OAR 413-130-0050: Adoption Assistance Application Requirements and Responsibilities

(1) A licensed adoption agency recommending adoption assistance for a pre-adoptive family must verify and document that recruitment efforts under OAR 413-130-0020(2)(c) were made for the child. (2) A pre-adoptive family under OAR 413-130-0040(5) may contact the Adoption Assistance and Guardianship Assistance Unit for help in submitting a written adoption assistance application directly to the Department. (3) A pre-adoptive family of a child in the custody of the Department must notify the Department in writing if they choose not to accept any form of adoption assistance. (4) An adoption assistance application is considered complete when the Adoption Assistance and Guardianship Assistance Unit has received a signed adoption assistance application form and all supporting documentation. (5) Except as described in subsections (a) and (b) of this section, the Adoption Assistance and Guardianship Assistance Unit must begin negotiation of the adoption assistance agreement no later than 60 calendar days after receipt of a completed adoption assistance application submitted for a legally free child in the home of an approved pre-adoptive family. (a) The Adoption Assistance and Guardianship Unit may delay negotiation of the adoption assistance payment for a completed application when the child is due for an updated CANS screening, a new CANS screening is warranted, or a CANS screening is in process or completed but a decision is pending regarding the level of care payment. The unit must begin negotiation no later than 30 calendar days from receipt of the final decision regarding the level of care payment. (b) The Adoption Assistance and Guardianship Unit may delay negotiation following a request by the caseworker, the pre-adoptive family, or adoptive family when there are extenuating circumstances regarding the child or family. The unit must begin negotiation no later than 30 calendar days from notification that the extenuating circumstance causing the delay has been resolved.