent planning process Establish/change goal

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing Diligent search X Delays in TPR of fathers after

mothers’ rights have been terminated

Conduct TPR proceedings X Tribal courts reluctant to grant TPR, refusal by some judges to grant TPR for older children

X Report sent by child welfare agency every month to circuit court judges and tribal courts with a list of children in care and the status of the case as a way to highlight dates for TPR



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Significant increase in the number of appeals


X Cannot begin recruitment until TPR is finalized, not enough Native American homes

X Number of homes available increased through contracts, use of adoption exchanges

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home X Streamlined process for foster-

adopt placements Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Adoption subsidy offered to all families

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Providing post-adoption services for all adoptive families

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Contractors to provide services Child Welfare Resources

Case management X Lack of compliance with time frames

X ASFA training Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 3 3 2 45 -- White 34 34 34 34 -- Hispanic 4 5 3 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 58 57 58 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 -- <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 2 3 6 --


Under 1 year 1 4 2 2 1 1-5 years 45 55 52 46 54 6-10 years 39 27 37 34 31 11-15 years 10 14 7 16 12 16+ 5 -- 2 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 2 -- 2 35 1 White 46 37 41 38 34 Hispanic 4 6 11 16 4 American Indian/Alaska Native 46 51 41 1 57 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 1 5 4 8 4


TENNESSEE Highlights

Tennessee reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; and child welfare case management.

Tennessee reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Tennessee established regional adoption service teams that serve each of

the 12 geographic regions in the state. They are responsible for providing case management for children awaiting adoptive placements, preparing children for adoption, recruiting and preparing adoptive families, and providing placement and post-placement services. They also work with birth parents that want to make a voluntary plan of adoption for their child.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Appropriate goal not established

in timely manner

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings Diligent search X Not identifying fathers early on Conduct TPR proceedings X Unwillingness of agency

attorneys to pursue TPR unless they are sure it will be granted, hesitancy to TPR on the part of judges and workers, minimal use of exceptions



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of homes for children with special needs

X Implementing several new recruitment strategies

Select adoptive home X Foster parents lack information X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X Curriculum for dual-approval of

foster and adoptive parents Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Increased adoption assistance rates, implementing electronic fingerprinting

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Poor casework practice, backlog in cases

X Regional adoption service teams, training for all new adoption staff

Child Welfare

Resources X Legal services in agency lacking X Staff increased Case management X Training by CIP Courts Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 2 2 2 3 -- 1-5 years 24 27 27 32 -- 6-10 years 34 36 33 32 -- 11-15 years 30 29 33 28 -- 16+ 8 5 5 4 -- Unknown 2 1 <1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 48 46 43 45 -- White 49 50 52 34 -- Hispanic 2 2 2 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races <1 2 3 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 37 38 31 35 35 White 59 56 57 38 54 Hispanic 2 3 5 16 3 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 -- <1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races <1 3 8 8 7


TEXAS Highlights

Texas reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management.

Texas reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: in Texas, the Court Improvement Project (CIP) facilitated the creation of

cluster courts, which handle CPS cases exclusively and utilize a traveling judge who hears cases in a cluster of counties. CIP is working with the Children’s Justice Act (a federal grant administered concurrently with CIP) to initiate mediation of CPS cases in all cluster courts.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2000 – February 11, 2002

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Use of concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Court goals not always in child’s

best interest X Process to establish timely and

appropriate goals

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings occur often Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Pursued when adoption unlikely,

use of exceptions rare



Rights (TPR)


X Not pursued until TPR, lack of homes for the many children available

X Use of exchanges, recruitment programs, and advisory committee; diverse pool of adoptive homes

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes Approve adoptive home X Delays between application for

licensure and receipt of training X Dual licensing of foster/adoptive

homes, home study process standardized


X Adoptive families deterred by cost X Creation of pools of attorneys to provide legal services


X Adoption subsidies for all families

Adoptive Placement


X Adoption preparation services for children

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Services provided by contractor

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Worker turnover, roles of courts and agency unclear, lack of training, lack of collaboration with contractors

X Contracts, co-location with contract agency staff, designated staff to move cases toward adoption

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of legal representation and staff

Case management X Roles of courts and agency unclear

X CIP cluster courts Courts

Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 4 5 5 3 -- 1-5 years 30 31 31 32 -- 6-10 years 33 31 29 32 -- 11-15 years 29 29 30 28 -- 16+ 4 4 4 4 -- Unknown -- 0 -- -- --




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 30 26 24 35 25 White 30 32 32 38 33 Hispanic 36 37 39 16 37 American Indian/Alaska Native <1 1 <1 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 4 5 5 8 5


UTAH Highlights

Utah reported barriers in four of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Utah reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: Utah has an extensive private-public post-adoption statewide support

network. The agency has established a three-year plan to improve adoption support, including a Web site, a free lending library, classes throughout the state, a chat room, referral numbers, a statewide newsletter, adoption competency training for mental health workers, Child and Family Services and education staff, post-adoption workers assigned to support families statewide, and ongoing assessment with families through a Federal Adoption Opportunities Grant.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Use of foster/adopt homes Establish/change goal X Appropriate goal for child not

established X Use of child and family team

meetings for all cases

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings held in timely manner Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X TPRs not filed in timely manner,

significant differences among the tribes with respect to filing TPR

X Allow for open adoptions



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of Spanish-speaking staff impacting recruitment, lack of process for diligent recruitment

X Collaborating with private agency and an adoption exchange to recruit adoptive homes

Select adoptive home X Utilizing out-of-state homes Approve adoptive home Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Adoption subsidies available to families that are adopting

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Service gaps X Wide array of services and supports available to support adoption, initiative around post-adoption support services

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X No effort by staff to attain adoptions for older children

X Coordination with courts, collaboration with other organizations, services, community groups

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of Spanish-speaking staff, rural nature of state impacts service delivery

Case management X Coordination with child welfare Courts Resources

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 4 9 6 3 -- 1-5 years 27 29 30 32 -- 6-10 years 32 32 32 32 -- 11-15 years 31 26 28 28 -- 16+ 5 3 3 4 -- Unknown 1 -- 1 -- --



Under 1 year 8 8 9 2 9 1-5 years 43 51 54 46 52 6-10 years 37 30 27 34 28 11-15 years 12 11 10 16 10 16+ <1 1 1 2 1 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 2 3 6 35 5 White 34 55 52 38 54 Hispanic 20 19 28 16 26 American Indian/Alaska Native 1 2 3 1 2 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 1 3 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 43 21 9 8 13


VERMONT Highlights

Vermont reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:


Vermont reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: hold hearing; recruit adoptive home; and child welfare case management.

A promising approach of interest: stakeholders interviewed in the CFSR praised the child welfare agency for its work in partnerships with other agencies to establish a strong network of post-adoption services to support adoptive families and children. Services are available through a statewide consortium.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 1998 – April 30, 2001

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect X Merit hearings not scheduled,

adjudication delays

Initiate concurrent planning X Use of legal-risk foster-adopt placements

Establish/change goal X Goals not always set in planned manner, not reexamined, and not clear to everyone involved in case; lack of adoption planning for older children

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Some judges hold hearings only if disagreement on goals

X Timely hearings

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Hearings and decisions not

timely, time from filing to determination lengthy, compelling reasons not documented

X Timely filings, increase in filings

Provide legal services X Lack of legal representation


Rights (TPR)


X Lack of adoptive homes, particularly minority families and homes for children with special needs; lack of statewide strategy

X Collaborative recruitment efforts using various media approaches, cross-jurisdictional activities, use of exchanges, outreach to Abenaki community, planned recruitment for older children

Select adoptive home X Resistance to out-of-state and cross-jurisdictional placements

Approve adoptive home X Foster parents not completing required paperwork for adoption



Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Strong service network

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X One worker per office responsible for spectrum of adoption activities

X Permanency team reviewing cases, centralizing worker supervision

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of staff X Additional staff assigned to adoptive program

Case management X High caseloads, backlogs, high attorney turnover

X CIP addressing backlogs, case management protocol, training

Courts

Resources X Lack of judges, attorneys and courtrooms


2001 Nation 2002

Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 4.8 -- -- 6.8 Children in foster care on September 30 1,445 1,318 1,360 542,000 1,538 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 351 184 238 65,000 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 2 2 2 45 -- White 96 96 96 34 -- Hispanic 1 1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 1 1 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 4 5 -- 35 6 White 96 90 95 38 93 Hispanic -- 3 -- 16 0 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 2 -- 1 0 Unknown/two or more races -- 1 5 8 1


VIRGINIA Highlights

Virginia reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur:


Virginia reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: under Virginia’s comprehensive adoption assistance program, adopted

children receive the same level of care they received in foster care. Adoption assistance payments equal foster care payments, including those for therapeutic care. The program also provides adoption assistance for children in residential treatment facilities. Virginia contributes state funds toward adoption assistance payments and to pay for services not covered by Medicaid.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Planning not mandated X Increased use Establish/change goal X Goal of reunification maintained

for too long

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings, future hearings scheduled at each hearing

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Filing not timely, lengthy process,

parents given too much time



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Lengthy appeals, increase in appeals, full evidentiary hearings


X Lack of homes for older and special-needs children, lack of diverse homes

X Targeted recruitment, contracts for recruitment

Select adoptive home X Lack of information for foster parents

X Statewide matching parties/ meetings

Approve adoptive home X Foster/adoptive parent training not mandatory

X Dual licensure of homes, home study template to remove cross-jurisdictional barriers



X Comprehensive adoption assistance program, collaborative efforts with private agencies

Adoptive Placement


X Lack of adoption counseling services provided to children, family preparation lacking

X Contract with University of Virginia to conduct attachment assessments for pre-adoptive and adoptive families

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Family preservation and legal services provided, respite care

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X High caseloads X Partnerships with private agencies, new permanency unit, collaboration with court

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of staff, lost funding for recruitment position

Case management X Crowded court dockets, continuances, high caseloads

X Developed protocols, training, collaboration with agency, working to identify best practices, calendar management improved by CIP

Courts

Resources X Localities lack funds for attorneys

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001



Under 1 year 4 5 4 3 -- 1-5 years 38 36 34 32 -- 6-10 years 41 40 38 32 -- 11-15 years 16 18 23 28 -- 16+ 1 1 1 4 -- Unknown -- <1 -- -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 54 53 54 45 -- White 39 39 37 34 -- Hispanic 4 4 4 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native <1 <1 <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 1 <1 <1 <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 2 3 4 6 --


Under 1 year 2 <1 <1 2 0 1-5 years 46 36 40 46 41 6-10 years 37 42 40 34 35 11-15 years 15 19 17 16 22 16+ -- 3 3 2 2 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 45 46 41 35 51 White 45 44 46 38 39 Hispanic 6 5 5 16 4 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian 2 <1 1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 2 5 8 8 6


WASHINGTON Highlights

Washington reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management.

Washington reported promising approaches in four of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: to address the problem of court continuances due to a lack of adequate

representation for parents, Washington implemented a three-year Defense Representation pilot project in three counties. Washington reports that the project provided increased representation and reduced continuances in those counties.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: October 1, 2002 – November 3, 2003 Note: Program Improvement Plan not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Use of linear planning X Staff training on planning Establish/change goal X Families given too much time,

lack of services for parents, lack of consistency in setting timelines for families

X Two planning reviews for each case

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Continuances, lack of representation for families

Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays, continuances, judges

reluctant to TPR, filings not timely X Timelines followed, especially for

younger children Provide legal services X Lack of attorneys for parents X Improved representation for

families


Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Appeals cause delays Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of homes for older children, lack of diverse homes

X Use of exchanges, contracts for recruitment, grant received for special needs recruitment

Select adoptive home X Barriers in homes of choice Approve adoptive home X Delays in completing home

studies, ICPC delays, time from finalized TPR to finalized adoption lengthy

X Contracts for placement, staff training on ICPC, consistent home study format


X Adoption hearings limited


X Support payments frozen in time, support services needed

X Financial barriers to adopting children with special needs removed, support program includes medical and other services

Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption


AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Lack of training, paperwork delays, staff turnover

X Training provided, regional adoption consortium facilitates public-private case staffing

Child Welfare

Resources X Planning to hire staff Case management X Delays, insufficient court time,

crowded dockets Courts

Resources X Lack of attorneys and judges X Improving representation


2001 Nation 2002

Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 31.3 -- -- 35.3 Children in foster care on September 30 8,688 8,945 9,101 542,000 8,738 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 3,368 2,216 1,854 65,000 --





Under 1 year 2 1 1 2 2 1-5 years 58 56 57 46 61 6-10 years 32 32 31 34 27 11-15 years 8 9 10 16 9 16+ 1 1 1 2 1 Unknown -- -- <1 -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 5 13 12 35 11 White 37 64 63 38 61 Hispanic 11 12 11 16 14 American Indian/Alaska Native 2 4 5 1 5 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 1 1 1 1 Unknown/two or more races 45 6 7 8 7

Adopted by (in percent) Foster parent -- 59 59 59 100 Non-relative -- 37 39 17 0 Relative -- <1 <1 23 0 Step-parent -- 3 2 0 0

WEST VIRGINIA Highlights

West Virginia reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: establish/

change goal; conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and court case management.

West Virginia reported promising approaches in two of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home and child welfare case management.

A promising approach of interest: West Virginia state statute, child welfare department policy and the rules of procedure issued by the State Supreme Court contain provisions for the establishment and operation of Multidisciplinary Treatment Teams (MDT). Each MDT is supposed to provide periodic review of each case until permanency is achieved.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Fathers not identified and

involved early Entry

Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning Establish/change goal X Adoption not used for older

children, delays in changing goals, lack of clear goals

Permanency

Planning

Hold hearing X Hearings not consistent, judges reluctant to schedule

Diligent search X Collaborating with Child Support Enforcement Agency

Conduct TPR proceedings X Delays in seeking TPR, relatives must pursue TPR independently

X Increased TPR filings, courts comply with ASFA



Rights (TPR)


X Lack of a statewide plan, lack of homes for older youth and sibling groups

X Recruiter hired, partnership with private agency, strong cross-jurisdictional plan

Select adoptive home X Foster parents and relatives not encouraged to adopt, lack of information

Approve adoptive home X Home study delays Conduct proceedings for adoption


X Not all relatives receive subsidies

Adoptive Placement


X Adoptive parents not feeling supported

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Lack of services and medical insurance, college tuition and independent living services not available to adopted children

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X High caseloads, belief that older children are unadoptable, lack of training, staff turnover, case transfer delays, data not being documented in tracking system

X Staff training, multi-disciplinary teams review case plans

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of dedicated adoption staff X Adoption staff hired Case management X Continuances, court delays Courts Resources X Attorneys hired

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 16 10 8 45 -- White 82 81 83 34 -- Hispanic 1 1 1 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- <1 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 <1 -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 7 8 6 --



Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 9 15 7 35 6 White 87 76 84 38 85 Hispanic 1 3 1 16 1 American Indian/Alaska Native -- -- -- 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 3 6 8 8 8


WISCONSIN Highlights

Wisconsin reported barriers in five of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings; recruit adoptive home; court case management; establish/change goal; and child welfare case management.

Wisconsin reported promising approaches in three of the top five stages where promising approaches most

commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; and hold hearing.

A promising approach of interest: the process for recruiting foster and adoptive homes in Wisconsin is a joint effort between the counties, private child-placing agencies, and the DCFS. The state's Special Needs Adoption Program (SNAP) has taken a lead role in working with licensing and recruiting entities to ensure that recruitment strategies are developed to recruit a diverse pool of adoptive families. SNAP annually identifies targeted recruitment strategies.


STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement X Not investigating fathers and

paternal relatives as possible placement

Entry

Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not established until after

reunification has failed

Establish/change goal X Not establishing appropriate goal for child in a timely manner

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Timely hearings Diligent search Conduct TPR proceedings X Not pursuing TPR without

identified adoptive home; delays due to late filings, scheduling hearings, parents requesting jury trial, extensions/continuances; hesitancy to TPR



Rights (TPR)


X Further efforts needed recruiting cross-jurisdictional homes

X Targeted recruitment strategies, extensive recruitment for special-needs children

Select adoptive home Approve adoptive home Conduct proceedings for adoption


Adoptive Placement


Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X Available to families

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management X Belief that older children are unadoptable, agency emphasis on reunification, need better cross jurisdictional relationships

X Contracting with private agencies to increase adoption program capacity and maintain quality services

Child Welfare

Resources X Lack of agency attorneys Case management X Court bias toward reunification Courts Resources X Lack of attorneys to file TPR

petitions

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001




Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 57 53 52 45 -- White 36 39 40 34 -- Hispanic 3 3 3 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 4 4 4 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian <1 -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races 1 1 2 6 --

CHILDREN ADOPTED Total number 642 736 754 50,000 1,028 Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent) 19 25 21 -- -- Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent) 71 76 77 48 79 Receiving a subsidy (in percent) -- 99 99 88 100 Age (in percent)


Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 42 39 36 35 40 White 47 48 47 38 44 Hispanic 6 7 7 16 8 American Indian/Alaska Native 5 5 3 1 2 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- 1 <1 1 0 Unknown/two or more races -- 1 7 8 6


WYOMING Highlights

Wyoming reported barriers in two of the top five stages where barriers most commonly occur: conduct TPR proceedings and recruit adoptive home.

Wyoming reported promising approaches in five of the top five stages where promising approaches most


A promising approach of interest: to enhance the timeliness of permanency hearings, Wyoming added a

judge to the juvenile court, and the Court Improvement Project created a Bench Book. Stakeholders noted that permanency hearings appear to be occurring in a timely manner for children recently entering care.

Barriers and Promising Approaches Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – July 8, 2002 Note: Statewide Assessment not available

STAGES OF ADOPTION Barrier Promising Approach Identify placement Entry Finding of abuse/neglect Initiate concurrent planning X Not used consistently Establish/change goal

Permanency Planning

Hold hearing X Not held in timely manner X Bench Book developed by CIP Diligent search X Absent parent location efforts Conduct TPR proceedings X Lengthy time to TPR, no filing

without adoptive home, contested terminations require jury trials, no TPRs on reservations

CIP addressing TPR delays



Rights (TPR)

Conduct proceedings for appeal X Court delays in processing Recruit adoptive home

X Lack of adoptive families, no TPR inhibits recruitment, no statewide plan

X Use of exchanges, targeted recruitment

Select adoptive home X Use of cross-jurisdictional and out-of-state placements, adoption information retreats for foster parents

Approve adoptive home X Grants for special-needs family training



X Medicaid provision differs for foster care

X Subsidies for special-needs adoptions

Adoptive Placement


X Preparation services for children

Post-Adoption

Provide post-adoption services X

AGENCY FACTORS

Case management

X Staff training, cooperating with private agency, coordinating with CIP to facilitate timely adoptions

Child Welfare

Resources Case management X Backlogs, child welfare cases not

a priority, crowded dockets X CIP educating courts,

permanency unit created Courts

Resources X One judge added by CIP, planning to create children’s permanency unit in attorney general’s office

Indicators

OVERVIEW 1999 2000 2001 2001

Nation 2002 Spending on adoption services (in millions) -- 0.5 -- -- 1.0 Children in foster care on September 30 774 815 965 542,000 929 Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated 107 89 91 65,000 --


Under 1 year 2 2 2 3 -- 1-5 years 35 23 25 32 -- 6-10 years 40 43 34 32 -- 11-15 years 19 26 32 28 -- 16+ 4 6 7 4 -- Unknown -- -- 1 -- --

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 6 6 6 45 -- White 80 79 85 34 -- Hispanic 12 12 6 12 -- American Indian/Alaska Native 2 2 2 2 -- Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- -- <1 -- Unknown/two or more races -- 1 1 6 --


Under 1 year -- -- -- 2 2 1-5 years 49 39 30 46 44 6-10 years 31 41 50 34 37 11-15 years 13 15 17 16 15 16+ 7 5 2 2 2 Unknown -- -- -- -- 0

Race/ethnicity (in percent) Black 11 8 -- 35 6 White 71 79 72 38 81 Hispanic 9 12 20 16 12 American Indian/Alaska Native 2 2 7 1 0 Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian -- -- 2 1 0 Unknown/two or more races 7 -- -- 8 2


Documents

Foster Care Adoption in the United Stateswebarchive.urban.org/.../411108_FosterCareAdoption.pdf · 2004-11-17 · child welfare agency and the courts, both of which play key roles