casa of cochise county · casa of cochise county news and views december 2016 national adoption day...

Unadoptable 3by Ned Letto, Cochise Co CASA Volunteer

National Adoption Day 5by Mary Kay Holcomb, Cochise Co CASA Volunteer

Christmas Decoration 6by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise Co CASA Volunteer

Thank You Letter to Hummingbird Stitchers Quilt Guild 7by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise Co CASA Volunteer

Letter of Thanks to the CASA Council 8by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise Co CASA Volunteer

A Couple of Short Stories 9by Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise Co CASA Volunteer

Practicing Mindful Meditation 12By Allison Hurtado, CASA Mkt & Comm Outreach Specialist

Arizona Has ACEs Hot Spots 13By Allison Hurtado, CASA Mkt & Comm Outreach Specialist

Photos from the CASA Family Album 23

CASA of Cochise CountyNews & Views

Abby Dodge - CASA Coordinator ~ Lissete Borbon - Support Staff ~ Phone: 432-7521 Fax: 432-7247

www.casaofarizona.com

Cochise County Newsletter December 2016

ArticlesCoordinator’s Comments 2

Annual Training Hours Completed for 2016 9

Walk thru Bethlehem Flyer 10

Kudos 10

Anniversaries 10

CASA of the Month 11

CASA Support Groups 12

Cochise County Council for CASA, Inc - CCCC Inc 14 Arizona Work Flyer 14 December Calendar 15 From the Manual 16Petitioning and Finalizing

Features

http://www.casaofarizona.com

December 2016CASA of Cochise County News and Views

Coordinator’s Comments

Abby Dodge and familyI hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I know that things can get hectic this time of year, but I have a few things that I do need from each of you prior to the end of the year.

First, if you have not yet been trained on the CASAaz Dashboard and on Webmail, please contact me to set up this training. I need to have each of you trained this year, as this is how we track contact hours, do court reports, and provide you with your disclosures/case updates.

Second, if you haven’t completed your 12 hours of in-service training, please do so! Most of you have, which is awesome. Please check the list that is published in this newsletter to ensure that your training is completed. Remember, if you complete training, it is your responsibility to enter the training hours into CASAaz (this includes newsletters and support group meetings). If your name isn’t on the list, then you will be receiving an email from me with your total hours and

some suggestions on how to complete the remaining hours. I am in the process of completing a training calendar for 2017, based upon the suggestions I’ve received so far from the training survey I sent out last month. I hope to have that completed before the end of the year.

Finally, one of our program requirements is for everyone to complete an annual program survey. Please check your email for a Survey Monkey link to complete this survey. This needs to be completed by December 31. There are two separate surveys. Only one of them is required (the email specifies which one). The other exists to allow you to provide comments anonymously, if you desire.

2016 has been a wonderful year. We’ve seen some major changes (CASAaz especially - which you’ve all survived very graciously), we’ve welcomed some new volunteers, and we’ve witnessed some incredible growth with our current volunteers. I really appreciate each of you and all of your hard work. This program wouldn’t be as great as it is without each of you!

I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season. Here’s to an even better 2017!

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brother became dangerous; someone was going to get seriously hurt.

All along, Joseph professed a desire to become part of a family but since he had been in foster care since he was 6, he didn't even know what being part of a family was all about. His behaviors were not conducive to reaching his goal of permanency. In early 2015, Joseph was selected to be included in the DCS Heart Gallery. This is a website for children who are eligible for adoption.

When he left the placement with his brother, he was placed in a licensed foster home in Duncan, Arizona. Joseph loved to be in the center of town and this placement was on a farm in a very rural area of Arizona. He hated it. Whenever he talked about his placement, his comments were filled with 'F' bombs and other foul language. I was sure he would disrupt. He had been told he would only be there 3 weeks and we were now at that magical 3-month mark. During this time there was an emergency CFT and a TDM to preserve this placement.

By this time I had developed the belief that this young man was unadoptable. There was no place that he would be able to maintain a relationship with any family.

As time went on and school started after the summer break, this young man started to settle in. He became interested in sports and played on the school baseball, football and basketball teams. He actually attended classes and received passing grades. He accepted

CASA of Cochise County News and Views December 2016

UnadoptableBy Ned Letto, Cochise County CASA Volunteer

My story begins on October 20, 2014. I received a phone call from Elizabeth Wolfe, a DCS Case Manager. I was shopping at Home Depot and couldn't discuss it at that time. We got into details the next day after a CFT for another case. Elizabeth pleaded her case for me to take a case with two teen boys, ages 14 and 16 at the time. These boys had been in DCS care since they were 6 and 8. Parental rights had been severed in 2012. This was the second time these boys were in DCS Care. My first court report showed that the 16-year-old had been in 10 placements and the 14-year-old had been in 17 placements.

After consulting with Joan Hansen, the CASA Coordinator at that time, I agreed to take the case.

The older boy was in a licensed foster home in Sierra Vista while the younger boy, Joseph, was in a therapeutic group home in Casa Grande. Joseph was about ready to be discharged from the group home for a standard placement. The placement that had been arranged for him was All The Kings Horses Children's Ranch in Benson. I was the one to transport him from Casa Grande to Benson. This placement only lasted 1 week. It took them that long to read his file and decide this was not the place for him. So, the next placement was a kinship placement with a sister and her family in Sierra Vista. This placement lasted 3 months to the day; his behaviors just could not be dealt with. His next placement was with his brother in the licensed foster home in Sierra Vista. Joseph disrupted from this placement in a little over 3 months. The situation between him and his

Continued on next page~

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Unadoptable (Continued)

being baptized into the Mormon Church. As the 2015-2016 school year went on, his attitude toward his foster family changed as did his attitude about school and living in Duncan. Earlier this year, he asked his foster family to adopt him.

On Friday, November 18th, Joseph was adopted. It took a very special and loving family to work through all his issues and in the end become his mother and father (or grandma and grandpa as he calls them).

So, if you find yourself with a very difficult case and start to feel it is hopeless to find permanency, remember, the right adoptive family is out there; we just need to find it.

So, what happened to the older boy? He aged out and is living in Sierra Vista working in the Service Department of a car dealer.

Hon Monica Stauffer, Greenlee County Superior Court; Lynnita Moreno, mother; Joseph Malinaro-Moreno; Joseph Moreno, father

Elizabeth Wolfe, former DCS Case Manager; Joseph Malinaro-Moreno; Ned Letto, CASA; Dominick Malinaro, Joseph's brother.Lynnita Moreno; Elizabeth Wolfe, former DCS Case Manager; Marian Wall, DCS

Case Manager; Robert Gilliland, former foster father; Dominick Malinaro, brother; Keihla Malinaro, cousin; Joseph Malinaro-Moreno

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National Adoption DayBy Mary Kay Holcomb, Cochise County CASA Volunteer

If you missed the National Adoption Day on Nov. 18th at the Police Station in Sierra Vista, you missed a very happy day. The children being adopted were all dressed up and wore big smiles along with their adopted parents. The whole room was filled with love and laughter as each family adopted their special child into their family.

Our own Judge Bannon glowed each time she did an adoption. We are so lucky to have her as she has so much compassion and love for the children that go through her court. That was shown on this special day.

A big thank you to the Hummingbird Stitchers Quilt Guild for giving each child their own special quilt. Both the children and their parents were very appreciative to receive these beautiful quilts.

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Christmas DecorationBy Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer

I stopped by for a short visit with one of my girls and her family. They had decorated pine cones and painted rocks to use for Christmas decorations. Finished cones and stones were all over the walkway. Four children were bustling around, and the mother was directing traffic. I had arrived just after the decorating marathon, and the children from the neighborhood had gone home.

A trip to the city park provided the pine cones and the neighborhood wash was the source for the stones. The spray paint came from the recycling center (Mom referred to it as ‘the dump’). The pine cones were sprayed with a variety of colors and glitter was sprinkled on top of every “leaf.” The effect was terrific, and the cones were tied with string and dangled from the curtain rods and lamps. Electric! The stones were faces that were painted with magic marker and decorated with glitter. They were table decorations. Four children and the mother showed me everything they had made. I admired every pine cone and every rock. Every single thing that was made was nice enough to display. I was given both decorated pine cones and stones to take home. They are proudly displayed as part of our Christmas decorations.

I was not present when the neighborhood children gathered to make their decorations. It sounded like wonderful chaotic fun. When the decorations were finished, the mother ordered pizza and served chocolate cake. I took a generous piece of chocolate cake home.

Driving home I remembered all the homemade decorations my children and grandchildren have made over the years. The most memorable was a gingerbread house my granddaughter and I made. Neither one of us has a speck of artistic flair. We labored and spread copious amounts of icing and used a whole package of gumdrops as background. The house was crooked. The icing drooled rather than dripped. The gum drops were comic relief. In short, it was awful and we loved it. My daughter-in-law is an artistic type and very creative. She took one look at our efforts and evaporated from the scene. When we finished, the result was amazingly awful, but my granddaughter and I displayed it in a prominent place and appreciated it during the whole holiday season. Actually, it was memorably awful, and everyone noticed it. Bets were made that it would fall down, but it managed to remain somewhat upright for the Christmas season. And the mention of “gingerbread house” conjures up happy holiday memories to this day.

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November 22, 2016

To the Wonderful Ladies of This Guild~~

On Saturday, at the Adoption Day ceremony in Sierra Vista, a young lady was welcomed into her forever family. We took pictures at her house a few days before the ceremony. She is modeling her adoption quilt in the first picture. I gave her the quilt a few days before the ceremony. It is perfect for her since she loves bright colors. We had a little celebration with just me and the family, and then I brought the quilt to Mary Kay Holcomb (a CASA and a member of the guild) to be presented at the formal adoption ceremony on Adoption Day.

Several years ago, her new brother had surgery, and I have included his picture. The guild made quilts that were given to the young surgery patients. The boy has treasured his quilt, and he wanted you to know how much it means to him.

Thank you so much for all your quilt making projects, especially the quilts you make for children. It is my girl’s first quilt. It is a work of art and will be a lasting reminder of the day she was adopted.

Bless you for creating a beautiful quilt for my girl. It is a gift she will treasure and use for many, many years.

With gratitude and thanks to you all.

Mary Blanchard, CASA Volunteer

Hummingbird Stitchers Quilt Guild

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It is the Christmas season once more, and I am looking back on the year 2016 and remembering all the wonderful things the CASA Council has done for all my children. One special gift for one of my girls is an airline ticket for her to go with her upcoming placement to spend Christmas with the extended family. My girl has never been out of Arizona. It will be an adventure that she will treasure forever.

The placement happened suddenly, indeed! My girl is still in transition, and her foster mother did not have time to include her ticket in the budget. The foster mother put my girl’s ticket on her credit card and my girl will be flying with the family. This was a huge sacrifice and a commitment to a child the foster family is welcoming as a member of their family.

The DCS case manager contacted me and explained the situation. I asked for the council to fund the ticket. My request was approved, and the holidays for my girl and her family became much, much brighter.

To every member of the CASA Council, I want you to know that all the wonderful activities and other things you fund for all the CASA kids is greatly appreciated. You bring ‘ah ha’ moments into the lives of our children and provide funding for many activities that could not be possible without your support.

Happy holidays,

A grateful CASA,

Mary C. Blanchard

Letter of Thanks to the CASA CouncilBy Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer

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Annual Training Hours Completed for 2016

CASA of Cochise County News and Views Decvember 2016

A Couple of Short StoriesBy Mary C. Blanchard, Cochise County CASA Volunteer

Small Acts of Kindness

I was standing in line at the Post Office. The girl in front of me was dressed in rugged, outdoor clothes. I am a people watcher, so I was watching her. When it came her turn to be waited on, she went up to the counter and asked the postal worker the best way to mail clothes. The lady carefully considered her question and told her it depended on the amount. The girl said it was just a few things, and she wanted to send it the cheapest way possible. We both learned that she could use a mailer or a flat rate box, and the box was usually cheaper. The girl considered her options, and while she was thinking, the lady told her that usually the flat rate box was cheaper. It all depended on the amount. She asked if the girl happened to have the clothes with her. The girl said yes, so the lady told her if she got the clothes, she would weigh them and figure out the cheapest rate. The girl said they were in her truck, and she turned to go get them. The lady told her to come to the head of the line when she came back.

The girl returned with about 6 pieces that appeared to be blouses and underwear. The postal worker carefully weighed them and told the girl the small flat box would be the cheapest. The girl took her advice and went to get a box. I came up to the counter, and told the postal worker that it made my day to see her go out of her way to help a customer. She told me I made her day. And since the girl was happy, three people felt better because the postal worker cared enough to take the time to ask a few questions and weigh some clothing.

Live a Little

It was a lovely sunny day. I was driving down Greenbrier. An older man (20 years or so younger than I am) was riding his bicycle. As I got closer, I had to take a second look. The man was peddling along and had his hands off the handlebars. No hands!!!! I looked more closely. The man was still old, and he was wearing a proper helmet, and he was grinning from ear to ear. He looked like a boy showing off his tricks. I would have waved at him if I had not been so startled. The best I could do was to say to myself, “Go, hot rod!”

Mary Jacobs – 12.25Ned Letto – 35Krista Ochs – 17.5Deb Scott – 17.5Kathy Shaughnessy – 42Whitney Simplice – 35.5Susan Struck – 20.75Cheryl Tomlinson – 27.5LuRue Troyer – 41Lynn Vanderdasson – 20.5Lin Wright – 17

Juanita Adamson – 28Melissa Avant – 28.5Morrisa Berkley – 17Mary Blanchard – 50Zanetta Boughan – 22Misty Briseno – 17Sharon Buono – 29Chris Charles-Hall – 43Jan Dragoo – 19.5Bud Dragoo – 17.5Patti Hager – 12Mary Kay Holcomb – 45.5

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Ned Letto, Cochise County CASA VolunteerFCRB, 11/2/16The Board acknowledges the Court Appointed Special Advocate, the case manager, and the Child and Family Team for the incredible amount of effort and time they have put into ensuring J’s wellbeing and permanency for J.


Kudos

AnniversarySusan Struck12/18/01 – 15 years!

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It’s my pleasure to announce that the CASA of the Month for November 2016 is Susan Struck!

Susan will be celebrating her 15th anniversary with the CASA Program in December, which is definitely worth celebrating. When I first started working here, Susan had recently been assigned to a very difficult case. Although she met a lot of resistance from other parties on the case, she never gave up on fighting for the children’s best interest. Her court reports are always very detailed and well-written, and she does an amazing job of verbally advocating for her assigned children as well.

After her last case ended, Susan decided to take a break from being assigned to cases. Because she remained current with all program requirements, I didn’t try to persuade her to take another case until she was ready. When I recently sent out that request for a CASA for a young lady in Douglas, Susan was very quick to volunteer. I wasn’t expecting her to, as she had been working mainly with younger children in the past – but I’m very happy that she volunteered to do so and I’m glad to have her back as an actively assigned CASA. Susan is one of our few volunteers who live out towards Douglas, so some of you may not know her that well. However, she does make it a


CASA of the Month!

Susan Struck November 2016

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point to attend trainings/meetings in Sierra Vista when she’s available, so I’m sure you’ll see her around. Susan used to be a pediatric nurse practitioner, so she has a lot of knowledge/experience that I’m sure she’d be glad to share with you. Thank you, Susan, for all that you do!


Studies have shown that living in a state of constant uncertainty and danger can have devastating impacts on a person’s health throughout their life. Our brains react to our environment and adapt to protect us but once a child has been removed from a toxic situation, how can we help them unlearn those coping mechanisms that manifest themselves as “behaviors?” Steady, healthy relationships over time will help a child learn to trust again but there are also other skills needed to deal with the day to day. That’s why many schools are beginning to practice mindfulness.

It’s a concept that has taken off in countries like Australia but it’s spreading more slowly in the US. The teacher asks the children to sit or lay on the floor, close their eyes and pay attention to their breathing and to their own thoughts. A video takes them through an exercise that helps focus on deep breaths. This practice lasts for about five minutes and allows the child to calm down, take stock of their own feelings, and prepare to focus on their learning.

That simple meditation time is making a difference for kids and adults too. In fact, the practice has been found to be so beneficial that more than 13,000 schools have incorporated it into their curriculum, and more than 200 businesses have begun implementing it in the workplace. An organization called Smiling Mind has launched a website and an app to make mindful meditation available to everyone, regardless of geography or financial means.

“The universities of UCLA, Harvard, Oxford, Monash, Johns Hopkins and Lund have all undertaken studies on mindfulness meditation, proving that regular practice helps combat stress, improves focus and increases resilience,” the Smiling Mind website says. “Brain imaging has also shown that meditation even changes the brain, thereby

reducing our stress response.”

Smilingmind.com.au and the Smiling Mind app provide resources and training for kids as young as 7 years old through adults. The organization has programs to help people implement mindful meditation in schools, sports, the workplace and in their personal lives. There are even smaller sessions to start with younger children.

While the practice may be beneficial to children who’ve experienced trauma it’s also a great tool for the people working with them. Practicing mindful meditation for five minutes each day can help manage stress and contribute to self-care. To access these tools and to begin using them in your own work visit smilingmind.com.au.

Practicing Mindful Meditation May Help Victims of TraumaBy Allison Hurtado, CASA Marketing & Community Outreach Specialist, AZ Supreme Court

Home of Lynn Vanderdasson5776 E. Perry LaneHereford, AZ 85615

Second Thursday of the Month

10:00am-12:00 noon

Evening Support Group

To Be Announced during December, January,

February, March

CASA Support Groups

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La Paz County had experienced three or more. Other counties reported an average of 28 percent of adults living in the county had experienced three or more ACEs. That information, according to Cara Christ, director of the Arizona Department of Health Services, will be used to better target services to ensure that the cycle of trauma does not continue.

More results of the survey done in Arizona can be found at http://bit.ly/2eYesqS.


Twenty years ago a landmark study by Kaiser Permanente and the Centers for Disease Control showed that abuse, neglect and household dysfunction children experience before the age of 18 can affect them for the rest of their lives. Today, as more healthcare and child welfare professionals work to spread their knowledge about this subject a new survey from the Arizona Department of Health Services shows that there are certain areas in Arizona where children and adults are more likely to have experienced a greater number of Adverse Childhood Experiences.

The survey, which also used information from the 2011/12 National Survey of Children’s Health, was shared during the Third Annual Adverse Childhood Experiences Forum in Phoenix on November 2. It showed that an estimated 5.92 percent of all kids in Santa Cruz County have experienced five or more ACEs, compared to other parts of the state like Mohave County where only 3.61 percent of the kids had experienced ACEs at the same rate.

The survey showed that statewide the number of children in Arizona with two or more ACEs is significantly higher than the U.S. as a whole. Forty-four percent of children ages 12 to 17 in Arizona have experienced two or more ACEs, compared to the national average of 30.5 percent.

A public survey done by the Arizona Department of Health Services in 2014 showed there are also counties in Arizona with more adults who have experienced ACEs at a greater rate. That survey showed that 56 percent of adults in Greenlee County had experienced three or more ACEs. Forty percent of adults in Mohave County and 38 percent of adults in Navajo County had experienced three or more as well. Only 16 percent of adults in Santa Cruz County and 17 percent of adults in

Arizona Has ACEs Hot SpotsBy Allison Hurtado, CASA Marketing & Community Outreach Specialist, AZ Supreme Court

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CCCC, IncCochise County Council for CASA, Inc

is a nonprofit organization that raises funds to the unmet needs of abused neglected and abandoned children in the CASA of Cochise County Program. The primary focus is to ensure the educational progress of CASA children through tutoring and scholarships. In addition the council provides clothing, toys and personal items.

If your CASA child/youth has an unmet need, consider the Cochise County Council for CASA

to help!!

Call your CASA Coordinator at 432-7521 OR

Send an email to [email protected]

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http://[email protected]

CASA of Cochise County News and Views

Created by Lissete Borbon, CASA Support Staff

December 2016 15

December 2016

FROM THE MANUAL

Petitioning & Finalizing Adoptions


Arizona Department of Child Safety: Policy and Procedure Manual

Chapter 5 (Child Permanency): Section 13

Policy

The Petition to Adopt shall be filed within six months of adoptive placement unless there are extenuating circumstances.

The Department shall ensure prospective adoptive parents understand the legal consequences of proceeding to file the Petition to Adopt a child where the order terminating parental rights is or may be appealed.

Prospective adoptive parents who reside in Arizona or non-residents who qualify pursuant to ARS § 8-103(B) may file the Petition to Adopt through the Office of the Attorney General, the County Attorney or a private attorney. The Department shall provide all necessary documentation to the selected attorney.

The prospective adoptive parents, in consultation with the attorney and Child Safety Specialist or contract agency case manager, will decide whether the Petition to Adopt for a child being adopted in Arizona is filed in the county where the adoptive family resides or in the county where

the child is a ward.

A dependent child is not required to be present in this state at the time the petition for adoption is filed.

A prospective adoptive parent who is a non-resident of this state, whether married, unmarried or legally separated, is eligible to qualify to adopt a child in Arizona if all of the following apply: the child is a dependent child and currently under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court in this state; the child currently resides in the home of the applicant; the Department placed the child in the home of the applicant; the Department recommends the adoption of the child by the applicant; and, the Foster Care Review Board has reviewed the child’s case, except that the court may not delay the child’s adoption if the Foster Care Review Board has not reviewed the child’s case. [ARS § 8-103(B)]

Certified adoptive parents may file more than one Petition to Adopt during a certification period.

Adoptions may be finalized six months after the petition is filed or sooner if the child meets the time frame criteria or reasons for an expedited adoption.

Expedited adoption may be requested under any of the following circumstances:


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December 2016

FROM THE MANUAL

Petitioning & Finalizing Adoptions (Continued)



• The child is diagnosed as having a chronically debilitating, progressive or fatal disease.

• The prospective adoptive parent or the natural parent or legal parent is diagnosed as being terminally ill.

• The court determines that other compelling reasons exist, based on the special needs and welfare of the child.

The prospective adoptive parent shall make the final decision on whether to file for an expedited adoption proceeding. The Department may either support or oppose this decision, based on consideration of the needs of the child.

The Department or contract agency shall conduct and submit a social study to the court ten days before the hearing on the petition to adopt. The social study shall include information as specified in ARS § 8-112(A).

When the prospective adoptive parent is the child’s step-parent who has been legally married to the child’s birth or legal parent for at least one year and the child has resided with the step-parent and parent for at least six months; or, is the adult sibling by whole or half-blood, aunt, uncle, grandparent or great-grandparent and the

child has resided with the prospective adoptive parent for at least six months, the social study will consist only of the results of:

• The state and federal criminal history records check; and

• Central Registry records check, on all adults permanently living in the household [ARS §8-112(D)].

When the prospective adoptive parent has adopted a child in this state, or was appointed permanent guardian of the child in the preceding three years or is a foster parent licensed by this state, and the child has resided with the prospective adoptive parent for at least six months, the social study will consist only of:

• The results of the Central Registry records check on all adults permanently living in the household; and

• A review of any material changes in circumstances since the previous adoption, permanent guardianship or license renewal that affect the parent’s ability to adopt. [ARS §8-112(E)]

Procedures

Considering a Petition to Adopt

To decide when to recommend a petition for adoption, consider these questions:

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December 2016

FROM THE MANUAL




• Is the child working through normal issues of adjustment to adoptive placement, including separation and loss, power and control, attachment and bonding?

• Does the family appear able to cope with the child's mechanisms for working out these issues? Does the family appear committed to addressing and resolving these issues with the child?

• Does the family have a support system to help them with future challenges related to the adoption?

• Does the child or the adoptive family's circumstances require expediting the adoption?

When considering whether to file a petition to adopt when the termination of parental rights order is or may be appealed, obtain approval from your Supervisor, Program Manager and AAG’s before proceeding.

Preparing documents for Filing of Petition to Adopt

Consult your supervisor to determine region procedures and responsibility for completion of the activities listed below.

For prospective adoptive parents who reside in Arizona or for qualifying non-resident adoptive parents who elect to file in Arizona, consult with the family to determine if the Petition for Adoption will be filed through the Office of the Attorney General, the County Attorney or a private attorney.

To obtain the agency's consent for adoption, request, in writing, a signed, witnessed and notarized Consent of Department to Adoption, from the Program Manager or designee. Send the original and one copy to the courtesy supervision case manager, if applicable.

To prepare for the filing of the Petition to Adopt complete or have the adoptive parents complete the documents required by the attorney filing the petition which may include but not be limited to the:

• Application for Adoption or Adoption Certification Application window.

• Department of Health Services form, VS-5, Certificate of Adoption, parts I and II.

• Original Consent of Department to Adoption.

For prospective adoptive parents who are adopting a child where the order terminating the parent-child relationship is or may be appealed, confirm the prospective adoptive parents have read and understand the legal consequences should the appeal be granted and the

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http://intranet/Linkit.aspx?Filelocn=InternetFiles/InternetProgrammaticForms/doc/CSO-1052A.doc&FileType=2&FileId=9067

December 2016

FROM THE MANUAL




adoption decree overturned as described in the Adoptive Placement Agreement, CSO-1055. If not previously signed, have the adoptive parent(s) sign the completed Adoptive Placement Agreement, CSO-1055. Have the adoptive parent(s) initials Items F through J on the Adoptive Placement Agreement, CSO-1055.

Compile and forward to the attorney representing the prospective adoptive parents other documentation as required by the attorney or the court.

In situations where the agency has been requested to consent to an adoption and the Child Safety Specialist and/or contract agency case manager assess that adoption by the family is not in the child’s best interests, the Child Safety Specialist and/or contract agency case manager shall document their specific reasons for this assessment. The Child Safety Specialist and/or contract agency case manager shall consult with their Regional Program Administrator or designee regarding whether the agency should consent to the adoption. If the decision is made not to consent, the Child Safety Specialist and/or contract agency shall immediately notify the Assistant Attorney General. NOTE: The court may waive the Department’s consent if the court determines, after a

hearing on actual notice to all persons who may be adversely affected, that waiving the requirement is clearly in the child’s best interest.

Preparing Finalization Documentation

To prepare for the finalization of the adoption petition:

• For step-parent and specified relatives, ensure the state and federal criminal history records and Central Registry records clearance of child abuse and neglect reports and history on all adults permanently living in the household are current within the last year. Do not complete a state and federal criminal records check on a birth or legal parent who has custody of the child to be adopted.

• For former Arizona adoptive parents, Arizona licensed foster parents and permanent guardians complete a review of any material changes in circumstances that affect the prospective adoptive parent's ability to adopt since the parent's adoption certification or foster parent license renewal or permanent guardianship, using the Social Study - Part 2, CT 05200 found in the Court Document Detail. Ensure a current Central Registry records check of child abuse and neglect reports and history has been completed on all adults permanently living in the household.

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December 2016

FROM THE MANUAL




• For all other prospective adoptive parents, complete the Social Study (CT04500 in the Court Document Detail).

Unless directed by the court to complete a comprehensive social study report, submit the following documents to the court and the Office of the Attorney General, ten days prior to the hearing on the Petition to Adopt.

• When the prospective adoptive parent is the child's step-parent who has been married to the child's natural or legal parent for at least one year and the child has resided with the step-parent and parent for at least six months; or is the adult sibling by whole or half-blood, aunt, uncle, grandparent or great-grandparent and the child has resided with the prospective adoptive parent for at least six months submit:

o Verification of the state and federal criminal history records check (within the last year) or a valid level one fingerprint clearance card sent to the court;

o Results of the current Central Registry records check;

o Arizona State Department of Health Services form VS-5, Certificate of Adoption;

o Communication agreement, if applicable; and

o Addendum Report to Juvenile Court, CT00200, if applicable.

• When the prospective adoptive parent has adopted a child in this state, or was appointed permanent guardian of the child in the preceding three years or is a foster parent licensed by this state, and the child has resided with the prospective adoptive parent for at least six months, submit:

o Social Study-Part 2, CT05200;

o Results of the current Central Registry records check;

o Arizona State Department of Health Services form VS-5, Certificate of Adoption;

o Communication Agreement, if applicable; and

o Addendum Report to Juvenile Court, CT00200, if applicable.

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https://extranet.azdes.gov/dcyfpolicy/Content/05_Child_Permanency/Adoption/communication_agreements.htm

December 2016

FROM THE MANUAL




For all other prospective adoptive parents, submit the following:

• The Social Study report, CT04500;

• Communication Agreement, if applicable;

• Arizona State Department of Health Services form VS-5, Certificate of Adoption; and

• Addendum Report to Juvenile Court, CT00200, if applicable

If the prospective adoptive parent retained an attorney to file the Petition to Adopt, send the above documents as applicable, excluding the results of the state and federal criminal history records check and the Central Registry records check, to the attorney.

After the Petition to Adopt has been filed, provide written notification of the date, time and location of the hearing on the petition to the adoptive parents.

If the adoptive family has applied for Adoption Subsidy have the application reviewed by the Adoption Subsidy Review Committee . If Adoption Subsidy has been approved ensure that there is a signed Adoption Subsidy agreement prior to finalization of the adoption.

Attend the final hearing and testify, as required.

If necessary, facilitate the sharing of identifying information between the adoptive and birth parents.

If a child has been in the adoptive placement for six months or longer and a Petition to Adopt has not been filed, unless extenuating circumstances exist, convene a case conference to discuss reasons for the delay. Participants should include the supervisor, Program Manager or designee and others who are involved with the case. The purpose of the case conference is to discuss the reasons for the delay and to develop a plan to address identified issues. The plan should include the identification of specific services or supports that are to be provided, dates those are to begin, and a projected date for review of the plan and progress being made.

Documentation

Document sending the packet to the Office of the Attorney General, the county attorney or the attorney representing the prospective adoptive parent using Case Notes window. Keep a copy of the packet documents in the child's hard copy record.

Document sending of the notification of the hearing date, time and location using the Case Notes window. File a copy of the notification letter in the child’s hard copy case record.

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https://extranet.azdes.gov/dcyfpolicy/Content/05_Child_Permanency/Adoption_subsidy/as_review_comittee.htm

https://extranet.azdes.gov/dcyfpolicy/Content/05_Child_Permanency/Adoption_subsidy/as_review_comittee.htm

December 2016

FROM THE MANUAL



Finalization

Terminate CMDP coverage and other DCS services such as child care.

Ensure that the dependency is dismissed.

Notify the Assistant Attorney General and FCRB that the adoption is final.

If applicable, send a copy of the Order of Adoption showing the finalization date to the Adoption Subsidy Unit and DCS Eligibility Unit.

For Indian children subject to the Indian Child Welfare Act, follow procedures in Adoption of an Indian Child .

Documentation

After the final Order of Adoption and the dismissal of dependency is received, close the child's record by updating the child's legal status on the Legal Status window, end dating open service authorizations, and completing the Case Closure window within five days. Route the hard copy records to closed records.

If the adoptive parent elects to remain on the CHILDS Provider (Adoption) Registry, add the adopted child to the Provider Maintenance Household window.

If the adoptive parent elects not to remain on the CHILDS Provider (Adoption) Registry, update the Provider Maintenance Status List Detail and Provider Maintenance Service Detail windows to close the adoption certification record and services. Send a letter to the family notifying them that their case record has been closed.

I didn’t give you the gift of life,But in my heart I know.

The love I feel is deep and real,As if it had been so.

For us to have each otherIs like a dream come true!

No, I didn’t give youThe gift of life,Life gave me the gift of you.

~Unknown

22

https://extranet.azdes.gov/dcyfpolicy/Content/06_Special_Circumstances/05_13%20ICWA/adoption_consent_indian_child.htm


CASA Family Album

Pat Letto and the Dodge Family enjoying the Veterans Day Parade

~Photos courtesy of Ned Letto

Kathy Shaughnessy (middle) taking her bow as the curtain closes on Bisbee’s Obscure Productions’

presentation of Murder, Margaret and Me.

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casa of cochise county · casa of cochise county news and views december 2016 national adoption day...

Documents