Section 400.12709. Placement selection.

(1) An agency shall document how all of the following factors were assessed in selecting appropriate adoptive parents:

(a)   The physical, emotional, medical, and educational needs of the child.

(b)   The child’s needs for continued contact with the birth parent, siblings, relatives, foster parents, and other persons significant to the child.

(c)   The racial, ethnic, and cultural identity, heritage, and background. The child’s racial, ethnic, and cultural identity, heritage, and background may only be considered if an assessment of the individual child indicates that such consideration is in the best interests of the child.

(2)   An agency shall place a child with agency-approved adoptive parents consistent with the needs of the child identified in subrule (1) of this rule, the child evaluation required by R 400.12708 and the agency’s adoptive parent recommendation as required by R 400.12607.

(3)   An agency shall require a social service supervisor or chief administrator if the placement is recommended by a social service supervisor, to approve or deny the recommendation for placement by the social service worker. The approval shall be documented in the record.

(4)     An agency may approve overnight pre-placement visits to a family being considered for adoption of a child. Pre-placement visits may only occur under the following conditions:

(a)   If the placement selected is a licensed foster home, the certifying agency gives approval prior to any visits starting.

(b)                   There is an approved child evaluation.

(c)   There is an approved family evaluation.

(d)  The child evaluation has been shared with the prospective adoptive family prior to any pre-placement visits occurring.

(e)   Planning for pre-placement visits is focused on the best interests of the child.

(f)   There is a written plan for transitioning the child from the foster home to the adoptive home.

(g)   Unless there are exceptional circumstances, that the transition period will not exceed 3 calendar months. A transitional period of more than 3 calendar months shall be approved in writing by the MCI superintendent or the court with jurisdiction over the child.

(h)    Overnight visitation is done in compliance with section 1 of 1973 PA 116, MCL 722.111(i).

(5)    A public or private agency may place a child in an unlicensed home for the purposes of adoption if all of the following conditions have been met:

(a)      The  adoptive   parents  have  received  orientation   in  accordance  with   the requirements of R 400.12604 and R 400.12707.

(b)     The evaluation of the prospective adoptive parents has been completed in accordance with the requirements of R 400.12605 and the placement is consistent with the recommendation completed in accordance with R 400.12607.

(c)   Supervisory approval of the placement has been documented in accordance with the requirements of subrule (3) of this rule.

(d)   The adoptive petition has been filed with the court or consent to adopt has been granted by the authorized agency representative.

(6)    The provisions of this rule do not prohibit a temporary placement made under section 23d of 1939 PA 288, MCL 710.23d.

History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2014 AACS.