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MINUTES <br />ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES <br />May 19, 2014 <br />2 <br />months, federal law requires a permanency planning process for the child. This could include <br />adoption, guardianship to a relative, etc. Staff and the Guardian ad Litem make recommendations <br />about the best placement for the child. If adoption is the plan, the agency attorney files a petition <br />for Termination of Parental Rights. The judge makes the decision about whether to terminate <br />rights. If rights are terminated or relinquished by the parents voluntarily, the agency will move <br />toward the adoption process. <br /> <br />Claire Millar asked whether sibling groups are generally kept together. Mr. Lowell responded that <br />children are kept together when possible. <br /> <br />Denise Shaffer added that the agency has a high percentage of relinquishments and she feels that <br />is in large part due to excellent work by social workers. <br /> <br />Tamara Dempsey-Tanner asked what the requirements are for foster and adoptive parents. Karen <br />Lewis explained the process of foster care and adoption. As of May 5th there are 75 foster families <br />licensed in Orange County. There is a class currently underway to license new foster parents. The <br />classes are taught by social workers and run ten-weeks. There are generally three classes per <br />year and staff members have to be certified to be trainers. By the third meeting, families are <br />assigned to a social worker to begin assessing the homes and families for safety and suitability. <br />Social workers look at many factors including a thorough background check for prospective <br />families. Families can only have five children in the home at a time, including birth and adoptive <br />children. There are additional visits in the home and office prior to licensing. Ms. Lewis also noted <br />there are numerous forms that have to be completed. All information must be sent in to the state <br />for final approval. The entire process can take five to six months to complete and licenses are good <br />for two years. Once certified there are requirements for continuous education. <br /> <br />All prospective foster parents attend an orientation prior to beginning the process. Families can <br />foster parent, foster to adopt, or adopt. If a family is interested in adoption, the social worker will <br />work with the family to start an adoption home study. All children freed for adoption without a <br />permanent plan are listed on NC KIDS, a website that helps agencies recruit adoptive families. If a <br />child is in a foster home and is freed for adoption, the child may be moved into a foster home that is <br />also interested in adopting. If multiple families are interested in adopting a child, a committee will <br />help select the best fit for the child. The child and family will be introduced slowly with visits while <br />social workers assess the family’s and child’s readiness. If things are going well after a few <br />months, the social worker will meet with the family to get ready to file the adoption petition. The <br />adoption petition can pend for 90 days before it is final. The Clerk of Court can waive the waiting <br />period in some cases. Sometimes families have signing parties or other celebrations when an <br />adoption is finalized. <br /> <br />Mr. Lowell added that there are times when a parent will file an appeal after rights are terminated. <br />This delays the process and keeps a child in limbo while the appeal is ongoing. Generally the <br />appeals are upheld but the process is much slower. Ms. Shaffer added that a number of children <br />are adopted by their foster parents. <br /> <br />Ms. Lewis noted that children in foster care are supported by board payments which vary based on <br />the age of the child. For non-licensed placements, families can receive Work First cash assistance <br />which is a much lower rate. Adoption Assistance may also be available to support families who <br />adopt children with additional needs. <br /> <br />Ms. Dempsey-Tanner asked whether there are special trainings for foster parents who are caring <br />for a child with special needs. Ms. Lewis responded that some parents are sent to Teer House in <br />Durham for additional training. Hospital staff also provide training for foster parents before a child