Child Protective Services Handbook
October 1, 2007 Revision

A summary of this revision is posted below. The new item follows, displayed in red.

Adoption by Military Families (PATS 1142)

The following policies are revised as follows:

New item:

6836 Adoption By Military Families

Renumbered item:

6838 Adoptive Parent Registry is renumbered (formerly 6836).

Deleted items:

6845 Making Placements in Other States

6846 Making Out-of-Country Placements

References to 6836 Adoption By Military Families are added to:

5420 Court-Ordered Social Studies

7120 Inquiry and Screening Foster Family Homes and Adoptive Homes

Appendix 7260-IV: Foster/Adoptive Home Study Guidelines

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6836 Adoption By Military Families

CPS October 1, 2007

DFPS supports adoptive placement of children with military families when the family can meet the child’s needs. Military families often have access to services that support an adoptive placement. They include comprehensive health care, child development programs, family advocacy, and other social service programs. The military community often serves as an extended family to its members. The military community offers structure and often a culturally diverse population.

When considering a military family, whether in the United States or not, for adoption of a child, the worker and supervisor must consider the following situations and their impact on the child and prospective family:

  ·  The possibility of a transfer from their current station or base before consummation of the adoption.

  ·  The likelihood of an assignment where one parent is assigned to a duty station and the remaining family remains behind, that is, the parent is deployed to a battle zone and the family remains behind.

  ·  The availability of services for the child and family, especially if the family moves or lives overseas.

  ·  If the family is stationed overseas, whether there are sufficient supports to help the family meet the child’s needs.

  ·  Plans to meet the child’s medical needs before consummation, as Medicaid coverage is not available outside the United States.

  ·  The impact of any relocation by the family on the child’s need to maintain contact with biological siblings or other family members.

  ·  Plans for the child’s return to care in the event the adoption disrupts.

For additional information on making out-of-country placements, see 6835 Adoptive Homes in Other Countries.

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