1750. Adoption Planning Reviews (APR)

Applies To:  This policy applies to child welfare employees.

Policy Number & Title:  1750. Adoption Planning Reviews (APR)

Effective Date:  July 1, 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to establish requirements when conducting Adoption Planning Reviews (APR).

APRs are a type of shared planning meetings (SPM) that:

• Takes place prior to Termination of Parental Rights (TPR).
• Identifies prospective adoptive placements and additional services for children or youth.
• Determines if Open Adoption Agreements (OAA) or Letters of Intent are appropriate when adoption is identified as the permanent plan.
• Develops recruitment plans for children or youth not placed in a prospective adoptive placement.

Authority 

RCW 13.34.145  Permanency planning hearing-Purpose-Time limits-Goals-Review hearing-Petition for termination of parental rights-Guardianship petition-Agency responsibility to provide services to parents-Due process rights
RCW 26.33.080  Petition for relinquishment-Filing-Written consent required
RCW 26.33.110  Petition for termination-Time and place of hearing-Notice of hearing and petition-Contents
RCW 26.33.350  Medical reports-Requirements
RCW 26.33.380  Family and social history report required-Identity of birth parents confidential
RCW 70.02.220  Sexually transmitted diseases-Permitted and mandatory disclosures
RCW 74.13.289  Blood-borne pathogens-Client information-Training
WAC 110-60-0070  What adoption services does the department provide for children in the department's care and custody?
WAC 110-60-0080  What adoption services does the department provide for prospective and approved adoptive families?

Policy 

Child and Family Welfare Services (CFWS) caseworkers:

1. Must conduct an APR within 30 calendar days of one of the following:
   1. Courts changing the permanent plan to adoption.
      1. Submitting a TPR referral to the Assistant Attorney General (AAG).
      2. Accepting a relinquishment of parental rights.
2. May combine APRs with permanency planning meetings.

Resources 

Adoption Planning Review (APR) procedures (Located in the DCYF Policies & Rules Office SharePoint)

Termination of Parental Rights (TPR) policy

Open Adoption Agreements and Letters of Intent policy

Shared Planning Meetings policy

Original Date:  July 1, 2023

Revised Date:

Review Date:  July 31, 2027

Approved by: Frank Ordway, Chief of Staff