922 KAR 1:100. Public Agency adoptions

      Section 1. Definitions. (1) "Approved adoptive parent" means a family approved in accordance with:

      (a) 922 KAR 1:310;

      (b) 922 KAR 1:350; or

      (c) Section 6 of this administrative regulation.

      (2) "Foster family home" is defined by KRS 199.011(9) and 600.020(26).

      (3) "Home study" means an evaluation conducted in accordance with the requirements of the state where the home is located, to determine the preparation and suitability of a proposed adoptive parent, including the home environment, to receive a child for the purpose of adoption.

      (4) "Open adoption" means an agreement between an adoptive parent and an adopted child’s biological or legal parent regarding communication or contact with the child.

      (5) "Pre-adoptive placement" means a home, approved by the cabinet, where a child legally free for adoption is placed prior to adoption finalization.

      (6) "Pre-placement conference" means a meeting conducted by cabinet staff with a prospective adoptive parent that fulfills requirements specified in Section 4 of this administrative regulation.

      (7) "Prospective adoptive parent" means an individual who has applied with a Kentucky or an out-of-state public or licensed private child welfare agency to be approved as an adoptive parent.

      (8) "Qualified mental health professional" or "QMHP" is defined by KRS 600.020(48).

      (9) "Qualified mental retardation professional" or "QMRP" is defined by KRS 202B.010(12).

      (10) "Social service worker":

      (a) Is defined by KRS 600.020(56); or

      (b) Means a social or human service worker with an out-of-state public or licensed private child welfare agency who meets the requirements of that state to conduct a home study.

      (11) "Special Needs Adoption Program" or "SNAP" means a program for the recruitment of an adoptive family by cabinet staff for a child in the custody of the cabinet whose adoptive placement has not been identified within thirty (30) days following the termination of parental rights, in accordance with KRS Chapter 625.

 

      Section 2. Preparation of the Child for Adoptive Placement. (1) A child prepared for adoptive placement by cabinet staff shall receive information regarding the:

      (a) Relationship to the biological or legal parent;

      (b) Entitlement to a parent;

      (c) If applicable, relationship with the foster family home;

      (d) Reason the foster placement may not become the adoptive placement;

      (e) Role of the social service worker and the child in the placement planning process;

      (f) Meaning of adoption;

      (g) Process of recruitment of a parent and how the child may be involved;

      (h) Impending placement;

      (i) Visitation process;

      (j) Placement decision; and

      (k) Cabinet staff responsible for the placement decision.

      (2) Cabinet staff shall:

      (a) Request the biological or legal parent to either consent or refuse to consent to the inspection of the adoption records by the adult adopted person when the child reaches twenty-one (21) years of age; and

      (b) File with the circuit or family court in the county where the adoption was finalized the consent or refusal to consent to the inspection of the adoption records by the adult adopted person.

      (3) If a child’s permanency goal includes adoption and reunification with a sibling separated during foster care, the cabinet shall plan for the reunion and coordinate increased visitation between siblings.

      (4) If cabinet staff agree by consensus during a planning conference, a sibling may be separated from another sibling in adoption upon consideration of:

      (a) If age appropriate, each sibling’s understanding of the facts of the relationship, feelings, wishes, and ideas regarding options for placement;

      (b) The perception of the relationship of each child with the sibling; and

      (c) The recommendation of a:

      1. QMHP; or

      2. If applicable, a QMRP.

      (5) A QMHP, QMRP, relative, social service worker, nonadoptive foster parent, or another individual approved by cabinet staff may assist with preparing the child for adoption.

      (6) If the child’s goal is changed to adoption, a child in the custody of the cabinet may be placed with an approved adoptive parent prior to the termination of parental rights to the child.

      (7) If a prospective adoptive parent has not been identified for a child after the child’s permanency goal has been changed to adoption in accordance with 922 KAR 1:140, the cabinet:

      (a) Shall comply with the Swift adoption procedures in accordance with KRS 199.565 to meet and discuss recruitment of a prospective adoptive parent;

      (b) May invite an individual specified in subsection (5) of this section to a meeting in which the child’s permanency plan is discussed; and

      (c) Shall register the child with SNAP in accordance with Section 6(1) of this administrative regulation.

 

      Section 3. Selection of an Adoptive Family. (1) Priority consideration for an adoptive placement shall be given to:

      (a) A relative; or

      (b) The current foster family home.

      (2) The process of recruiting a prospective adoptive parent shall begin if:

      (a) Parental rights of the child are terminated;

      (b) A relative has not made a commitment to adopt the child;

      (c) The child's foster family home has not made a commitment to adopt through a statement of intent;

      (d) Both biological or legal parents of the child are deceased, and designated cabinet staff have been granted custody through the court; or

      (e) The child's pre-adoptive placement is disrupted.

      (3) Prior to placement, cabinet staff shall consider the prospective adoptive parent's acceptance of the child's behavior and characteristics.

      (4) Unless an exception has been approved as described in 922 KAR 1:350, Section 2(2), or by the completion of the DPP-112C, Adoption Placement Exception Request, the following requirements shall apply to a prospective adoptive parent:

      (a) No more than five (5) children, including prospective adoptive parent’s own children, shall live in the prospective adoptive parent’s home; and

      (b) No more than two (2) children under age two (2), including the prospective adoptive parent’s own children, shall live in the prospective adoptive parent’s home.

      (5) The cabinet shall:

      (a) Review and obtain the prospective adoptive parent’s signature on the DPP-171, Notice of Confidentiality Requirements Acknowledgement Cover Sheet; and

      (b) Inform the prospective adoptive parent of:

      1. Visitation and supervision requirements in accordance with KRS 605.090(1)(b); and

      2. Detailed information about the child’s history and services provided to the child, excluding any identifying information of the biological parent, including:

      a. Health, background, and placement history;

      b. Behavior, including behaviors in accordance with KRS 605.090(1); and

      c. Personal characteristics.

 

      Section 4. Preparation of the Prospective Adoptive Parent. (1) Cabinet staff shall conduct a preplacement conference for a child available for adoption with the child’s:

      (a) Foster parent;

      (b) Prospective adoptive parent;

      (c) If applicable, a QMHP or QMRP; and

      (d) If applicable, social service worker from the cabinet or child-placing agency where the child is placed.

      (2) During the pre-placement conference, cabinet staff shall:

      (a) Discuss the information provided in accordance with Section 3(5)(b) of this administrative regulation with the approved adoptive parent;

      (b) Assist the approved adoptive parent in reaching a decision regarding acceptance of placement;

      (c) Determine the method of presenting the approved adoptive parent to the child; and

      (d) Discuss with the prospective adoptive parent acceptance of the child’s plan for visitation and placement.

 

      Section 5. Adoptive Placement. (1) Planned visitation between a child older than one (1) month and a prospective adoptive parent shall occur at least two (2) times prior to placement.

      (2) After parental rights to the child are terminated, final placement with a prospective adoptive parent shall occur as quickly as possible upon concurrence of:

      (a) Cabinet staff;

      (b) The prospective adoptive parent; and

      (c) The child, to the extent the child's age and maturity permit the child's participation.

      (3) Adoption assistance shall be provided in accordance with 922 KAR 1:050 or 922 KAR 1:060.

 

      Section 6. Out-of-State Adoptive Placement. (1) If a prospective adoptive parent has not been identified by the time the child becomes available for adoption, cabinet staff shall:

      (a) Consider an out-of-state placement; and

      (b) Refer the child to SNAP if:

      1. Termination of parental rights has been granted; and

      2. No adoptive placement has been identified within thirty (30) days following the termination of parental rights.

      (2) Placement of a Kentucky child with an out-of-state prospective adoptive parent may occur if:

      (a) The prospective adoptive parent is seeking a child through:

      1. An out-of-state public child welfare agency; or

      2. A licensed private child welfare agency; and

      (b) A home study has been completed or updated within one (1) year by the out-of-state public child welfare agency or licensed private child welfare agency, in accordance with the requirements of the out-of-state agency.

      (3) If a prospective adoptive parent who resides out-of-state cannot pay the expense to attend a pre-placement conference or visit the child, the cabinet may pay travel expenses for the prospective adoptive parent, to the extent funds are available.

      (4) If the Kentucky and out-of-state deputy compact administrators agree to the child's visit in accordance with KRS 615.030, a child may visit and be placed with a prospective adoptive parent who resides in another state, in accordance with KRS 615.030.                (5) Upon approval of the Commissioner or designee, cabinet staff or another adult whom the child knows shall accompany a Kentucky child available for adoption on an out-of-state visit or placement with a prospective out-of-state adoptive parent.

 

      Section 7. Open Adoption. The cabinet shall not prohibit an open adoption.

 

      Section 8. Postplacement Service. (1) The goal of a postplacement service shall be to:

      (a) Ensure the success of the placement; and

      (b) Prevent disruption of the placement.

      (2) The cabinet shall coordinate support services for a child and a prospective adoptive parent prior to the legal adoption and through finalization of the adoption.

      (3) Until the adoption judgment has been granted by a court of competent jurisdiction, the cabinet shall conduct an annual permanency review of a child placed with a prospective adoptive parent.

      (4) Post-Adoption Placement Stabilization Services (PAPSS) shall be offered in accordance with 922 KAR 1:530.

 

      Section 9. Closure of An Approved Adoptive Home. Unless an extension is approved by the commissioner, closure of an approved adoptive home shall occur in accordance with:

      (1) 922 KAR 1:310; or

      (2) 922 KAR 1:350.

 

      Section 10. Service Appeals. A service appeal may be requested in accordance with 922 KAR 1:320.

 

      Section 11. Confidentiality of Records. (1) A child’s records shall be maintained in conformity with existing laws and administrative regulations pertaining to confidentiality, as described by KRS 194A.060(1), 199.430(3), 199.520, 199.525, 199.570, 199.572, 199.575, 620.050, 625.045, 625.108, and 922 KAR 1:510.

      (2) If the child is not adopted, the prospective adoptive parent shall return all documentation pertaining to the child to the cabinet within ten (10) working days of the decision not to adopt.

 

      Section 12. Request for Information from Adoption Records. (1) Identifying information from the cabinet’s record may be released only upon written order by the court upon application to the circuit court that granted the adoption by an adoptee, twenty-one (21) years of age or older.

      (2) If the birth parent has not previously filed consent for release of identifying information with the circuit court, the judge may:

      (a) Issue a court order requiring the cabinet to conduct a search for each birth parent as identified on the original birth certificate; and

      (b) Determine the parent’s desire concerning the release of identifying information from the record.

      (3) Upon receipt of written request by the adult adoptee or the adoptive family, nonidentifying health and background information may be released by the cabinet from a closed adoption record.

      (4) If a request is received from an adoptee, eighteen (18) years of age or older, for contact with an adult preadoptive birth sibling separated during finalization of a closed adoption, cabinet staff shall:

      (a) Review the adoption record; and

      (b) Release identifying information if a mutual request for contact is contained within the record.

      (5) If a request is received from a birth relative seeking an adoptee, either adult or minor, information may be given that adoption did occur and reassurance of the well being of the adoptee at last contact may be confirmed, but cabinet staff shall not contact an adoptee or adoptive family at the request of the birth family.

      (6) If an adult adoptee seeks contact with the birth family, cabinet staff shall inform the adult adoptee of a birth relative’s interest.

 

      Section 13. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

      (a) "DPP-171, Notice of Confidentiality Requirements Acknowledgement Cover Sheet", edition 9/08; and

      (b) "DPP-112C, Adoption Placement Exception Request", edition 9/08.

      (2) This material may be inspected, copied, or obtained, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Department for Community Based Services, 275 East Main Street, Frankfort, Kentucky 40621, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (26 Ky.R. 1596; Am. 1847; eff. 4-12-2000; 35 Ky.R. 1360; 1820; eff. 2-6-09.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 194A.060(1), 199.011(4),(9), 199.430(3), 199.520, 199.525, 199.565, 199.570, 199.572, 199.575, 202B.010(12), 600.020(26), (47),(56), 605.090, 615.030, 620.050, 620.360, 625.045, 625.108, Chapter 625, 45 C.F.R. 1355-1357, 25 U.S.C. 1901-1911, 42 U.S.C. 620-620b, 622(b)(9), 629-629i, 670-679b, 1996, 1996b

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 194A.050(1), 199.472

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 194A.050(1) requires the Secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services to establish policies and operate programs to protect, develop and maintain the welfare of the citizens of the Commonwealth. KRS 199.472 requires the cabinet to establish criteria for the public agency adoption of children in the custody of the cabinet. This administrative regulation establishes the procedures for public agency adoptions.