Section R512-41-5 - Matching the Child and the Adoptive Parents(1) The selection of the adoptive parents for a child or sibling group will be determined based on the best interest of the child.(2) The decision must be based on a thorough assessment of the child's current and potential development, medical, emotional, and educational needs, as well as needs for family connections.(3) The capacity of the prospective adoptive parents to successfully meet the child's needs and to love and accept the child as a fully integrated member of the family must be considered.(4) The child's preference may be considered, if the child has the capacity to express a preference.(5) Sibling groups should not be separated:(a) if siblings are not placed together and there are no safety concerns that preclude the siblings being together, Child and Family Services should reconsider a family for the siblings to be adopted together; or(b) If siblings are not able to be adopted together or if being taken from a current family would create undue trauma to the child, arrangements should be made to allow life-long contact to be pursued between the adoptive families of the separated siblings.(6) Foster care parents or other caregivers with physical custody of the child may be given preferential consideration for adoption if the child has substantial emotional ties with the foster parents or caregivers and if removal of the child from the foster parents or caregivers would be detrimental to the child's well-being.(7) Child and Family Services shall provide detailed information about the child to the prospective adoptive parents, allowing sufficient time for the prospective adoptive parents to make an informed decision regarding placement of the child. The information given to the prospective adoptive parents must include detailed information available in writing that is important to raise the child. Child and Family Services and the prospective adoptive parents will acknowledge receipt of the information by signing a Child and Family Services' information disclosure form. Child and Family Services shall respond to questions or concerns of the prospective adoptive parents. The prospective adoptive parents shall have the opportunity to meet the child before permanent placement. Release of documents is subject to the Government Records Access Management Act, Title 63G, Chapter 2. (8) When the approved adoptive parents agree to accept the placement of a child for adoption, the adoptive parents and a representative from Child and Family Services shall sign an agreement for the intent to adopt a specific child on a form provided by Child and Family Services.(9) When the adoptive parents agree to accept the placement of a child who is not free for adoption, the parents shall sign the Child and Family Services' foster care agreement.Utah Admin. Code R512-41-5
Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2016-11, effective 5/9/2016Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2019-24, effective 11/21/2019Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2022-07, effective 3/11/2022