Common use of The CDSS Shall Clause in Contracts

The CDSS Shall. a. Assess the child with the County pursuant to WIC section 361.5 (g) as soon as practically possible, and before the filing date of the report recommending FR services not be provided. b. Assess the child with the County approximately 90 days before the 6-month and 12-month review hearings required by WIC section 366.21, the 18-month review hearing required by WIC section 366.22, and the 24-month review hearing required by WIC section 366.25, as applicable. c. Prior to placement, or as soon thereafter as possible, review with the County the assessment of relatives and/or other potential caregivers that are being considered as a placement resource for a child where successful FR is unlikely. d. Consult with the County social worker about the possibility of parental relinquishment of the child. If the parent expresses an interest in pursuing adoption, the adoption worker shall discuss relinquishment with the parent. If a relinquishment is taken, the CDSS shall provide written notice to the juvenile court, the relinquishing parent(s) attorney, the child’s attorney and the County. e. Interview the birth parent whenever possible to advise him or her of the availability of a post adoption agreement and to secure medical/social background information concerning the child and birth parent. The birth parent shall be advised that adoption records are kept permanently, and of the opportunity to place information in the adoptions case files after finalization of the adoption. They shall also be informed of the procedures for sharing information or having contact after the adoptee becomes an adult. f. Provide assessment of the child before the WIC section 366.26 hearing. This assessment may include a review of the case record, discussions with the County social worker, contacts with the child, the present caretaker, and any other collateral persons involved with the child. g. Work with the County to prepare a report for the WIC section 366.26 hearing. The CDSS report shall be submitted to the County 21 calendar days before the hearing, and shall include: (1) An evaluation of the child’s medical, developmental, scholastic, mental, and emotional status. (2) The relationship of the child to any siblings, identified prospective adoptive parents, the duration and character of the relationships, the potential for a post adoption contact agreement, the motivation for seeking adoption, and a statement from the child about placement and the adoption (unless the child is unable to give a meaningful response, in which case the child’s condition should be stated). (3) An analysis of the likelihood that the child shall be adopted if parental rights are terminated. h. Be available for contested WIC section 366.26 hearings to present expert testimony regarding the child’s adoptability and other relevant information. i. If the juvenile court identifies adoption as a permanent goal, it can, without terminating parental rights, order the CDSS to locate an adoptive home for the child within 180 days. This applies only to a child whom the court determines is difficult to place for adoption and there is no identified adoptive family. During the 180 days period, the CDSS shall contact other private and public adoption agencies about the availability of the child for adoption. j. Provide information concerning adoption to prospective adoptive parents including the availability of, and requirements for, post adoption contact agreements, pursuant to Family Code section 8616.5. k. Prepare the child for adoption. (This may or may not include a placement change.) l. Coordinate efforts with ICPC to establish and maintain adoptive placements for dependent children who are placed out of state. m. Place the child for adoption. Placing a child for adoption may include both moving a child to an adoptive home and, signing adoption placement documents or signing documents to change the child’s current ▇▇▇▇▇▇ placement status to adoption. n. Promptly notify the County of the date of adoptive placement and the date ▇▇▇▇▇▇ care payment is discontinued. These events may not necessarily occur on the same date. o. Establish AAP eligibility of the child, determine and negotiate benefits, duration, and review and reassess AAP benefits as needed. Prepare the AAP paperwork, including payment instructions to the County. The duration and amount of all AAP benefits must comply with State regulations. p. Assume exclusive care and control of the child, for the purpose of supervising the adoptive placement pursuant to WIC section 366.26(j), until finalization of the adoption. q. Prepare and present a report to the court in the county in which the Adoption Request was filed with a recommendation concerning the adoption. If the Adoption Request includes a post adoption contact agreement, the CDSS shall address in its’ report whether the post adoption contact agreement is in the child’s best interest. r. Confirm in writing to the County that the adoption is finalized and request dependency be dismissed. The CDSS is not authorized to provide the County with a copy of the final decree of adoption. s. Document case management activities in CWS/CMS or CWS/CARES pursuant to state guidelines. t. Conduct other appropriate and necessary permanency planning activities as needed. u. When appropriate, the CDSS may decide to participate in case appellate work, including, but not limited to, filing appeal briefs.