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
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? …………………………………………………………
Stages of Adoption ………………………………………………………………..…
Research Methodology………………………………………………………………
Guidelines to Research ……………………………………………………….…….
Key Findings: Barriers to Foster Care Adoption……………………………….
Key Findings: Promising Approaches to Foster Care Adoption……………
Why Is This Research Important? ……………………………….………………..
What Can Be Done to Improve the Foster Care to Adoption Process? ……
Glossary and Key Acronyms…….…………………………………………………
Table 1: Barriers Across States……………………………………………………
Table 2: Promising Approaches Across States…………………………………
State Profiles…………………………………………….………………………….…
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7
9
11
13
14
16
17
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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.
1
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.)
Figure 1: Stages to Adoption
Child Welfare Agency
Courts
ENTRY
Finding of abuse / neglect
Agency Factors
Case Management - Resources
Identify placement
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish change / goal
Diligent search
PERMANENCY
PLANNING
Hold hearing
TERMINATE
PARENTAL
RIGHTS (TPR)
Conduct proceedings for TPR
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Adoption subsidy / establish services
Prepare / transition child and family
Provide post-adoption services
ADOPTIVE
PLACEMENT
Conduct proceedings for adoption
POSTADOPTION
2
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.
3
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.
4
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
Item 7: Permanency goal
Item 9: Timely adoption
Item 27: Permanency hearing process
Item 28: TPR process
Item 44: Process for ethnic/racial diversity in recruitment
Item 45: Process for use of cross-jurisdictional homes
States Given a
Rating of Strength
for Item (Percent
and Number)
9.6%
5
11.5%
6
50%
26
42%
22
40%
21
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.
6
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.
7
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
11
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
12
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.
13
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.
14
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
15
Table 1: Barriers at Stages of Adoption Across States
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Court resources
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Court case
management
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Child welfare resources
X
X
X
Agency Factors
Child welfare case
management
X
X
Provide post-adoption
services
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child
and family
X
X
X
X
X
Provide legal services
X
X
X
X
Conduct TPR
proceedings
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Approve adoptive home
X
X
X
Select adoptive home
X
X
X
X
X
Recruit adoptive home
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
PostAdoption
Adoptive Placement
Conduct proceedings for
appeal
X
Establish/change goal
Initiate concurrent
planning
X
X
X
X
Diligent search
X
Hold hearing
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of
Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New
Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Finding of abuse/neglect
Identify placement
Entry
Termination of
Parental Rights
(TPR)
Permanency
Planning
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
16
X
X
X
X
Table 2: Promising Approaches at Stages of Adoption Across States
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Court resources
X
X
X
Court case
management
X
X
X
X
Child welfare resources
Select adoptive home
Recruit adoptive home
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for
appeal
Conduct TPR
proceedings
Diligent search
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Child welfare case
management
X
X
X
Agency Factors
Provide post-adoption
services
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child
and family
X
Hold hearing
Establish/change goal
Initiate concurrent
planning
X
PostAdoption
Adoptive Placement
Approve adoptive home
Alabama
Alaska
Arizona
Arkansas
California
Colorado
Connecticut
Delaware
District of
Columbia
Florida
Georgia
Hawaii
Idaho
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New
Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
North Carolina
North Dakota
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
South Dakota
Tennessee
Texas
Utah
Vermont
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Wyoming
Finding of abuse/neglect
Identify placement
Entry
Termination of
Parental Rights
(TPR)
Permanency
Planning
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
17
X
UNITED STATES
Barriers and Promising Approaches2
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
States (Percent and Number)
Promising Approach
States (Percent and Number)
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for adoption
Establish adoption subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and family
12%
16%
63%
82%
59%
39%
94%
29%
59%
92%
29%
63%
24%
45%
29%
6
8
32
42
30
20
48
15
30
47
15
32
12
23
15
14%
6%
51%
35%
71%
14%
67%
6%
12%
98%
65%
75%
8%
69%
41%
7
3
26
18
36
7
34
3
6
50
33
38
4
35
21
Provide post-adoption services*
29%
15
69%
35
84%
63%
84%
41%
43
32
43
21
88%
41%
63%
22%
45
21
32
11
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
Resources
* 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.
18
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Promising Approach
Identify placement
X Lack of early and intensive
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Not happening consistently
Establish/change goal
X Parents not informed of timelines,
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Not filed on time, workers
X New permanency specialist
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Numerous and lengthy appeals
X Lack of homes for special-needs
X Targeted recruitment, use of
Select adoptive home
X Relatives not informed of
Approve adoptive home
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X
searches
reunification goal maintained for
too long, reluctance to establish
adoption goal
Hearings not timely, not effective
in moving towards permanency
reluctant to file, judges hesitant to
terminate, decision delays,
parents given too many chances
children, lack of recruitment in
small rural counties
benefits, inconsistent effort to find
adoptive families when foster
parents don’t adopt
ICPC delays with home studies,
foster parent adoption not timely
Lengthy legal adoption process
X Workers lack knowledge, need
higher subsidy rates
X
X Planning training for workers,
curriculum for staff on time
frames
X Tracking system
position to work with counties
exchanges, community-focused
efforts, cross-jurisdictional homes
sought, recruitment contracts
X Contracts for training
X Medicaid coverage for children
who move into Alabama
Lack of training on preparing
children
X Services provided by Alabama
Post Adoptions Connections
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
X Lack of adoption training, case
X Training provided, tracking forms,
Resources
Case management
X
X Crowded dockets, permanency
X
X Training on permanency, sample
Courts
Resources
19
transfer issues, time to complete
paperwork, staff turnover
Lack of staff for adoption process
training participation low,
continuances, inconsistent in
following ASFA
adoption manual for staff,
coordination with other agencies
Staff hired to assist counties
court orders developed by CIP
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-5,511
567
2000
10.1
5,621
653
2001
-5,859
839
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
6.6
5,875
--
1,013
1,162
1,288
126,000
1,535
2
28
36
24
5
4
3
28
35
26
5
4
2
25
33
31
6
4
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
53
46
<1
<1
-<1
54
45
1
<1
-1
52
46
1
<1
-2
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
153
-38
--
202
13
41
46
238
14
31
47
50,000
-48
88
249
-30
57
1
49
37
12
1
--
3
49
33
13
3
--
3
47
33
16
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
48
33
15
3
0
51
46
2
--1
41
58
1
--1
42
56
-1
-1
35
38
16
1
1
8
41
56
0
0
0
2
-----
0
98
2
0
0
97
3
0
59
17
23
0
44
56
0
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; approve adoptive
home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X Established, but not implemented
Establish/change goal
X Delays in decisions to change
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
X Filing delays, court reluctance to
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of effective plan, need for
Select adoptive home
X Difficulty identifying placements
Approve adoptive home
X Delays in conducting home
X Dual licensing, home studies
X Lack of services, no
X Subsidy incentive program for
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Resources
Case management
Resources
consistently
goal, tribes uncomfortable with
ASFA time frames
Hearing delays, continuances
granted, too much focus on
parents’ needs over child’s needs
Relative search delays
X CIP working with hearing
timelines
grant TPR, compelling reasons
not documented, TPR culturally
unacceptable
Native homes
X Child-specific recruitment, use of
national exchanges, developing
campaign
for children with behavior issues
studies
developmental disability subsidy
X
expedited
special-needs children
Child’s medical needs not
addressed
X Services needed
X Program in development
X High caseloads
X New pilot streamlines concurrent
X Lack of adoption specialists
X High caseloads, continuances
X
adoption process, recognizing
tribal adoptions, staff training
Hiring new staff
X More attorneys for cases
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-2,248
689
2000
6.8
2,193
582
2001
-1,993
553
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
9.7
2,072
--
830
780
772
126,000
667
7
39
35
17
3
1
4
40
34
19
2
1
4
39
33
22
2
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
9
28
2
58
1
2
9
25
2
60
1
2
9
27
1
62
<1
1
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
137
24
63
--
202
22
66
93
278
21
57
97
50,000
-48
88
190
-67
99
4
53
34
7
2
--
3
38
45
14
1
--
<1
51
34
13
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
53
28
17
1
0
14
28
10
47
1
1
4
30
9
37
1
20
5
26
8
36
-26
35
38
16
1
1
8
7
34
4
49
1
5
-----
59
0
41
0
53
0
47
0
59
17
23
0
63
0
37
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
X Dependency and TPR processes
joined
Initiate concurrent planning
X Not fully implemented, more
Establish/change goal
X Adoption not considered for older
Hold hearing
X Hearing delays, continuances
X Following ASFA timelines, pre-
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Workers reluctant to create legal
X Streamlined TPR process
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy appeals process
X Lack of homes for older children,
X Specialized recruitment unit,
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Delays in processing ICPC cases,
training needed
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
X Improved planning policies,
finding homes that will accept
children with goal of adoption
children
orphans, not filing for TPR
lack of diverse homes
delays in home studies and
criminal checks
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
hearing mediation
performance-based contracts,
incentives for minority recruiting,
use of exchanges
X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
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
X
Children lack needed services
X Services provided
X Increased workloads, backlogs,
X Training provided, Families for
Resources
Case management
X Crowded court calendars
X Use of one family/one judge
Resources
X Delays due to judges’ rotations
staff turnover
Kids Initiative working on
backlogs
approach
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-7,034
2,633
2000
31.9
6,475
1,817
2001
-6,050
1,306
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
28.8
6,211
--
3,051
2,370
2,553
126,000
2,150
6
41
35
18
<1
0
4
39
33
23
1
--
2
35
33
28
2
--
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
11
48
33
2
0
5
11
45
37
2
0
6
10
48
35
2
<1
6
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
761
20
40
--
853
18
40
94
938
22
47
94
50,000
-48
88
793
-51
94
1
45
39
15
1
--
1
45
37
17
1
--
1
49
30
18
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
49
32
16
2
0
13
56
28
1
<1
2
11
56
26
3
-5
10
44
38
2
-7
35
38
16
1
1
8
9
43
41
1
0
6
-----
43
19
38
<1
43
15
42
<1
59
17
23
0
26
38
36
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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 childspecific 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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Barrier
X Difficulty with concurrent planning
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
Hold hearing
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
X Diligent filing and scheduling of
hearings, meeting with judges to
improve hearings
Diligent search
X Interests of absent fathers not
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Workers reluctant to TPR, some
X Strong filing process
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Special-needs recruitment is
X Recruiting families to reflect
Select adoptive home
X Delays in selecting home if foster
X
pursued
judges do not TPR
“uneven,” reluctance to use
national registries
parent is not adopting
diversity of kids, recruitment
contracts with private agencies,
use of ICPC to recruit homes
Promoting and supporting foster
parent and relative adoptions
Contracts for home studies and
adoption summaries
Approve adoptive home
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X Increased services such as
support groups and training
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
X Lack of communication between
Resources
Case management
Resources
X Some judges not following ASFA
Courts
Promising Approach
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
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-2,919
287
2000
9.0
3,045
63
2001
-2,959
250
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
10.3
2,952
--
867
817
810
126,000
974
5
36
31
26
2
<1
4
31
33
29
3
--
3
30
33
31
3
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
42
55
2
<1
<1
2
41
54
2
-<1
2
38
56
2
<1
-5
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
318
26
66
--
325
34
64
94
362
35
57
89
50,000
48
88
297
-56
81
4
41
31
20
4
--
3
39
27
25
6
--
2
41
33
19
5
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
3
38
34
21
5
0
40
53
2
<1
<1
4
37
57
4
1
-2
33
62
3
-<1
2
35
38
16
1
1
8
33
61
2
0
0
4
-----
52
29
19
0
69
17
14
0
59
17
23
0
87
0
13
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – September 23, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Establish/change goal
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
X Mandated concurrent planning,
X Lack of diligence in efforts to
achieve permanency for older
children
X
X
done especially well for younger
children
Legislative changes mandating
adoption reassessment every six
months, shorter reunification time
frames, synchronized time
frames for siblings
Regular hearings held
X No TPR unless adoptive home
X Allow for open adoptions
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of targeted recruitment
X Use of a variety of recruitment
identified, agency not filing TPR
strategies, lack of adoptive
families
X
Resources
Case management
Resources
methods including media
recruitment
Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
X Delays in the home study process
X Changed regulations around
payment rates to remove
financial disincentives to adopting
cross-jurisdictionally
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Promising Approach
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Post-adoption services provided
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
X Increased funding for county
adoption agencies
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30 (in thousands)
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-117.9
6,911
2000
258.7
112.8
9,791
2001
-107.2
999
2001
Nation
-542.0
65,000
2002
385.2
100.5
--
9,894
12,632
7,714
126,000
6,358
4
52
30
12
2
<1
4
47
32
15
2
<1
6
40
34
17
2
<1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
31
32
34
1
2
<1
31
31
36
1
2
<1
34
23
38
1
1
3
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
6,344
32
56
--
8,776
18
47
90
9,180
18
42
92
50,000
-48
88
8,713
-44
93
2
64
26
7
1
--
2
57
29
10
2
0
3
52
31
12
2
<1
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
51
30
14
2
--
20
43
32
1
2
3
22
35
34
1
1
8
17
31
37
<1
1
13
35
38
16
1
1
8
23
29
41
1
2
6
-----
48
9
43
0
46
7
47
0
59
17
23
0
48
6
47
<1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – June 17, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Staff training on planning, birth
X Adoption for older youth not
X
Hold hearing
X Hearings not timely
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Reluctance to pursue TPR in
X Notable gains for younger
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of recruitment for special-
X Statewide recruitment campaign,
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
parents impelled to either engage
in services or relinquish rights
Expedited planning for children
under 6, increased emphasis on
permanency for teens, Family
Group Mediation conferencing
Improved compliance with timing,
timely hearings for younger kids,
tracking system
Establish/change goal
considered, delays in changing
goals
some cases, inconsistent filing,
TPR based on age rather than
case history
needs children, lack of adequate
efforts to find homes, small pool
of waiting families
Select adoptive home
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
Resources
Case management
Resources
children, open adoption promoted
X
X Workers not completing
background checks, training not
required by state
X
recruitment handbook, targeted
recruitment, use of exchanges,
effort to recruit out-of-state and
cross-jurisdictional families
Track approved homes, crossjurisdictional barriers removed
Assessments streamlined,
standardized home studies, plans
for video on ICPC for legal staff
X Certain services may not be
available once adopted
X
Foster/adoptive parents do not
feel supported
X Family advocates help families
access services
X Belief children are unadoptable
X Staff training on permanency,
X
X Recruiters hired
X Permanency training
based on age, ethnicity, and/or
disabilities; paperwork delays;
poor casework practice; case
transfer delays
Staff limitations
permanency for teens, and
preparing for TPR hearings
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-7,639
1,211
2000
26.2
7,533
1,267
2001
-7,138
695
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
34.5
9,209
--
1,682
1,788
1,469
126,000
2,118
2
29
36
29
4
1
2
29
35
30
4
1
4
36
32
24
3
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
19
47
30
2
1
1
21
45
30
3
<1
2
19
45
32
1
<1
2
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
713
53
53
--
691
61
49
95
611
52
54
92
50,000
-48
88
840
-49
92
4
45
33
15
3
--
3
49
32
14
2
--
3
51
28
15
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
49
29
17
3
--
21
51
24
1
-<1
17
52
28
2
1
1
18
50
27
2
1
2
35
38
16
1
1
8
18
47
30
2
1
3
-----
66
10
24
0
63
10
47
<1
59
17
23
0
57
12
32
<1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – April 8, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Lack of clarity on policies and
Establish/change goal
X Long-term foster care and
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
X
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of homes, lack of a mass
procedures
independent living are viewed as
appropriate goals
Hearing results not binding,
hearings viewed as adversarial
Lack of diligent searches for
fathers
Contested TPRs cause delays,
TPR not pursued until adoptive
home is identified, workers do not
file
media campaign to raise
awareness
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
PostAdoption
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Case management
Resources
minor children
X Case management protocol
implemented by court, open
adoptions encouraged
X Process to prioritize appeals
X Generalized recruitment strategy,
committee to coordinate efforts,
specific efforts for special-needs
kids, use of exchanges
agencies for permanency
services, revisions to ICPC policy
X Training and support for parents
X
Older kids prefer independent
living services to adoption
X
to stabilize placements, services
provided
Planned training on preparing
children for adoption
X College tuition available to foster
X Services provided using AOP
X Staff turnover
X Permanency Task Force and
children but not adopted children
Resources
Courts
X Permanent plan required for all
X Contracts with out-of-state
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
Promising Approach
grant, support programs for
families
X
X Backlogs, hearing delays, lack of
attorney contact with children
X
permanency planning units and
teams promote permanency,
training provided
Adoption consultant for technical
assistance and case reviews
CIP working with agency to
improve permanency
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-7,487
115
2000
35.6
6,996
151
2001
-7,440
--
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
31.9
6,007
--
--
--
--
126,000
1,044
-------
-------
-------
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
-------
-------
-------
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
403
11
52
--
499
7
46
45
444
12
52
16
50,000
-48
88
617
-44
86
<1
49
37
12
2
--
<1
47
38
13
1
--
1
55
32
12
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
45
37
17
1
0
30
34
12
<1
<1
24
31
38
18
--12
32
28
31
--9
35
38
16
1
1
8
27
35
26
0
0
11
-----
58
23
19
0
62
25
13
0
59
17
23
0
61
26
13
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; approve adoptive
home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
X Exploring relatives’ homes
X
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Lengthy time to TPR, courts
X Increased number of petitions
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Appeals not timely
X Lack of homes, especially diverse
X Contracting with private agency
X Planning implemented
Delays in establishing goals, lack
of planning for juvenile justice
cases
Tracking not always working,
guardians not appointed for all
children
sometimes hesitant to TPR,
requirement that agency must
provide reunification services for
12 months before termination
homes and homes for special
needs children
Select adoptive home
PostAdoption
X Timely hearings, tracking system
for hearings
filed
X
Approve adoptive home
X Training delays, ICPC delays,
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X
delays in background checks
Placement in adoptive home for
12 months before finalization
X
to recruit minority families, use of
exchanges, media recruitment,
community college course on
adoption for interested families
Permanency planning committee
selects home
Planning to consolidate approval,
training and supervision
X Adoption assistance and
subsidies available
X Services provided for family and
child
X Gaps in services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Promising Approach
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Services available to all adoptive
families
X Multi-Disciplinary Treatment
Resources
X Lack of funding to implement
X
Case management
X
X
Resources
X
ASFA
Backlogs, continuances, difficulty
scheduling hearings
Lack of funds to address
backlogs
Teams, permanency planning
committee reviewing adoption
cases, collaboration with court
Permanency coordinator position,
reallocated staff to permanency
Committee with agency to
address systemic barriers
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-1,193
123
2000
2.5
1,098
181
2001
-1,023
192
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
3.5
886
--
950
939
918
126,000
3,117
1
40
46
13
<1
--
2
37
41
19
1
<1
4
34
36
25
1
--
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
67
27
6
----
68
26
6
----
62
32
5
----
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
33
8
66
--
103
20
75
71
117
18
54
97
50,000
-48
88
133
-45
92
-58
42
----
-58
32
10
---
2
51
36
10
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
38
38
23
1
0
39
52
6
--3
55
39
4
--2
62
28
10
----
35
38
16
1
1
8
61
29
10
0
0
0
-----
67
26
7
0
69
25
6
0
59
17
23
0
58
28
14
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Highlights
The District of Columbia 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.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – July 30, 2001
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Promising Approach
X Child Protection Mediation
Program prior to adjudication
Initiate concurrent planning
X Not occurring in reunification
Establish/change goal
X Lack of ongoing planning,
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Reluctance to file, reluctance to
X Diligent Search Unit in place
X Planning to prioritize TPR cases,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
X Lengthy appeals
X Consolidation of hearings to
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of adoptive families
X Recruitment process in place,
Select adoptive home
X Families hesitant to participate in
Approve adoptive home
X ICPC problems with Virginia and
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
Resources
cases
adoption not considered soon
enough
Not held in timely manner, lack of
clarity on roles of participants
TPR without adoptive home, not
processed in timely manner
X Increased efforts
X Hearing improvements
improved case processing
avoid appeal delays
award-wining Wednesday’s Child
program
high-risk placements
Maryland, lack of dual licensure,
homes not uniformly approved
Biological parents can appeal
TPR after adoption finalized
X Reduced time to home study,
planning to dually license homes
Contract to approve placements
X High caseloads, lack of complete
X Staff training, permanency
X
X Backlog of cases, judges not
X CIP’s Remedial Project reviewing
X
X
case plans, turnover
Staff shortage
consistently assigned to cases,
inconsistency of court report
formats
Lack of staff to file motions,
limited legal counsel and
assistance, insufficient legal
resources
staffing to review cases
cases, training provided, planning
to improve handling of child
welfare cases
Additional resources to address
backlogs, counsels provided to
judges, assigning judge to
adoption calendar
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-3,466
44
2000
9.3
3,054
--
2001
-3,339
--
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
18.2
3,321
--
--
1,086
1,148
126,000
1,178
-------
1
27
48
23
1
<1
1
21
45
32
2
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
-------
97
<1
1
--2
96
<1
1
--2
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
166
39
62
--
319
16
71
73
230
5
61
57
50,000
-48
88
252
-68
62
1
41
43
14
2
--
2
35
45
16
3
--
3
24
52
16
5
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
25
42
29
4
0
98
----2
97
1
2
--1
100
----<1
35
38
16
1
1
8
99
0
0
0
0
--
-----
70
8
22
1
80
0
20
0
59
17
23
0
73
<1
27
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; approve adoptive
home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
X Intensive relative searches
X Goals not established in timely
Hold hearing
Diligent search
X Delays in identifying absent
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Lack of timely filings for older and
X Timely filings, can file for TPR
Provide legal services
X Children not always routinely
X
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X More children needing homes
X Various media recruitment, use
manner and not clear to everyone
involved, lack of involvement of
pertinent parties
X Timely hearings, tracking system
parents
special-needs children
assigned a guardian ad litem
(GAL)
than available homes
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
of exchanges, targeted
recruitment, designated
recruitment staff, working with
private agency
out-of-state placements
X Paying court costs
X Health services for adopted
children, monthly cash subsidies
X Preparation services, supervising
placements during finalization,
contracts with out-of-state
agencies for placement services
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
early if parents show insufficient
efforts, court gives priority to TPR
cases
Legal services provided
X ICPC office effective at facilitating
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Resources
Case management
Resources
X Specialized adoption program
provides services throughout the
adoption process, children
without special needs referred to
private agency for adoption
X Crowded court docket
X Shortage of GALs
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-34,292
0
2000
58.3
36,608
0
2001
-32,477
3,720
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
74.2
31,963
--
4,610
5,395
7,850
126,000
8,126
4
32
37
24
3
1
3
33
35
26
4
1
4
35
30
26
4
<1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
50
44
5
<1
<1
1
49
36
11
<1
0
4
45
42
9
<1
0
4
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
1,355
44
47
--
1,629
22
45
50
1,493
30
53
63
50,000
-48
88
2,206
-52
66
1
47
35
16
2
--
1
49
34
14
2
--
2
51
32
13
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
52
29
16
2
--
40
48
11
<1
-1
35
45
15
-<1
5
34
47
13
<1
-6
35
38
16
1
1
8
36
50
9
0
0
5
-----
51
27
23
0
47
24
29
0
59
17
23
0
36
26
38
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
GEORGIA
Highlights
Georgia 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.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – July 16, 2001
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Promising Approach
X Early use of permanent homes
X Practice, use of foster-adopt
homes
Establish/change goal
X Appropriate goals not established
X Implementation of online case
Hold hearing
X
X Timely hearings
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Filing delays, lack of
X Increase in TPRs, TPR provision
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of homes, difficulty recruiting
X Contracts with private agencies,
Select adoptive home
X Foster parents not provided
X
Approve adoptive home
X Insufficient ICPC resources, state
X
in timely manner, stable cases
not given adequate attention
Permanency issues not always
adequately addressed
documentation of compelling
reasons
minority families,
information
reporting requirements differ, staff
attitudes on interstate placement,
arranging visits
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
Resources
plan
within ASFA time frames
developing statewide plan, media
efforts, targeted recruitment,
county recruitment accountability
Many foster parent adoptions,
cross-jurisdictional matching
meetings, contract to provide life
histories
Contracts for assessments and
placement supervision, contracts
for out-of-state adoptions, work
with South Carolina for
placements
X Contracts for services, training
for workers on child preparation
X Development of contracts for
community-based services
X Staff turnover, high caseloads
X Created Office of Adoption,
process streamlined, training
X Overbooked calendars, routine
continuances, crowded dockets
X Added one juvenile court judge in
each circuit
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-11,991
1,323
2000
45.3
11,024
1,511
2001
-13,175
1,545
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
53.1
13,149
--
2,713
2,875
4,329
126,000
3,254
5
27
36
27
4
1
4
31
35
26
4
--
3
32
33
29
4
--
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
59
31
5
<1
<1
5
60
31
3
0
<1
5
60
32
3
-<1
4
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
1,129
23
39
--
1,080
18
35
69
899
19
30
51
50,000
-48
88
934
-35
74
2
44
38
14
2
--
1
39
41
17
3
--
<1
45
36
17
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
44
34
18
3
--
55
42
2
-<1
2
56
36
2
-<1
6
48
37
6
-1
9
35
38
16
1
1
8
50
38
5
0
0
7
-----
73
17
10
0
75
17
8
0
59
17
23
0
75
15
11
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – July 14, 2003
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
Promising Approach
X Parents must share medical and
birth information when child is
taken into custody
X Inconsistency in use and
X
definitions
Not always appropriate or timely
X Concurrent planning required
X Timely hearings
X Delays in court processing,
X Timely filings and reasons
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy appeals process
X Lack of Hawaiian homes,
X Adoption Connection does some
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
X
delays in assessing and receiving
services, parents need more time
for treatment
contracted recruiter not focused
on viable placements
Too many children placed in nonHawaiian homes on mainland,
out-of-state considered before
cross-jurisdictional placements,
loss of culture for children
ICPC delays due to home studies
appropriate
recruitment, use of exchange
X Contracts for private home
studies, training provided by
Adoption Connection, dual
licensing, no new training for
foster parents to adopt
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Resources
Case management
Resources
X Training not always accessible,
case transfer delays
X Worker turnover
X Crowded dockets, continuances
X Training provided, streamlining
adoption process with courts,
effective decision-making model
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-2,205
1,102
2000
6.0
2,401
1,156
2001
-2,584
1,120
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
11.4
2,762
--
1,161
1,207
1,160
126,000
847
6
35
30
21
8
<1
8
32
29
24
7
<1
8
33
27
25
8
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
3
11
3
2
72
9
3
10
3
2
20*
20
3
8
2
1
20*
29
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
281
47
62
--
280
43
54
80
260
52
63
83
50,000
-48
88
349
-59
81
4
58
32
7
---
4
53
36
7
<1
--
5
54
27
12
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
5
57
26
11
1
--
4
13
1
1
80
<1
2
13
1
1
18 *
4
2
9
3
3
21 *
17
35
38
16
1
1
8
2
7
2
0
51
37
-----
44
0
56
0
48
0
52
0
59
17
23
0
47
1
51
<1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
*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.
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; hold hearing; and establish
adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
on parent’s rights, reunification
goal maintained for too long
X Court training
X Committee reviews of
permanency planning
X Reluctance to pursue TPR,
X Internal reviews of all proposed
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy appeals
X Lack homes for older children,
X Targeted recruitment, award-
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Insufficient training, waiting lists
Prepare/transition child and
family
X Timely hearings
particularly for older children;
parents given too much time
courts discourage recruitment
before TPR
Resources
Case management
Resources
TPRs, reduced wait time for filing
winning Wednesday’s Child
program
for home studies
X Accessing services is
X
problematic, lack of
transportation, tribes have trouble
accessing state services
Older children sometimes refuse
adoption, children unprepared,
workers lack knowledge on
preparing for adoption, lack of
services for older youth
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
X Not implemented consistently
X Courts delay changing goal, focus
Promising Approach
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Barrier
X Services now at regional offices
X Beginning statewide foster and
adoptive parent coalition, working
to improve regional capacity to
provide services
X High caseloads, lack of training
X Planning specialized adoption
X Inconsistency among judges and
X Supreme Court committee to
on adoption, delays in completing
paperwork, incomplete paperwork
decisions, continuances
training, decentralized adoption
services, partnership with court
reduce delays, electronic bench
guide, permanency training
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-959
13
2000
3.4
1,015
378
2001
-1,114
242
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
3.7
1,246
--
86
379
243
126,000
274
1
38
37
21
2
--
5
33
30
29
4
<1
<1
23
33
33
9
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
1
56
34
7
-2
3
76
9
11
<1
--
2
79
11
9
<1
--
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
107
19
71
--
140
18
47
73
132
34
66
79
50,000
-48
88
118
1
52
39
7
1
--
8
48
31
12
1
--
2
55
24
17
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
3
48
31
14
3
0
12
74
7
4
1
3
3
61
24
4
5
4
8
62
12
14
4
--
35
38
16
1
1
8
14
67
14
3
3
0
-----
30
60
10
0
42
36
22
0
59
17
23
0
38
41
21
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
54
78
ILLINOIS
Highlights
Illinois 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.
Illinois 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: 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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Prolonged pursuit of reunification,
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Need to locate parent earlier
X Inadequate case documentation,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X
X Lengthy appeals process
X Lack of homes, difficulty finding
X Delays in initial adjudication
parents given many chances to
comply, goals outdated because
only judge changes goals, use of
long-term foster care
X Timely hearings
right of incarcerated parent to be
present, hesitation to TPR without
home identified, lack of services
to fathers
Inconsistent provision for parents
homes for special-needs children
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
PostAdoption
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Resources
Case management
Resources
Promising Approach
X Targeted recruitment, media
campaigns
X Many foster care conversions,
use of cross-jurisdictional homes
X ICPC delays
X Expedited fingerprinting process,
improved training programs
X Availability of subsidies
X Counseling and legal services
X Need more orchestration and
X More families receiving adoption
X Delays transferring cases from
X Restructured courts, private
X Scheduling delays, continuances,
X Reforms to partnership with
evaluation of services
caseworker to adoption worker,
caseworker turnover
notice to parents not timely, lack
of coordination between court
divisions, attorney turnover
preservation services
agencies, and child welfare; use
of contracts
juvenile courts, state’s attorneys,
and other parties; CIP
implemented
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-34,327
16,651
2000
134.4
29,565
11,531
2001
-28,202
7,718
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
143.3
24,344
--
17,020
12,391
10,166
126,000
6,770
5
39
37
18
1
<1
5
38
36
20
1
<1
5
37
33
24
1
<1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
77
16
5
<1
<1
2
75
18
5
<1
<1
2
73
20
5
<1
<1
2
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
7,028
7
69
--
5,664
8
68
95
4,107
9
62
97
50,000
-48
88
3,585
-66
98
1
37
42
19
2
--
1
40
40
18
2
--
1
40
39
19
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
42
34
20
2
0
80
15
4
<1
<1
1
77
16
5
<1
<1
2
77
17
5
<1
0
2
35
38
16
1
1
8
72
20
5
0
0
2
-----
100
0
<1
0
100
0
0
0
59
17
23
0
100
0
<1
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Promising Approach
Identify placement
X Lack of early searches for fathers
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Not implemented consistently, not
Establish/change goal
X Plans not reflective of goals,
Hold hearing
X Backlogs
X ASFA compliant, hearings more
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Law to file TPR regardless of
X Timely filings and hearings
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X
X Delays with appeals
X Lack of diverse families to match
X Increased legal services
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Delays with home studies, long
X Strong ICPC
X Services scarce in rural areas
X Expanded use of subsidies and
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
Resources
Note: Statewide Assessment not available.
X Increased efforts to locate
relatives
defined and formalized
families not engaged in planning
child’s best interests
Attorney fees exceed funds
kids in care
time between training and
licensing, lack of disclosure of
child’s needs, families choose
private agencies
X
frequent than required, combined
review with permanency hearing
X Initiative to encourage cross-
county recruitment, tri-state
initiative with Ohio and Kentucky
availability of Medicaid
Older children refuse adoption,
mental health needs not met
X Lack of communication, staff
turnover
X Inexperienced workers
X Lack of communication, delays,
beliefs about timelines
X Added staff for hearings
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-8,933
1,408
2000
27.6
7,482
1,008
2001
-8,383
1,128
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
39.3
8,640
--
2,632
1,966
2,392
126,000
2,365
2
31
35
27
4
1
2
30
32
32
4
1
2
29
32
32
5
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
<1
<1
100
----
48
47
3
<1
-2
46
49
3
<1
<1
3
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
759
23
57
--
1,147
24
51
62
878
25
52
52
50,000
-48
88
920
-59
49
1
43
36
18
3
--
1
39
38
19
4
--
1
41
35
19
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
40
33
22
5
0
-<1
100
----
43
53
2
-<1
2
50
45
3
<1
-2
35
38
16
1
1
8
43
53
2
0
0
2
-----
39
46
15
0
30
52
18
0
59
17
23
0
33
48
19
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – May 19, 2003
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Barrier
X Plans not always put into practice
X Goals not listed in child’s file,
parents not given enough
services or sufficient time to work
toward reunification
Hold hearing
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
PostAdoption
X Lengthy paternity searches
X Timelines exceed ASFA
requirements
Courts
X Prioritization of custody and
placement of children cases
X No local recruitment, insufficient
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Home study backlog, ICPC
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
family team meetings, alternative
dispute resolution
of hearings, tracking and alert
system, judges focused on child
welfare issues
Recruit adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X Routinely used
X Establishing appropriate goals,
X Timely hearings, dates set at end
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Adoptive
Placement
Promising Approach
focus on targeted recruitment,
lack of diverse homes, lack of
timely registration on exchanges
X Efforts to find diverse families,
recruitment project for specialneeds children, use of exchanges
and out-of-state agencies
barriers and delays
X Financial and medical assistance
for special-needs adoptions
X
Lack of effective transitional
planning
X Contract with Iowa Foster and
Adoptive Parent Group to provide
support services
X Delays in assigning workers, high
Resources
X
Case management
X
Resources
X
caseloads, difficulty with adoption
of older children with special
needs
Loss of permanency resources
due to budget cuts
Continuances, crowded dockets,
delayed hearings, lengthy
decision making, varying views of
permanency and TPR
Lack of attorneys
X Mediation by CIP, prioritizing of
cases involving placement,
training, resource manual
provided to judges
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-4,854
922
2000
30.9
5,068
826
2001
-5,202
961
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
36.1
5,238
--
1,044
1,019
1,130
126,000
1,284
2
33
33
26
5
1
2
32
31
29
6
1
2
34
28
29
7
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
19
64
6
4
<1
7
18
64
5
3
1
10
14
66
6
3
<1
10
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
764
38
49
--
729
39
52
73
661
46
51
77
50,000
-48
88
871
-54
74
1
44
38
15
2
--
2
45
34
18
2
--
2
44
32
19
4
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
49
29
19
2
0
18
64
5
3
1
8
20
66
6
3
-5
21
63
6
3
1
6
35
38
16
1
1
8
19
66
7
2
1
6
-----
76
24
0
0
71
29
0
0
59
17
23
0
68
32
0
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; hold hearing; and establish
adoption subsidy/services.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – August 6, 2001
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Courts
warrants
X Adoption goal made early
X More hearings than required,
developing tickler system
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X TPR occurring too quickly and
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
X Lengthy process taking up to 18
Recruit adoptive home
X Shortage of homes for older and
may be inappropriate, concern
about creating legal orphans
Resources
Case management
Resources
X Timely filing of petitions, TPR
achieved early
months
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, crossjurisdictional process eased by
use of single contractor
X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
X Subsidy amount cut back,
Medicaid increasingly the only
service authorized
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Promising Approach
X Not occurring when case
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Barrier
X Availability of subsidies
X Preparation services
X Contractor provides postadoption services
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
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-6,774
987
2000
25.2
6,569
1,190
2001
-6,409
1,350
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
15.9
6,190
--
1,757
1,910
2,063
126,000
2,082
2
26
29
32
9
2
2
27
27
32
10
2
2
28
27
32
9
2
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
29
61
6
2
<1
3
29
60
7
1
<1
3
30
59
7
1
<1
3
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
566*
58
39
--
468
37
36
83
428
39
29
73
50,000
-48
88
450
-22
83
<1
39
35
22
4
--
-40
33
21
6
<1
-42
34
19
5
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
45
31
18
5
0
27
59
8
2
-4
28
59
5
2
1
5
20
72
3
1
-5
35
38
16
1
1
8
26
63
8
1
0
2
-----
57
16
27
0
66
13
21
1
59
17
23
0
61
13
26
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
* In 1999, the state miscoded contract agency adoptions as “private” adoptions, resulting in an under reporting of
adoptions by 250 or more.
KENTUCKY
Highlights
Kentucky 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.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Promising Approach
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Lack training and implementation
X Reluctance of some courts to
X Used to expedite permanency
X Frequent use of goal of adoption
Hold hearing
X
X Agency goal to have frequent
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Not timely, judicial reluctance to
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy appeals
X Lack of diverse homes; lack of
change goal from reunification or
grant permanent custody to
relatives
Not consistently timely, agency
tracks hearing rather than the
courts
case review conferences
grant TPR
homes for teenagers, sibling
groups, medically fragile children
and African-American youths
X Planning to address diversity,
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
X
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
Resources
special-needs program does
targeted recruitment and
promotes cross-jurisdictional
placements, use of media and
outreach, neighborhood-based
recruitment model
Change in caseworkers' attitudes
toward foster parent adoption,
use of cross-jurisdictional homes
Use of comprehensive
assessment and training services
X Adoption subsidies equal to
Prepare/transition child and
family
PostAdoption
for older children
X Staff turnover
X Crowded court dockets, delays in
scheduling
foster care payments, tuition
waiver for adopted children
Support networks, mentors,
tuition waiver bill for foster
children who are adopted
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-5,942
196
2000
16.1
6,017
121
2001
-6,165
52
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
18.9
6,814
--
1,789
2,018
1,932
126,000
1,932
2
32
36
27
3
<1
2
28
35
31
4
<1
2
26
31
36
6
<1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
29
65
<1
<1
-7
24
68
1
<1
-7
22
71
1
<1
-6
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
360
35
40
--
398
24
36
51
573
16
52
74
50,000
-48
88
552
-51
81
2
41
37
18
2
--
2
46
32
17
4
--
1
39
37
20
4
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
37
35
24
3
0
28
59
---13
36
58
2
<1
1
3
34
59
3
-<1
4
35
38
16
1
1
8
30
65
3
0
0
1
-----
58
42
1
<1
73
24
<1
0
59
17
23
0
69
31
<1
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; hold
hearing; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Delays in adjudication
X Required and effective
X Goals reviewed regularly by court
and agency
X Timely hearings, courts must
Diligent search
X
report continuances, adopted CIP
Bench Book on hearings
Court staff search for absent
parents
More TPRs occurring, TPRs
done in accordance with ASFA
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Delays due to lack of sufficient
X
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of homes for older children
X Diverse pool of homes, regional
services for parents or inability to
establish reasonable efforts
and those with many needs
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
X
Resources
Case management
Resources
and state plans, use of
exchanges
Use of cross-jurisdictional and
out-of-state homes
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
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Promising Approach
Hold hearing
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Barrier
X Subsidy provided
X Services for families, preparation
for children
X Services provided, resource
centers throughout state
X Delays in processing
documentation
X Liaison between court and
agency, initiative helped reduce
backlog
X CIP, training for judges, rules and
forms developed, compliance
reports required, liaison between
court and agency
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-5,581
375
2000
25.0
5,406
514
2001
-5,024
553
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
17.4
4,829
--
1,477
1,542
1,441
126,000
1,472
1
28
39
29
2
--
1
27
36
32
4
--
1
25
34
33
6
--
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
63
36
1
<1
-1
60
37
1
<1
-2
59
38
1
<1
<1
2
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
356
11
46
--
476
13
41
89
470
12
36
91
50,000
-48
88
487
-44
90
1
37
45
15
2
--
1
35
41
22
2
--
<1
38
41
17
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
41
37
18
3
0
64
34
<1
1
-1
60
37
1
<1
-2
58
39
<1
1
-2
35
38
16
1
1
8
58
46
1
0
0
2
-----
81
15
4
0
76
17
7
0
59
17
23
0
75
16
9
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and
establish adoption subsidy/services.
A promising approach of interest: Maine’s Adoption Guides project seeks to increase the number of specialneeds 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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Promising Approach
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Not implemented consistently
X Use of long-term foster care as a
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Lack searches for absent parents
X Lack of policies to promote open
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy appeals cause delays
X Lack of homes for special needs
X Effective general recruitment,
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Delays completing home studies
X
X Effective ICPC, service contracts
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
permanency goal, extension of
reunification goal, adoption for
youth not pursued, therapeutic
providers promote long-term
foster care to maintain payments
adoption, TPR hearings not
prioritized, compelling reasons
not documented, lack of services
prevents filing for TPR, some
judges not willing to TPR
children
numerous efforts in place, Cross
Agency Collaborative in place
Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
with other states
X Significant delays after TPR
X Adoption subsidies cut, lack of
services, needs not addressed
X Program that supplements
subsidies
X Program to provide services for
special-needs adoptions
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
X Insufficient training, paperwork
X Maine Adoption Guides
Resources
Case management
X
X Crowded dockets, waiting lists
X Committee of the Courts, training
Courts
Resources
delays, beliefs on adoption and
permanency, staff turnover
Lack of staff for recruiting
demonstration project to aid
adoptions, adoption tracking tool
X
provided, resource materials for
attorneys, court forms developed
Increased resources, new wired
chambers for children
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-3,154
688
2000
13.6
3,191
735
2001
-3,226
--
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
13.2
3,084
--
1,098
1,101
1,008
126,000
984
3
34
43
18
2
--
4
32
38
23
2
<1
3
30
36
28
2
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
3
90
1
2
<1
5
2
83
3
2
<1
10
2
78
3
2
<1
16
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
202
13
19
--
379
17
20
100
364
10
21
99
50,000
-48
88
285
-25
98
1
37
48
13
2
--
<1
46
40
14
1
--
3
46
34
15
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
46
32
21
1
0
2
92
1
5
-1
2
91
1
2
-4
3
87
1
1
1
9
35
38
16
1
1
8
1
77
2
3
0
16
-----
1
90
10
0
0
95
6
0
59
17
23
0
<1
85
15
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Exists in form not function
X Delays in establishing goals, goal
Hold hearing
X
Promising Approach
of reunification kept too long by
courts, no tracking system to
monitor cases, long-term foster
care goals used too often
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
X Mediation process implemented
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X
X Lengthy appeals process
X Reluctant to recruit until after
X Comprehensive plan for
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X
delays, not using provision to
waive “reasonable efforts”
Waiting lists for parents
TPR, lack of homes for children
with special needs, out-of-state
families not actively recruited
Lack of use of out-of-state
homes, particularly D.C.
Dual licensing not consistent,
ICPC delays
Delays in completing paperwork
for finalization
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
X Recruitment and use of out-of-
Courts
Case management
X
Resources
X
state resources impacted by
financial restraints
Continuances granted, proreunification philosophy
Lack of sufficient personnel
by CIP, TPR coordinator
employed by CIP
recruiting diverse families
X Dual licensing helpful, use of
ICPC
X Staff to assist in case
management hired by CIP
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-13,455
1,304
2000
18.7
13,113
1,693
2001
-12,564
1,749
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
1.0
12,026
--
2,806
3,076
3,302
126,000
3,007
1
28
41
26
4
1
2
28
38
29
4
1
1
28
34
30
5
2
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
79
19
1
<1
<1
1
80
18
1
-1
81
17
1
0
<1
1
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
592
24
50
--
548
14
54
98
815
16
45
98
50,000
-48
88
631
-51
98
1
41
41
16
1
--
2
36
46
15
1
--
1
43
39
16
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
43
37
18
2
0
72
27
<1
<1
<1
1
68
27
2
-1
2
73
22
2
-<1
3
35
38
16
1
1
8
73
23
1
0
0
2
-----
61
6
33
0
55
4
41
<1
59
17
23
0
51
3
46
<1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Promising Approach
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Lack of clarity in changing goals
Hold hearing
X Reports to prepare for hearings
X Timely hearings
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
X Delays in getting documentation,
X Effective process for filing TPRs
Provide legal services
X
X Long time to adjudication
for children in residential facilities
not distributed, hearings not
viewed as effective
Delays in locating absent parents
debate around how much time to
give parents
Lack of attorneys for parents and
children, attorneys not visiting
children
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Use of exchanges, aggressive
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
X ICPC delays with home studies
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X Difficulty accessing services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
Resources
and paperwork, difficulty
negotiating subsidies with ICPC
X
statewide campaign, looking at
non-traditional families as homes
Matching protocol, case meetings
to select matches
Increased funding for out-of-state
home studies, protocols
developed to eliminate barriers
X Paperwork delays, attorneys not
X Meetings to address systemic
X Continuances
X Committees to address court
visiting child clients
barriers
barriers to adoption
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-11,169
927
2000
37.2
11,619
897
2001
-11,568
720
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
51.2
12,529
--
3,278
3,147
2,912
126,000
3,098
3
40
41
16
1
<1
3
39
39
19
1
<1
3
40
37
19
1
<1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
20
44
25
<1
2
9
16
45
25
<1
2
12
14
42
26
<1
2
16
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
922
9
52
--
861
16
54
85
778
19
56
89
50,000
-48
88
808
-60
95
<1
45
42
13
1
--
1
48
37
13
1
--
1
49
33
16
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
49
33
16
1
0
24
52
21
<1
1
3
22
50
20
1
2
6
17
52
23
1
2
6
35
38
16
1
1
8
15
50
25
0
1
8
-----
99
0
1
0
99
0
1
0
59
17
23
0
99
0
1
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; approve adoptive
home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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 outof-state providers to provide placement services.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – September 9, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
X Hearings not held consistently, do
X Timely and appropriate goals
X CASA program, court case
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Concerns about creating legal
X Timely filings, decision to file
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Frequent and lengthy appeals
X Need more targeted recruitment,
X Contracts with private agency for
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Requirements are a barrier for
X
X Contracts for the provision of
X Difficulty obtaining subsidy
X Financial support and medical
of formal policy on planning
not always adequately address
permanency issues
orphans, TPR delays, judges lack
consistency around TPR
lack of diverse homes, lack of
homes for teens and children with
special needs
some families, ICPC process
slow
approval
tracking system
made at permanency hearing,
time frames exceed ASFA,
attorneys assist workers on TPR
recruitment, use of exchanges,
various media recruitment,
targeted recruitment efforts,
development of locality homes
Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
training, contracts with out-ofstate providers for placement
services
X
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Promising Approach
X Not well understood or used, lack
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
subsidies available for children
with special needs
Mentoring system in place
X Published service directory,
service provision contracts
X High caseloads
X Case reviews addressing barriers
Resources
X Redistributed adoption staff to
X
Case management
Resources
X
X
other areas, lack of needed staff
Continuances, crowded dockets
to adoption for individual children,
partnerships with private
agencies and tribes, changes to
documentation process
Planning to increase adoption
staff allocations
CIP, pilot mediation program
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-20,300
5,166
2000
129.7
20,034
5,226
2001
-20,896
6,174
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
162.4
21,251
--
8,495
7,745
7,839
126,000
6,874
6
36
34
20
3
1
6
33
32
24
4
2
6
32
30
26
5
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
-----100
-----100
4
4
<1
<1
-91
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
2,446
41
43
--
2,804
35
41
96
2,979
35
38
96
50,000
-48
88
2,826
-40
95
1
47
34
16
2
--
2
43
37
16
3
--
2
43
36
17
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
44
32
20
2
0
52
42
4
1
<1
1
50
41
4
1
<1
5
49
40
4
1
-6
35
38
16
1
1
8
43
46
4
1
0
5
-----
54
9
37
0
57
10
34
0
59
17
23
0
54
9
37
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and
establish adoption subsidy/services.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – May 14, 2001
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
Promising Approach
X Continued application
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)
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Use of newspapers, television,
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
PostAdoption
Barrier
Provide post-adoption services
X Subsidy lower than foster care
subsidy
brochures and Web sites;
Public/Private Adoption Initiative
(PPAI) to find homes for children
Seeking foster parents and
relatives, use of crossjurisdictional homes
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 Adoption assistance for extra
expenses for special-needs child
X Program that employs adoptive
X
parents to develop supports for
other adoptive families
Use of “parent liaisons”
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
X Training, permanence task force
X $3 million per fiscal year
Courts
X Experienced public defenders,
Case management
Resources
allocated to fund PPAI
county attorneys and GALs
typically stay with case
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-8,996
1,763
2000
27.6
8,530
1,480
2001
-8,167
1,332
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
32.4
8,052
--
2,147
1,839
1,670
126,000
1,618
4
29
35
24
7
2
3
26
32
28
8
3
3
24
29
31
10
3
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
31
44
6
8
1
9
31
44
6
8
<1
10
32
43
7
9
<1
10
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
633
28
26
--
614
30
25
99
567
36
29
99
50,000
-48
88
626
-27
99
2
40
42
16
1
--
2
41
39
18
<1
--
2
48
33
16
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
3
46
31
19
1
0
33
46
4
--17
29
48
4
--18
22
54
7
--16
35
38
16
1
1
8
22
54
9
0
0
15
-----
32
44
25
<1
32
41
26
<1
59
17
23
0
28
48
25
<1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; hold hearing; and establish
adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
X Not consistently implemented
X Goal not always given, goal of
X Required by state
Hold hearing
X Not always timely, SACWIS data
X Automated ticklers alert staff to
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
X Reluctance to TPR in kin cases or
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X No process to ensure recruitment
reunification maintained too long
not entered to allow for tracking,
different court structures hinder
uniform planning
Need to search earlier
to reflect ethnic and racial
diversity, regions do their own
recruitment plans, no system to
track or evaluate, Vietnamese
and Hispanic placements needed
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Resources
X Homes found by placement
committee across jurisdictional
boundaries; approved parents
interact with available children
through television, radio, Web
sites and picnics
X Evaluating more relative and
foster homes for adoption
X Subsidy is helpful
X Pre- and post-adoption
therapeutic services, help with
access to mental health services
X See prepare/transition child and
family above
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
due dates
if parent is involved
Select adoptive home
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Training needed, large caseloads
X Staff shortages
X Training needed; delays with
X
paperwork, serving parties and
appointing legal counsel; large
backlog; scheduling difficulties
Lack of administrative resources,
lack of legal counsel
X Committee to review cases and
help expedite permanency
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-3,196
289
2000
4.5
3,292
256
2001
-3,443
240
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
5.2
2,686
--
2005
2094
1582
126,000
3,117
2
21
34
28
12
4
1
23
31
29
11
5
1
19
30
30
13
7
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
69
31
<1
-<1
<1
69
31
--<1
--
64
36
<1
----
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
237
9
52
----
288
18
54
89
266
17
54
82
50,000
-48
88
216
-62
65
1
33
47
19
1
--
1
33
43
18
4
--
-42
37
19
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
37
33
24
6
0
49
49
--2
<1
55
44
<1
----
63
37
--<1
--
35
38
16
1
1
8
51
46
2
0
1
0
-----
74
26
<1
0
65
30
1
4
59
17
23
0
-----
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
MISSOURI
Highlights
Missouri 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.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Hold hearing
X Lack of process to track, hearings
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Search for fathers delayed
X Filings not timely, often need
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
X
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of homes for older and
X
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Multiple steps and delays in ICPC
X
X Extensive and specialized
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Promising Approach
X Not occurring
X Reluctance to make goal
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
adoption, focused on reunification
may be "paper" reviews
adoptive family identified, judicial
hesitancy if insufficient services
Lack of legal services for parents
X Appeals court mandated by
special-needs children, no
statewide recruitment plan,
recruitment not conducted all year
due to limited funds
processing impact timeliness
statute hears TPR appeals
quickly
Contracts to recruit for specialneeds children, partnering with
an adoption exchange to recruit
for minority children, team finding
homes throughout state
Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
training for adoptive parents
X Subsidies lower than foster care
subsidy, delays in finalization of
subsidies across jurisdictions
X Post-adoption services no longer
available due to budget cuts
X Belief that special-needs children
X Data sharing with courts to track
Resources
X
X
Case management
X Lack of communication and role
Resources
not adoptable, worker turnover,
poor communication and role
clarity with court
Resources issues due to budget
cuts; staff shortages
clarity with agency, judicial bias
for reunification
X
hearings, planning TPR review
tool, protocol to access legal
resources
Grant for recruitment and
training, seeking additional
resources for legal representation
Court's Bench Book of best
practices improved judiciary
focus on permanency planning
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-12,577
2,150
2000
22.3
13,181
1,527
2001
-13,349
1,612
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
35.6
13,052
--
581
520
510
126,000
816
2
28
35
28
5
1
2
27
34
32
5
1
2
26
32
35
5
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
43
55
1
<1
<1
<1
47
51
1
<1
<1
1
45
53
1
<1
<1
<1
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
849
24
60
--
1,265
25
68
93
1,102
29
66
96
50,000
-48
88
1,542
-71
95
1
45
33
17
4
--
2
42
35
17
3
--
3
47
32
16
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
3
43
32
19
3
0
40
58
1
1
<1
<1
39
58
1
1
<1
1
39
59
2
<1
-<1
35
38
16
1
1
8
37
60
2
0
0
0
-----
67
8
24
1
72
5
22
1
59
17
23
0
67
9
24
1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and
establish adoption subsidy/services.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – August 19, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Lack of families to take
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
X Inconsistency in timely hearings,
concurrent placements
courts and attorneys not sold on
purpose of hearings, only held if
TPR is planned, continuances
X Monthly TPR notification reports
sent, timely TPR filings
X Numerous and lengthy appeals
X Few homes for older and special-
needs children, need more Native
American homes
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
Resources
Case management
Resources
X Various recruitment strategies,
X
circulate child’s social histories
around state, use of exchanges
Part of Interstate Coalition to
share information
New training curriculum,
contracts to provide services in
other states, specialized training,
contracts for home studies
X Training may not prepare families
X
X Certain funds for foster children
X Subsides for hard-to-place
adequately and not provided
consistently, workloads cause
assessment delays
not available after adoption,
subsidy rates are lower than
foster care rates
children
X Transition plan developed and
implemented for each child
X
Lack of services, services for
foster children not available after
adoption, high rate of disruptions
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
X Consistently implemented
X Family group decision making
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
Promising Approach
X Permanency planning teams in
X Lack of staff
place, efforts to create a Native
American adoption agency
Regional Permanency Specialists
X
X Child Protection Unit works with
courts to finalize adoptions
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-2,156
690
2000
4.4
2,180
717
2001
-2,008
631
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
7.0
1,912
--
3,143
3,131
3,015
126,000
2,907
2
25
28
33
11
1
3
25
29
31
10
2
2
25
30
32
11
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
2
70
4
19
1
4
3
66
5
23
<1
3
2
65
5
25
<1
3
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
188
33
42
--
238
42
48
83
275
32
40
90
50,000
-48
88
234
-41
93
2
46
30
19
3
--
1
53
29
16
2
--
3
42
33
19
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
45
36
18
1
0
1
73
2
19
1
4
<1
72
7
14
<1
6
4
67
7
22
---
35
38
16
1
1
8
2
71
8
18
0
0
-----
78
3
20
0
76
1
23
0
59
17
23
0
86
2
12
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
NEBRASKA
Highlights
Nebraska 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.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
X Tendency to establish
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
X Delays in filing for TPR,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Not effectively utilizing targeted
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Delays in conducting home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Resources
Case management
Resources
guardianship rather than adoption
as a case goal, goals not
routinely reassessed for
appropriateness
Timely hearings inconsistent due
to continuances
Lack of paternity identification
unwillingness to consider open
adoptions, hesitancy to pursue
TPR, tribal preferences
Promising Approach
X Timely hearings held
X Permanency promoted by
mediation
recruitment strategies, use of
registries lacking
X
studies, lack of thorough training
for potential adoptive families,
lengthy ICPC process
Delays in obtaining finalization
X Contracts for home studies
X Many children eligible for
subsidies and services
X Post-adoption services are
lacking
X Poor casework practice,
X Coordination with courts, some
X Data system issues
X Continuances frequently granted
X CIP, collaboration with agency
specialized adoption workers
need additional adoption training
counties have contracts with
private agencies for the provision
of various services
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-5,146
231
2000
8.6
5,674
258
2001
-6,254
199
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
9.1
6,430
--
437
488
352
126,000
410
4
39
35
19
3
<1
4
35
37
21
2
2
2
33
39
22
4
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
17
64
11
5
<1
2
20
61
10
8
<1
2
22
58
10
9
<1
2
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
279
43
38
--
293
18
56
74
292
5
51
69
50,000
-48
88
308
-57
75
1
43
41
13
2
--
-42
41
16
2
--
1
43
34
19
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
49
35
14
2
0
19
70
7
2
-1
22
68
4
4
-2
16
69
8
5
<1
2
35
38
16
1
1
8
15
69
9
5
0
2
-----
15
37
48
0
13
40
47
0
59
17
23
0
44
11
39
7
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
children with likely goal of
adoption
X Not well understood, focus is
Establish/change goal
X Older children (14+) must consent
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Delays in filing, reluctance to
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
linear
to adoption goal before changed,
slow goal change
Inadequate information in case
plans
Resources
X Timely hearings, scheduling
improvements
seek TPR without adoptive home
X Lack of representation for parties
X Lack of Spanish-speaking and
X Expedited and timely appeals
X Materials translated into Spanish,
X ICPC barriers, other states
X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
X Spanish-speaking trainers,
X
X Support provided by Adoption
Hispanic homes, lack of homes
for therapeutic and older youth
refusing to provide services or will
not do “free” case management
Not working toward adoption with
older children, lack of policies to
prepare children
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
Promising Approach
X Use of foster-adopt homes for
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
use of exchanges and media
service agreements in other
states
Buddy System
X Support provided by Adoption
Buddy System
X Slow paperwork
X No uniform court tracking system,
coordination of calendars,
X Shortage of attorneys
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
----
2000
4.0
1,615
67
2001
-2,959
131
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
7.0
3,018
--
--
--
593
126,000
536
-------
-------
2
30
33
27
7
2
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
-------
-------
25
57
7
1
2
9
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
123
-33
--
231
-28
83
243
21
28
95
50,000
-48
88
251
-36
96
3
56
28
13
---
3
60
26
10
2
--
1
61
26
12
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
48
34
16
1
0
17
75
7
1
-1
23
60
13
1
1
2
23
62
12
1
2
--
35
38
16
1
1
8
26
56
9
0
3
5
-----
62
20
18
0
80
6
14
0
59
17
23
0
67
12
21
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – June 9, 2003
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
X Delays in initiating TPR process,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy and numerous appeals
X Language and ethnicity barriers in
X Implemented and effective
Appropriate goals not timely,
delays in service provision
Often become full evidentiary
hearings, judges reluctant to
finalize permanent plans
Lack of search for absent parents
refusal to TPR without adoptive
home, parents given extra time,
lengthy trials, high standards of
“beyond reasonable doubt”
recruitment, no recruitment until
TPR
X Community partners, targeted
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
recruitment, statewide and out-ofstate efforts, use of exchanges
Collaborative effort to share
homes with private agencies
Distance learning courses, no
additional home study needed for
foster parent adoptions, new
training curriculum for adoptive
parents, ICPC manual for courts
X Services provided, transition to
adoption course offered
X Collaborating with private agency
to provide services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Promising Approach
X Lack of birth family social studies
X Delays in adjudication hearings
X Permanency team reviewing
Resources
Case management
X Staffing shortages
X Crowded dockets, some probate
Resources
X
courts part time, continuances,
attorney conflicts, ASFA viewed
as non-applicable to court,
attorney turnover, lack of attorney
preparation
Lack of judges and attorneys
cases, central adoption program,
working with court, case sharing
Plan to hire staff
X
X CIP protocols, training for judges,
collaboration with agency to
improve permanency timelines
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-1,385
257
2000
2.2
1,311
195
2001
-1,288
122
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
2.9
1,291
--
289
283
230
126,000
1,947
5
45
40
10
1
--
2
39
42
16
1
<1
2
32
39
24
3
--
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
2
89
3
1
-5
1
87
5
1
-6
1
86
7
1
-5
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
62
11
66
--
97
13
66
76
95
5
65
88
50,000
-48
88
114
-67
97
-48
40
10
2
--
1
44
45
8
1
--
-47
40
12
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
33
37
26
2
0
-87
7
--6
2
86
8
-3
1
3
88
5
-1
2
35
38
16
1
1
8
1
90
1
0
1
6
-----
76
8
16
0
81
16
3
0
59
17
23
0
78
14
8
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
NEW JERSEY
Highlights
New Jersey 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.
New Jersey 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: 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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X No formal planning, lack of clarity
X Not established in timely manner,
X Fost-Adopt program in place
X Revisiting goals for older children
Hold hearing
X Not timely, families lack input
X Planning training for staff on
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Delays filing and scheduling
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
X
X Lengthy and numerous appeals,
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of homes for children with
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X Lack of early search for fathers
goal of reunification held too long,
working with families
TPRs, reluctance to grant without
adoptive home, open adoptions
not promoted, parent evaluations
delayed, lack of reasonable effort
Lack of attorneys
no deadlines for decisions
behavioral issues, lack of agency
responsiveness to inquiries
Lack of support for relatives who
want to adopt, available kids not
wanted by approved families
Child maltreatment in potential
adoptive homes, ICPC barriers
X Lack of medical insurance
X
X Efforts to find homes for longestwaiting children, targeted
recruitment
X Foster parents given preference,
funding families to visit New
Jersey kids
X Adoption subsidy available
Barriers to accessing services,
lack of pre-adoptive services
X Services not available statewide
X Services and supports provided
X Language barriers, large
X Restructuring to one worker/one
Resources
X Lack of staff
X
Case management
X Crowded dockets, judges do not
X
Resources
X
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
caseloads, incomplete
paperwork, case transfer delays,
worker turnover
adhere to ASFA, continuances
Lack of attorneys
family model, permanency
training, cooperation with court
technical assistance provided by
permanency units
Planning for adoption specialist in
each office
Education for judges on ASFA,
cooperation with agency
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-9,494
3,655
2000
46.4
9,794
4,129
2001
-10,666
4,905
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
42.1
11,442
--
4,427
5,032
5,618
126,000
5,752
4
41
30
18
6
1
4
40
30
20
5
1
6
39
29
20
5
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
71
18
8
1
<1
3
69
18
7
1
<1
5
68
18
7
<1
<1
6
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
732
15
62
--
832
14
58
90
1,028
16
53
90
50,000
-48
88
1,365
-43
93
1
59
30
10
<1
--
1
58
30
10
2
--
1
57
30
12
<1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
57
29
12
1
0
65
22
9
<1
<1
3
66
22
7
1
-5
66
21
7
1
<1
6
35
38
16
1
1
8
65
21
7
0
0
7
-----
80
20
0
0
80
20
0
0
59
17
23
0
83
17
0
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; hold
hearing; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – August 27, 2001
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Working to allow children’s court
to finalize adoption as part of
abuse/neglect proceedings
Planning full implementation
X Inappropriate goals, all
stakeholders not involved
X Parents given too much time
X TPR timely, relinquishment
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of attorneys
X Large number of appeals
X Lack of Native American homes,
X Contracts for recruitment, varied
X Timely, consolidated hearings
lack of homes for older and
special-needs children, fewer
homes for more kids with goal of
adoption
counseling offered
X
Approve adoptive home
X Lengthy ICPC process, time
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
X Families must hire own attorney
frames for home studies too long
X Low subsidy for therapeutic care
cases, challenge negotiating
subsidies, lack of attorneys
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
X
X Goal of adoption set early
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
Select adoptive home
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X
recruitment efforts, targeted
recruitment, use of exchanges,
bilingual materials, coordination
with other states
Successful utilization of relative
adoptions and keeping sibling
groups together
Contracts for training, licensed
social workers contracted to do
home studies, addressing ICPC
issues
X Legislation to allow agency to
X
negotiate higher subsidy rates,
proposal to eliminate subsidy
means tests
Contracts for support to families
X Services provided, including
family preservation
X Staff turnover
X Adoption Obstacle Removal
Resources
X High vacancy rates
X
Case management
X Crowded dockets, high caseloads
X
Resources
X
X
for attorneys, scheduling delays
Lack of attorneys, inadequate
compensation for attorneys
Team to address barriers,
training provided
Taking steps to address staffing
issues
Consent decree affects
permanency, training provided
More funds for GALs
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-1,941
53
2000
12.0
1,912
22
2001
-1,757
14
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
14.4
1,885
--
878
822
668
126,000
516
2
32
42
23
1
--
2
31
37
29
2
--
2
29
38
30
2
--
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
9
26
59
6
<1
1
8
28
56
6
<1
2
9
25
57
7
-3
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
258
71
51
--
347
20
52
83
369
27
56
89
50,000
-48
88
275
-63
87
1
33
46
17
3
--
1
47
38
14
<1
--
1
37
43
17
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
47
33
18
1
0
-46
54
----
4
30
59
1
4
2
6
34
56
4
<1
1
35
38
16
1
1
8
7
30
56
3
0
4
-----
2
66
32
0
5
62
33
0
59
17
23
0
28
45
27
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – June 18, 2001
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
X Delays in decision making
X Not timely, may take place before
Diligent search
X Need to search for birth parents
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Process takes significant time
X Lack of adoptive families
Select adoptive home
X Not sought early enough, potential
X Disposition often delayed months
X Working to implement
fact finding hearing
sooner and discuss voluntary
surrenders
Meeting standards for timeliness
not facilitated by laws and
regulations, termination for
siblings with different fathers takes
time, lack of documentation
homes need more information,
kinship caregivers hesitant
Approve adoptive home
PostAdoption
Courts
birth fathers and involve them
X Outreach, media, adoption fairs;
automated photo listing process;
regional adoption specialists
X Many foster parents adopt
adoptive parents, background
check process improved
X Court procedures take too long
Provide post-adoption services
X
Resources
Case management
Resources
X Implementing strategies to locate
X Well-regarded training for
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Promising Approach
X Services not as generous as they
are for foster children
X
Some children not prepared,
families need to know about
child’s history and problems
Need for more after care, better
referrals and follow-up
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
Staffing shortages
X
X Litigious culture
X Shortage of judges
X Services provided
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
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-51,159
14,707
2000
280.2
47,118
12,519
2001
-43,365
8,559
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
383.8
40,753
--
18,762
17,325
14,840
126,000
14,760
2
32
36
26
3
1
2
32
35
28
3
1
1
30
35
30
4
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
49
12
14
<1
<1
25
48
12
15
<1
<1
25
48
11
15
<1
<1
25
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
4,864
3
28
--
4,234
5
33
98
3,934
6
40
98
50,000
-48
88
3,160
-38
97
<1
28
41
25
5
0
<1
32
38
26
4
--
1
34
37
25
4
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
33
37
25
4
0
50
11
14
<1
<1
25
47
12
13
<1
<1
29
46
13
14
<1
<1
27
35
38
16
1
1
8
45
15
15
0
0
25
-----
-----
-----
59
17
23
0
-----
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse / neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish / change goal
Hold hearing
X Hearings timely, automated
system provides timeline alerts
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Locating and serving parents
X No state law for time from filing to
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X
termination
Services for parents needed
X Not pursued until after TPR
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Adoption subsidy / establish
services
PostAdoption
Prepare / transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case Management
Welfare
Courts
Promising Approaches
X Filing timely, case information
tracked
X Recruitment efforts; contracts for
X
X
X Additional services needed (i.e.
college tuition)
recruiting; use of exchanges,
website, media
Staff work with crossjurisdictional state agencies
Better communication between
agency and courts
X Subsidy increased, special
adoption fund to aid special
needs adoptions
X Services needed
X Belief that adoption difficult for
X Designation and training of
Resources
X Agency lacks counsel
X
Case Management
X Belief that adoption difficult for
X
Resources
X Limited time
older children
older children, training for judges
needed, continuances
adoption staff, caseworker
continuity, contracts, permanency
review committees, agency
initiatives
Special adoption funds, have
staff attorneys
Judicial continuity, court
improvement project, pilot
mediation project, fewer
continuances, GAL program
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parental rights have been terminated
1999
-11,339
1,757
2000
20.0
10,847
2,134
2001
-10,130
2,047
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
30.6
9,527
--
3,603
3,715
3,337
126,000
3,133
3
31
34
26
5
1
3
30
32
29
7
1
3
28
30
32
8
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
54
39
6
1
<1
1
54
37
6
2
<1
1
52
39
5
2
<1
2
45
34
12
2
0*
6
-------
949
26
57
--
1,337
28
53
93
1,327
30
57
93
50,000
-48
88
1,324
-62
98
4
46
32
16
2
--
4
45
34
15
2
<1
4
45
30
18
3
1
2
46
34
16
2
--
3
47
28
19
3
0
52
42
4
1
1
1
45
43
7
1
1
4
48
37
6
2
1
7
35
38
16
1
1
8
44
41
6
1
1
7
-----
56
25
19
<1
50
26
25
<1
59
17
23
0
56
23
21
<1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race / Ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian / Alaska Native
Asian / Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian
Unknown / Two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race / ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian / Alaska Native
Asian / Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian
Unknown / Two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
* 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.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
X Practiced when appropriate
X Timely and appropriate goals
Hold hearing
X Holds hearings in timely manner,
established
tracking system
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Delays in filing, delays also occur
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X
X Delays getting decisions
X No targeted recruitment strategy
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Adoption subsidy / establish
services
Prepare / transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
when working with tribes,
hesitancy to TPR
Requests by parents
for Native American families, local
resistance to using internet and
other forms of national
recruitment
X Agency has contributed extra
resources to enhance recruitment
X Use cross-jurisdictional homes
X Lack of available services and
accessible services in rural areas
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case Management
Welfare
X Caseload standards have caused
Resources
Case Management
X Contract needs more resources
X Judges are not sufficiently trained
Resources
X
Courts
Promising Approach
Identify placement
Finding of abuse / neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish / change goal
a waiting list of children and
families to be served
regarding permanency issues,
district courts not accountable for
timeliness, delays in scheduling
Fixed number of judges
X Adoption caseload standards
have been implemented, new
Guardian Ad Litem program that
focuses on permanency for
children
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parental rights have been terminated
1999
-1,143
332
2000
2.7
1,129
262
2001
-1,167
191
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
4.6
1,197
--
409
343
322
126,000
340
22
30
26
20
1
1
15
32
22
26
4
<1
14
28
25
27
6
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
5
64
3
25
2
1
3
62
4
26
3
2
3
59
3
31
2
2
45
34
12
2
0*
6
-------
139
44
73
--
105
27
69
32
145
36
56
63
50,000
-48
88
137
-60
51
48
32
14
4
1
--
42
34
18
5
1
--
28
32
21
13
6
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
37
36
15
11
1
0
5
73
7
14
---
4
79
5
10
-3
5
66
4
23
-1
35
38
16
1
1
8
6
66
7
9
0
12
-----
31
66
3
0
59
41
0
0
59
17
23
0
47
53
0
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race / Ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian / Alaska Native
Asian / Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian
Unknown / Two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race / ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian / Alaska Native
Asian / Pacific Islander / Native Hawaiian
Unknown / Two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
* 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.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – May 20, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Barrier
X Little evidence in practice
X Use of goal of long-term foster
care as permanency option
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
X Hearings not timely
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of homes for special-needs
Courts
Resources
Case management
Resources
permanency for children by
agency, family group
conferencing
X Delays due to frequency and
length of appealed cases
children, lack of adoptive homes
that reflect ethnic and racial
diversity of children
X Use of registries, recruitment
X
initiative to target families for
children with special needs,
enlisting private agencies
Using cross-jurisdictional homes
X Allowing local offices to
determine parameters for Title
IV-E Adoption Assistance
eligibility requirements
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
X Aggressive pursuit of
X Timely filing of TPRs
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X Providing post-adoption services,
providing funding for respite care
X Lack of coordination with courts,
inability to systematically track
cases through adoption process
X Lack of coordination with agency,
crowded court dockets,
continuances
X Pool of experienced judges
available for assignment to courts
upon request
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-20,078
590
2000
124.1
20,365
3,035
2001
-21,584
4,919
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
267.1
21,012
--
3,476
4,439
5,929
126,000
5,738
3
28
30
31
7
2
3
27
29
31
8
2
3
27
28
31
9
2
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
<1
<1
<1
--99
48
44
2
<1
-6
54
38
3
<1
<1
5
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
1,868
-56
--
2,044
29
41
92
2,230
26
35
96
50,000
-48
88
2,396
-39
96
7
49
29
13
2
--
6
48
29
14
3
--
5
47
30
15
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
4
44
29
20
3
0
51
47
<1
<1
<1
2
43
46
4
<1
<1
8
45
45
3
0
<1
7
35
38
16
1
1
8
46
44
3
0
0
8
-----
67
16
18
0
65
18
16
0
59
17
23
0
68
16
16
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and
establish adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
X Adjudication slowed by jury trials,
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X
X Reunification goal maintained for
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Lack of a thorough hearing
X Fathers not identified and located
X Parents entitled to jury trial,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy appeals process
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
PostAdoption
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
hearings can be postponed if
there is an ongoing criminal case
Not implemented consistently
too long
minimal use of exceptions
X Process in place for obtaining
TPRs in accordance with ASFA
X Targeted recruitment strategies
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
X
Children not ready for adoption
X Resource library, retreats,
referral information
X Communication gaps between
Resources
X
Case management
X
Resources
Promising Approach
adoption and permanency
workers, lack of understanding of
the adoption process
Delays in making appropriate
changes to permanency goals
due to worker turnover
Continuances, scheduling delays
for ICWA, inexperienced
attorneys
X Partnerships with outside
agencies for adoption purposes
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-8,173
25
2000
17.8
8,406
18
2001
-8,674
--
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
21.8
8,812
--
1,832
1,767
2,390
126,000
2,435
3
30
33
30
4
<1
3
29
33
31
4
1
3
32
31
29
5
0
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
31
49
5
14
<1
1
25
47
4
11
-12
25
46
5
11
-14
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
825
28
41
--
1,067
31
46
99
956
25
49
99
50,000
-48
88
987
-53
95
2
39
37
19
3
--
1
41
35
19
4
--
1
40
37
20
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
46
32
18
3
0
23
57
4
10
<1
7
25
51
7
12
1
5
18
58
5
11
1
7
35
38
16
1
1
8
19
53
4
12
0
12
-----
42
24
35
<1
36
21
43
0
59
17
23
0
43
15
42
1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2000 – June 4, 2001
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Lack of staff, lack of worker
Establish/change goal
X
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
X
X TPR referral packets, compelling
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
X Appeals delays, increase in
Recruit adoptive home
X Children with significant special
training, linear planning
Plan influenced by available
placements and perception of
court, goals not reexamined
Not always timely, lack of training
Lack of staff training
reasons not understood
needs viewed as unadoptable,
recruiting may not begin until
legally freed
Courts
X Mediation and voluntary
relinquishments, process in place
X Initiatives to place longest-waiting
X
Approve adoptive home
X Home study delays, paperwork
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
X Lack of urgency to finalize
children, diligent recruitment
program, use of regional
exchanges
Family selection process, project
for out-of-state adoptions
delays
adoptions post-TPR
X Subsidy less than foster care
subsidy, subsidy applications
complicated
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
X Improved planning
appeals
Select adoptive home
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X Staff hired for adoption
assistance applications
X Contract to establish postadoption resources center
X Paperwork delays, problems in
X Adoption program centrally
Resources
X
X
Case management
X
Resources
X
case flow between offices, high
caseloads, lack of training, need
staff realignment, tracking issues
Added staff positions ending, lack
of legal representation for agency
Crowded court calendars,
backlogs, continuances, lack of
training, scheduling problems
Lack of consistency in appointing
attorneys for children, lack of
Attorney General involvement
prior to TPR
administered, state legal and
placement specialists provide
assistance
Additional staff in place
X Bench Book developed by CIP,
training provided by CIP, Legal
Assistance Program
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-9,278
--
2000
29.5
9,193
--
2001
-8,966
--
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
31.3
9,101
--
3,000
3,150
2,680
126,000
2,518
6
46
36
12
<1
<1
5
47
35
12
1
<1
4
48
34
13
1
0
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
11
62
8
3
1
15
10
60
9
3
1
18
10
59
10
3
1
18
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
765
9
44
--
831
12
47
98
1,071
12
49
99
50,000
-48
88
1,115
-51
99
<1
47
40
11
1
--
<1
51
34
14
1
--
<1
48
35
15
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
52
33
14
1
0
--12
--88
12
71
12
4
1
1
8
71
13
4
<1
3
35
38
16
1
1
8
8
67
15
1
1
7
-----
31
36
33
0
34
30
37
0
59
17
23
0
37
26
37
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – August 26, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Not implemented consistently,
Establish/change goal
X
judges lack understanding of
process
Delays in goal change, adoption
not pursued for younger children
who express disinterest
Hold hearing
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
X Timely hearings, tracking
systems
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Delays in searches
X Failure to pursue TPR in timely
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X
X Lengthy appeals
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
manner, “pro-reunification
mentality, TPR not filed without
adoptive home
Lack of guardians and attorneys
X Increased efforts to find parents
X Project to address termination
barriers through protocols and
policies
X Various media and targeted
recruitment, use of exchanges,
hotlines addressing language
barriers
Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
X Home study delays, no dual
X
X Network of agencies licensed to
X Misperception about services,
X Statewide staff and adoptive
licensing, no separate training for
adoptive parents
subsidies differ from foster care
do evaluations in other counties
and states
parent education on subsidies
X Services to prepare children for
adoption
X Not consistently available in all
X Services provided, peer support
X Belief that older children are
X Permanency training, network to
counties, accessibility issues
unadoptable, views against TPR
and adoption
programs
X
Resources
Courts
Promising Approach
serve children and prospective
adoptive families, permanency
roundtables reviewing cases
Adoption library of laws, policies
and best practices
Training provided
Case management
X Crowded dockets, continuances,
X
Resources
X
X Increased resources
belief that older children are
unadoptable, involvement of
multiple judges and attorneys
Lack of attorneys and GALs
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-22,690
846
2000
67.9
21,631
1,008
2001
-21,237
942
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
78.3
21,434
--
4,891
5,210
4,808
126,000
4,240
2
32
38
24
4
1
2
31
37
26
4
1
2
30
35
28
5
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
54
32
12
0
1
<1
57
32
10
<1
1
<1
56
33
10
<1
<1
<1
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
1,454
18
62
--
1,712
16
57
93
1,564
19
61
90
50,000
-48
88
2,020
-58
69
1
44
38
15
2
--
1
40
39
18
3
--
1
43
33
19
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
41
35
20
3
0
57
37
5
<1
<1
1
56
37
7
<1
<1
1
46
44
9
<1
1
<1
35
38
16
1
1
8
53
38
8
0
0
0
-----
44
50
6
<1
58
37
5
0
59
17
23
0
77
18
5
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
RHODE ISLAND
Highlights
Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island 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: 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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X Lack of foster homes willing to
Establish/change goal
X
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Reluctance to seek TPR for older
X Expedited filing of TPRs,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X
X Lengthy appeals process
X Lack of homes to meet childrens’
X Appeals reduced by mediation
X Contracts for recruitment, use of
Select adoptive home
X
X Adoption staff helping
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
X
X Services not always available
X Adoption Rhode Island contract
Prepare/transition child and
family
X
X
Provide post-adoption services
X Supports needed
X
X Underutilization of Adoption
X Family-centered practice
Resources
X
X
Case management
X Crowded dockets, older children
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Resources
participate, not implemented
statewide
Extending goal of reunification,
inappropriate goals
Not always held unless contested
decisions, not timely
children, refusal to TPR without
adoptive home, delays in filing,
not adhering to timelines
Lack of legal services for agency
needs, reluctance to use outside
placements and exchanges
Delays in identifying children who
need a home
ICPC delays
Waiting lists for services for
families
Rhode Island, older children
viewed as unadoptable, lack of
collaboration with courts
Lack of staff
viewed as unadoptable, lack of
collaboration with agency
X Training for all foster parents ,
implementation of service model
X Transportation to hearings
mediation process for voluntary
relinquishment, approval of open
adoptions
targeted recruitment
caseworkers with placement
X Dual training of parents
to provide services, adoption
subsidies provided
Support staff for families, training
for mental health providers,
preparation services for children
Community agencies offer
support programs
implemented, partnership with
Adoption Rhode Island, training
for staff, policy committee
Adoption support staff, added
staff to Adoption and Foster Care
Preparation Unit
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-2,621
87
2000
9.0
2,302
238
2001
-2,414
253
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
10.1
2,383
--
339
399
409
126,000
397
2
35
37
25
2
--
1
28
33
34
3
1
1
31
29
33
5
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
32
45
13
1
1
7
28
47
19
1
2
3
30
50
16
1
1
3
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
292
30
81
--
260
38
78
100
267
44
78
100
50,000
-48
88
256
-80
99
1
45
37
14
2
--
2
52
30
15
1
--
3
53
30
14
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
3
49
32
14
2
0
26
46
13
2
1
13
26
54
15
<1
1
4
24
47
13
2
2
11
35
38
16
1
1
8
25
55
12
2
0
6
-----
61
7
32
0
64
6
30
<1
59
17
23
0
54
10
36
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – June 23, 2003
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
X Lack of concurrent planning
X Establishing goals not timely
X Hearings not timely, agency
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
X Reluctance of judges to TPR,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Not recruiting families that reflect
Promising Approach
attorney must request hearing, no
system to track overdue hearings
Lack of search for parents
filings not timely, court focused on
reunification
the ethnic and racial diversity of
children in care
X Various recruitment methods,
collaborative project with Georgia
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
X New licensing process to
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X Preservation services for families
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
expedite approval of foster
homes as adoptive homes
experiencing difficulties
X Staff turnover
Resources
X Loss of agency attorneys due to
Case management
Resources
X Continuances
X Overcrowded court dockets,
X Contracting with private agencies
for adoption services, training,
designated adoption workers
budget cuts
insufficient number of attorneys,
limited court time
X Judicial training
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-4,545
620
2000
22.1
4,525
593
2001
-4,774
753
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
10.9
4,818
--
2,199
2,015
2,157
126,000
1,961
3
30
31
32
4
1
3
27
30
33
7
1
3
28
27
34
7
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
65
33
1
<1
<1
<1
63
35
<1
<1
<1
<1
63
35
1
<1
<1
<1
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
456
11
52
--
378
16
53
95
384
14
55
100
50,000
-48
88
340
-58
91
2
44
38
14
2
--
2
47
32
18
1
--
3
43
32
18
4
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
45
35
17
2
0
61
37
1
---1
64
35
1
<1
<1
--
58
39
2
1
-<1
35
38
16
1
1
8
60
36
2
0
0
1
-----
57
43
0
0
68
31
1
0
59
17
23
0
67
32
<1
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
that might adopt
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
Diligent search
X Not following ICWA early
X No concurrent planning process
Conduct TPR proceedings
X
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
X Significant increase in the number
Recruit adoptive home
X Cannot begin recruitment until
X Delays in TPR of fathers after
mothers’ rights have been
terminated
Tribal courts reluctant to grant
TPR, refusal by some judges to
grant TPR for older children
TPR is finalized, not enough
Native American homes
Resources
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
X Number of homes available
increased through contracts, use
of adoption exchanges
X Streamlined process for fosteradopt placements
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
X Report sent by child welfare
of appeals
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X Look to place with foster parents
X Adoption subsidy offered to all
families
X Providing post-adoption services
for all adoptive families
X Contractors to provide services
X Lack of compliance with time
frames
X ASFA training
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-1,101
198
2000
2.0
1,215
238
2001
-1,367
332
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
1.9
1,406
--
284
311
411
126,000
448
9
26
32
28
5
<1
4
33
29
32
3
<1
3
29
29
32
7
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
3
34
4
58
<1
1
3
34
5
57
-2
2
34
3
58
<1
3
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
84
61
51
--
94
72
56
51
97
57
42
65
50,000
-48
88
145
-34
96
1
45
39
10
5
--
4
55
27
14
---
2
52
37
7
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
54
31
12
1
0
2
46
4
46
-1
-37
6
51
-5
2
41
11
41
-4
35
38
16
1
1
8
1
34
4
57
0
4
-----
63
22
15
0
69
10
21
0
59
17
23
0
72
17
10
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; approve adoptive
home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – June 3, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Appropriate goal not established
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Not identifying fathers early on
X Unwillingness of agency
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy appeals process
X Lack of homes for children with
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
in timely manner
X Timely hearings
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
special needs
X Foster parents lack information
X Implementing several new
recruitment strategies
X Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
X Curriculum for dual-approval of
foster and adoptive parents
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X Increased adoption assistance
rates, implementing electronic
fingerprinting
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Case management
Resources
X Poor casework practice, backlog
X Regional adoption service teams,
X
X Staff increased
X Training by CIP
in cases
Legal services in agency lacking
training for all new adoption staff
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-10,796
992
2000
19.0
10,144
397
2001
-9,679
480
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
16.5
9,359
--
1,666
2,044
2,289
126,000
2,346
2
24
34
30
8
2
2
27
36
29
5
1
2
27
33
33
5
<1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
48
49
2
<1
<1
<1
46
50
2
<1
<1
2
43
52
2
<1
<1
3
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
382
16
38
--
431
11
43
82
646
14
40
81
50,000
-48
88
922
-40
84
1
45
34
17
3
--
1
35
41
20
3
--
1
35
38
22
5
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
34
36
25
4
0
37
59
2
1
-<1
38
56
3
--3
31
57
5
<1
-8
35
38
16
1
1
8
35
54
3
0
0
7
-----
76
21
3
0
74
19
7
0
59
17
23
0
72
20
9
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; approve adoptive
home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X
Court goals not always in child’s
best interest
Promising Approach
X Use of concurrent planning
X Process to establish timely and
appropriate goals
X Hearings occur often
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Pursued when adoption unlikely,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Not pursued until TPR, lack of
X Use of exchanges, recruitment
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Delays between application for
X
X Dual licensing of foster/adoptive
X Adoptive families deterred by cost
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
use of exceptions rare
homes for the many children
available
licensure and receipt of training
homes, home study process
standardized
Creation of pools of attorneys to
provide legal services
X Adoption subsidies for all families
X Adoption preparation services for
children
X Services provided by contractor
X Worker turnover, roles of courts
Resources
X
Case management
X
Resources
programs, and advisory
committee; diverse pool of
adoptive homes
Use of cross-jurisdictional homes
and agency unclear, lack of
training, lack of collaboration with
contractors
Lack of legal representation and
staff
Roles of courts and agency
unclear
X Contracts, co-location with
contract agency staff, designated
staff to move cases toward
adoption
X CIP cluster courts
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-16,326
5,067
2000
67.4
18,190
5,483
2001
-19,739
6,104
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
73.1
21,353
--
6,616
7,200
7,931
126,000
8,517
4
30
33
29
4
--
5
31
31
29
4
0
5
31
29
30
4
--
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
33
30
33
<1
<1
4
31
31
34
<1
<1
4
31
31
33
<1
<1
4
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
2,054
36
52
--
2,040
44
53
93
2,319
51
53
73
50,000
-48
88
2,295
-54
82
3
49
32
15
1
--
3
53
30
13
1
--
4
55
29
12
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
3
58
26
11
2
0
30
30
36
<1
<1
4
26
32
37
1
<1
5
24
32
39
<1
<1
5
35
38
16
1
1
8
25
33
37
0
0
5
-----
61
21
19
<1
49
27
24
<1
59
17
23
0
50
25
25
<1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; hold hearing; and establish
adoption subsidy/services.
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – April 28, 2003
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Appropriate goal for child not
established
Promising Approach
X Use of foster/adopt homes
X Use of child and family team
meetings for all cases
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X TPRs not filed in timely manner,
X Allow for open adoptions
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of Spanish-speaking staff
X Collaborating with private agency
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Resources
Courts
Barrier
Case management
Resources
X Hearings held in timely manner
significant differences among the
tribes with respect to filing TPR
impacting recruitment, lack of
process for diligent recruitment
X
and an adoption exchange to
recruit adoptive homes
Utilizing out-of-state homes
X Adoption subsidies available to
families that are adopting
X Service gaps
X Wide array of services and
X No effort by staff to attain
X Coordination with courts,
adoptions for older children
supports available to support
adoption, initiative around postadoption support services
collaboration with other
organizations, services,
community groups
X Lack of Spanish-speaking staff,
rural nature of state impacts
service delivery
X Coordination with child welfare
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-2,273
245
2000
10.6
1,805
310
2001
-1,957
254
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
8.4
2,025
--
325
371
336
126,000
456
4
27
32
31
5
1
9
29
32
26
3
--
6
30
32
28
3
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
5
67
19
2
2
6
4
58
23
5
1
10
5
61
25
1
2
7
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
369
58
77
--
303
66
77
76
349
71
85
77
50,000
-48
88
335
-77
78
8
43
37
12
<1
--
8
51
30
11
1
--
9
54
27
10
1
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
9
52
28
10
1
0
2
34
20
1
-43
3
55
19
2
1
21
6
52
28
3
3
9
35
38
16
1
1
8
5
54
26
2
0
13
-----
47
47
6
0
60
32
8
0
59
17
23
0
65
27
8
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
VERMONT
Highlights
Vermont 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.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Promising Approach
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
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Hearings and decisions not
manner, not reexamined, and not
clear to everyone involved in
case; lack of adoption planning
for older children
Some judges hold hearings only if
disagreement on goals
timely, time from filing to
determination lengthy, compelling
reasons not documented
Lack of legal representation
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X
Select adoptive home
X Resistance to out-of-state and
Approve adoptive home
X Foster parents not completing
X Lack of adoptive homes,
particularly minority families and
homes for children with special
needs; lack of statewide strategy
X Timely hearings
X Timely filings, increase in filings
X Collaborative recruitment efforts
using various media approaches,
cross-jurisdictional activities, use
of exchanges, outreach to
Abenaki community, planned
recruitment for older children
cross-jurisdictional placements
required paperwork for adoption
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
X Strong service network
X One worker per office responsible
X Permanency team reviewing
Resources
X Lack of staff
X
Case management
X High caseloads, backlogs, high
X
Resources
X
for spectrum of adoption activities
attorney turnover
Lack of judges, attorneys and
courtrooms
cases, centralizing worker
supervision
Additional staff assigned to
adoptive program
CIP addressing backlogs, case
management protocol, training
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-1,445
351
2000
4.8
1,318
184
2001
-1,360
238
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
6.8
1,538
--
403
252
298
126,000
515
4
28
29
32
6
1
2
23
26
38
10
3
1
22
28
40
7
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
2
96
1
<1
-1
2
96
1
<1
-1
2
96
1
<1
-1
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
139
23
41
--
122
18
51
86
116
17
48
85
50,000
-48
88
153
-46
83
1
43
39
16
1
--
2
48
31
18
1
--
3
41
34
22
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
6
42
29
19
3
0
4
96
-----
5
90
3
-2
1
-95
---5
35
38
16
1
1
8
6
93
0
0
0
1
-----
74
9
10
7
73
3
24
0
59
17
23
0
82
7
12
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
VIRGINIA
Highlights
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.
Virginia 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: 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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – July 7, 2003
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Barrier
X Planning not mandated
X Goal of reunification maintained
Adoptive
Placement
X Timely hearings, future hearings
scheduled at each hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Filing not timely, lengthy process,
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
X Lengthy appeals, increase in
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of homes for older and
X Targeted recruitment, contracts
Select adoptive home
X
X Statewide matching parties/
Approve adoptive home
X
parents given too much time
appeals, full evidentiary hearings
special-needs children, lack of
diverse homes
Lack of information for foster
parents
Foster/adoptive parent training
not mandatory
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
PostAdoption
for recruitment
meetings
X Dual licensure of homes, home
study template to remove crossjurisdictional barriers
X Comprehensive adoption
X
Lack of adoption counseling
services provided to children,
family preparation lacking
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
X Increased use
for too long
Hold hearing
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Promising Approach
X
X
X High caseloads
Resources
X Lack of staff, lost funding for
Case management
X Crowded court dockets,
Resources
X Localities lack funds for attorneys
assistance program, collaborative
efforts with private agencies
Contract with University of
Virginia to conduct attachment
assessments for pre-adoptive
and adoptive families
Family preservation and legal
services provided, respite care
X Partnerships with private
agencies, new permanency unit,
collaboration with court
recruitment position
continuances, high caseloads
X Developed protocols, training,
collaboration with agency,
working to identify best practices,
calendar management improved
by CIP
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-6,778
749
2000
15.7
6,789
640
2001
-6,866
484
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
23.3
7,109
--
2,178
2,132
1,947
126,000
1,489
4
38
41
16
1
--
5
36
40
18
1
<1
4
34
38
23
1
--
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
54
39
4
<1
1
2
53
39
4
<1
<1
3
54
37
4
<1
<1
4
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
326
16
38
--
448
21
34
93
495
18
37
96
50,000
-48
88
424
-32
96
2
46
37
15
---
<1
36
42
19
3
--
<1
40
40
17
3
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
0
41
35
22
2
0
45
45
6
-2
2
46
44
5
-<1
5
41
46
5
-1
8
35
38
16
1
1
8
51
39
4
0
0
6
-----
78
16
6
0
78
17
6
0
59
17
23
0
78
16
6
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; child welfare case management; approve adoptive home; and
establish adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Promising Approach
X Use of linear planning
X Families given too much time,
Hold hearing
X
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Delays, continuances, judges
X Timelines followed, especially for
Provide legal services
X
X Improved representation for
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Appeals cause delays
X Lack of homes for older children,
X Use of exchanges, contracts for
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
X Barriers in homes of choice
X Delays in completing home
X Contracts for placement, staff
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
X
lack of services for parents, lack
of consistency in setting timelines
for families
Continuances, lack of
representation for families
reluctant to TPR, filings not timely
Lack of attorneys for parents
X Staff training on planning
X Two planning reviews for each
case
younger children
families
lack of diverse homes
studies, ICPC delays, time from
finalized TPR to finalized
adoption lengthy
Adoption hearings limited
recruitment, grant received for
special needs recruitment
training on ICPC, consistent
home study format
X Support payments frozen in time,
X Financial barriers to adopting
X Lack of training, paperwork
X Training provided, regional
support services needed
children with special needs
removed, support program
includes medical and other
services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
delays, staff turnover
X
Resources
Case management
X Delays, insufficient court time,
Resources
X Lack of attorneys and judges
adoption consortium facilitates
public-private case staffing
Planning to hire staff
crowded dockets
X Improving representation
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-8,688
3,368
2000
31.3
8,945
2,216
2001
-9,101
1,854
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
35.3
8,738
--
3,720
2,669
2,302
126,000
3,361
7
45
31
14
3
<1
4
41
32
20
3
<1
3
40
31
22
5
<1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
17
59
12
5
1
7
18
58
11
5
1
7
18
57
12
5
1
8
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
1,047
24
52
--
1,141
20
49
97
1,204
26
50
98
50,000
-48
88
1,077
-54
99
2
58
32
8
1
--
1
56
32
9
1
--
1
57
31
10
1
<1
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
61
27
9
1
0
5
37
11
2
<1
45
13
64
12
4
1
6
12
63
11
5
1
7
35
38
16
1
1
8
11
61
14
5
1
7
-----
59
37
<1
3
59
39
<1
2
59
17
23
0
100
0
0
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2001 – May 6, 2002
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
X Fathers not identified and
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
X Adoption not used for older
Hold hearing
X
Promising Approach
involved early
children, delays in changing
goals, lack of clear goals
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
X Increased TPR filings, courts
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lack of a statewide plan, lack of
X Recruiter hired, partnership with
Select adoptive home
X
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
Resources
Case management
Resources
must pursue TPR independently
homes for older youth and sibling
groups
Foster parents and relatives not
encouraged to adopt, lack of
information
Home study delays
comply with ASFA
private agency, strong crossjurisdictional plan
X Not all relatives receive subsidies
X
Adoptive parents not feeling
supported
X Lack of services and medical
insurance, college tuition and
independent living services not
available to adopted children
X High caseloads, belief that older
X Staff training, multi-disciplinary
X
X Continuances, court delays
X Adoption staff hired
children are unadoptable, lack of
training, staff turnover, case
transfer delays, data not being
documented in tracking system
Lack of dedicated adoption staff
teams review case plans
X Attorneys hired
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-3,169
12
2000
8.2
3,388
23
2001
-3,298
87
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
6.8
3,220
--
779
766
731
126,000
1,021
4
31
41
23
2
<1
4
29
39
25
4
<1
4
29
32
29
5
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
16
82
1
-<1
1
10
81
1
-<1
7
8
83
1
<1
-8
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
312
27
26
--
352
17
26
82
362
26
29
92
50,000
-48
88
361
-26
98
1
43
40
14
2
--
1
33
45
20
2
--
1
40
37
18
4
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
1
43
34
20
2
0
9
87
1
--3
15
76
3
--6
7
84
1
-<1
8
35
38
16
1
1
8
6
85
1
0
0
8
-----
80
4
16
1
82
3
15
0
59
17
23
0
79
3
19
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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.
Barriers and Promising Approaches
Child and Family Service Review (CFSR) period under review: April 1, 2002 – April 18, 2003
STAGES OF ADOPTION
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
X Not investigating fathers and
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
X Not established until after
Establish/change goal
X Not establishing appropriate goal
reunification has failed
for child in a timely manner
X Not pursuing TPR without
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Lengthy appeals process
X Further efforts needed recruiting
X Timely hearings
identified adoptive home; delays
due to late filings, scheduling
hearings, parents requesting jury
trial, extensions/continuances;
hesitancy to TPR
cross-jurisdictional homes
Select adoptive home
Approve adoptive home
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
Resources
Case management
Resources
Promising Approach
paternal relatives as possible
placement
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Barrier
Identify placement
X Targeted recruitment strategies,
extensive recruitment for specialneeds children
X Available to families
X Belief that older children are
unadoptable, agency emphasis
on reunification, need better cross
jurisdictional relationships
Lack of agency attorneys
X
X Court bias toward reunification
X Lack of attorneys to file TPR
petitions
X Contracting with private agencies
to increase adoption program
capacity and maintain quality
services
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-10,868
323
2000
33.8
10,504
341
2001
-9,497
357
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
45.9
8,744
--
1,993
1,964
2,049
126,000
1,911
5
27
38
27
3
1
2
26
35
31
4
1
2
22
32
35
7
3
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
57
36
3
4
<1
1
53
39
3
4
-1
52
40
3
4
-2
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
642
19
71
--
736
25
76
99
754
21
77
99
50,000
-48
88
1,028
-79
100
2
41
40
14
3
--
3
42
37
17
2
--
7
44
34
14
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
6
41
35
15
3
0
42
47
6
5
---
39
48
7
5
1
1
36
47
7
3
<1
7
35
38
16
1
1
8
40
44
8
2
0
6
-----
74
14
13
0
69
19
12
0
59
17
23
0
74
14
12
<1
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent
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
commonly occur: recruit adoptive home; hold hearing; child welfare case management; approve adoptive
home; and establish adoption subsidy/services.
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
Entry
Permanency
Planning
Termination
of Parental
Rights (TPR)
Adoptive
Placement
PostAdoption
Barrier
Identify placement
Finding of abuse/neglect
Initiate concurrent planning
Establish/change goal
Hold hearing
Diligent search
Conduct TPR proceedings
X Lengthy time to TPR, no filing
Provide legal services
Conduct proceedings for appeal
Recruit adoptive home
X Court delays in processing
X Lack of adoptive families, no TPR
X Not used consistently
X Not held in timely manner
X Bench Book developed by CIP
X Absent parent location efforts
CIP addressing TPR delays
without adoptive home, contested
terminations require jury trials, no
TPRs on reservations
inhibits recruitment, no statewide
plan
X Use of exchanges, targeted
recruitment
Select adoptive home
X Use of cross-jurisdictional and
Approve adoptive home
X
Conduct proceedings for
adoption
Establish adoption
subsidy/services
Prepare/transition child and
family
Provide post-adoption services
X Medicaid provision differs for
foster care
Resources
Case management
Resources
out-of-state placements, adoption
information retreats for foster
parents
Grants for special-needs family
training
X Subsidies for special-needs
adoptions
X Preparation services for children
X
AGENCY FACTORS
Child
Case management
Welfare
Courts
Promising Approach
X Staff training, cooperating with
private agency, coordinating with
CIP to facilitate timely adoptions
X Backlogs, child welfare cases not
a priority, crowded dockets
X CIP educating courts,
permanency unit created
X One judge added by CIP,
planning to create children’s
permanency unit in attorney
general’s office
Indicators
OVERVIEW
Spending on adoption services (in millions)
Children in foster care on September 30
Children whose parents’ parental rights have been terminated
1999
-774
107
2000
0.5
815
89
2001
-965
91
2001
Nation
-542,000
65,000
2002
1.0
929
--
145
125
129
126,000
121
2
35
40
19
4
--
2
23
43
26
6
--
2
25
34
32
7
1
3
32
32
28
4
--
-------
6
80
12
2
---
6
79
12
2
-1
6
85
6
2
-1
45
34
12
2
<1
6
-------
45
50
86
--
61
41
85
82
46
28
95
93
50,000
-48
88
50
-88
92
-49
31
13
7
--
-39
41
15
5
--
-30
50
17
2
--
2
46
34
16
2
--
2
44
37
15
2
0
11
71
9
2
-7
8
79
12
2
---
-72
20
7
2
--
35
38
16
1
1
8
6
81
12
0
0
2
-----
78
8
13
0
76
0
24
0
59
17
23
0
75
10
16
0
CHILDREN WAITING TO BE ADOPTED
Total number
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
CHILDREN ADOPTED
Total number
Within 24 months of latest removal (in percent)
Time between TPR and adoption less than 12 months (in percent)
Receiving a subsidy (in percent)
Age (in percent)
Under 1 year
1-5 years
6-10 years
11-15 years
16+
Unknown
Race/ethnicity (in percent)
Black
White
Hispanic
American Indian/Alaska Native
Asian/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian
Unknown/two or more races
Adopted by (in percent)
Foster parent
Non-relative
Relative
Step-parent