SOP 2.1.1

R. 11/1/07

SWIFT ADOPTION TEAMS

COA STANDARDS:

  • S14.3 Adoption Services - Services for the Child

LEGAL AUTHORITY:

  • KRS 199.565 Statewide swift adoption procedures; protocol; teams; quarterly reports

INTRODUCTION:
The mission of the Swift Adoption Team is to expedite the achievement of a finalized adoption. The Service Region Administrator (SRA) or designee establishes a Swift Adoption Team for every child whose goal is adoption.

The Swift Chair collects and updates data for each child in their region whose goal is adoption. This data is captured in the TWIST Swift screens and is used to help expedite each child to permanency.

PROCEDURES:

1.The Swift Chair, upon notification of the goal change(Link to SOP 7C.10.3):

(a)Requests that the SSW enter the DCBS-84 into TWIST;

(b)Ensures the availability of approved adoptive homes is assessed through a match in TWIST if a foster parent adoption is not proposed(Link to TWIST Handbook);

(c)Convenes the initial meeting of the child’s Swift Adoption Team within ten (10) working days. The Swift Adoption Team consists of, but is not limited to the following members:

(1)Swift Adoption Team Chair;

(2)Social Service Worker (SSW);

(3)Family Services Office Supervisor (FSOS);

(4)Recruitment and Certification (R&C) Family Services Office Supervisor;

(5)Regional Foster/Adoption Specialist;

(6)Regional Attorney;

(7)Foster parents, PCC foster parents and staff;

(8)SNAP specialists, if a foster parent adoption is not proposed; and

(9)Other appropriate persons, including therapists, etc.

2.The Swift Adoption Team and Chair:

(a)Monitors the progress of the child's case through TPR and adoption finalization by conducting Swift Adoption Team Meetings at a minimum of every six months;

(b)Identifies barriers that will delay or impede the timely adoption of the child including:

(1)Biological family issues;

(2)Absent parent search;

(3)Court issues;

(4)Foster parent adoption issues;

(5)Sibling issues;

(6)Unresolved separation and loss issues;

(7)Adoptive family issues;

(8)Appeals process;

(9)Internal System Issues; and

(10)Disruptions or any other identified barrier.

(c)Utilizes resources and develops an action plan to eliminate barriers to permanency for each child;

(d)Adheres to policies regarding ICWA and the Multi-Ethnic Placement Act (Link to SOP 7C.3);

(e)Conducts a review of the child's history and considers potential adoptive resources (Link to SOP 2.2 Placement Resources);

(f)Consults with SNAP staff, when a child has no identified adoptive family, to coordinate recruitment efforts and ensures a SNAP referral is completed according to SOP 2.2.6 Referral of a Child to SNAP;

(g)Refers unresolved barriers or issues to the regional Continuous Quality Improvement teams, SRA or designee, or Central Office staff as appropriate; and

(h)Completes Swift tracking in TWIST and reviews the Swift Adoption Report with regional management staff to identify regional trends and improve service delivery.

3.The SSW documents:

(a)All information from the Swift Adoption Team meetings in the case record (TWIST screens); and

(b)Efforts to explore placement options for the child including foster parent adoption on the DCBS-84.

4.The Swift Chair reconvenes Swift Meetings:

(a)At a minimum of every six months for each child with the goal of adoption; and

(b)If the needs of the child require further review.