Page 356

              Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
FFY 2011 Annual Progress and Services Report
349
Services to Children in Adoptive Placements
Children in adoptive placements continue to be provided with supportive services and any
needed evaluations or assessments prior to adoption, so that a clear picture of current and pre-existing
conditions and needs as well as future needs are identified and documented in the
adoption subsidy. Adoption services provided to the child include termination of parental
rights; individualized child preparation to address the child’s unique medical, behavioral,
developmental, psychological/adjustment, and educational needs; and provision of services
related to these needs via direct services or linkages to other service providers. For those
children who are in need of an adoptive resource, services include adoptive home finding,
matching, pre-placements, post-placement support services, subsidy assistance and other post
adoption services.
Services to Adoptive Parents
The adoptive parents continue to be provided in writing with the CFS 470-H Affidavit of
Information Disclosure for Adoption, as well as the corresponding reports containing non-identifying
information about the child’s birth parents that may include age, race, religion,
physical description, other birth children, relationship between the birth parents, and medical
and mental health history. Information about the child is provided to the family including the
child’s name, birth date, place of birth, race, sex, physical description, developmental history,
education, information regarding the child’s behavior and personality, their placement history
and legal status. This disclosure information is also to be shared with the child’s Guardian ad
Litem, as well as the adoption attorney, who reviews the subsidy prior to the family signing it.
Adoption Subsidies
An adoption subsidy remains part of the adoption contract between Illinois DCFS and the
adoptive parents after they adopt. It is prepared to include the non-recurring expenses such as
legal fees with a maximum of $1,500, medical card, and ongoing adoption subsidy payments
and services in place at the time of adoption and allowable after adoption per policy 302.310.
Adoption Certification Training, “From Foster Care to Adoption”
This training consists of nine hours and it continues to be delivered as a mandatory step for
families in the process of adopting. It is offered in all of the DCFS regions. Training consists of
helping families make the transition from foster care to adoption. It addresses the clinical, legal
and financial preparation and planning for a life-long commitment. Additional training is
provided to adoptive and foster families via the DCFS website and Virtual Training Center,
which can be accessed anytime by foster and adoptive parents. Information is also provided to
families regarding adoptive and foster parent support groups.
Post Adoption Services and Supports
In order to support the adoptive family after adoption when a caseworker is no longer involved,
adoptive parents continue to be given written information regarding post adoption services and
contacts. Informational packets are given to the adoptive parents containing information about
Adoption Assistance; the adoption subsidy; the DCFS Post Adoption unit phone numbers and
contacts; Adoption Preservation Services; community services; how to find a medical, dental
and vision provider who accepts Medicaid; Closed File Information; Search and Reunion