Arizona Adoption Certification Process
ACYF & DDD

1. ALL MEMBERS OF THE HOUSEHOLD SHALL AGREE WITH THE DECISION TO BECOME CERTIFIED. The decision to be certified and to provide an adoptive home to a child must be a family decision. The placement of an adoptive child in the home will significantly impact the entire family and household in terms of space, time commitment, and the regular routine of the household.

• A Place To Call Home must ensure that natural children do not feel displaced or give up their bedroom in order to accommodate the placement of an adoptive child.

2. APPLICATION: Applicants can be married or single persons desiring to be certified as an adoptive parent.

• Must be 21 years of age or older.

• If married, the couple must apply jointly for a certificate and both spouses must meet all of the requirements.

• Two individuals who wish to share child care duties and responsibilities for a child must apply for adoption certification separately. Once separately certified for adoption, each individual, would then be eligible to separately adopt a child.

3. REFERENCES: No less than five references must be obtained for each applicant. The intent of this rule is to obtain additional information regarding the character, skill, and qualifications of applicants from individuals who have had close and long-standing contact (at least known for one year) with the applicant. It is intended that if the applicant is married, personal references should be acquainted with the couple. The reference should have knowledge of the family/individual in the home as well as in the community. They should be familiar with family relationships, personal characteristics, and how the applicant deals with stress.

• Two of the references must be relatives, related to the applicant by blood or marriage.

• Three of the references must be personal references.

• References cannot be from individuals living in the home.

• If there are school-age children in the home, references from each teacher will also be needed.

4. FINGERPRINTING: The applicant(s) and each adult (18+ years of age) family member and other adults living on the property need to be fingerprinted for a criminal history record check. The intent of this rule is to protect children from contact with persons who have a criminal record. By requiring fingerprinting, the State of Arizona may assure that individuals who may present a threat to children based on criminal activities and conduct do not have direct contact in the home.

• Persons who are 80 years of age or older can be exempted from this rule.

• Fingerprint forms will be provided to you. This often holds up the adoption process, so it is important that you take care of this immediately.

5. CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES RECORDS CHECK: All family members and other adults living on the premises shall authorize A Place To Call Home to submit a background check to CPS. Conducting such screenings and background checks provides A Place To Call Home with additional information regarding actions and behaviors of applicants related to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of children.

• It is very important that applicants are honest with A Place To Call Home regarding their past. Disclose any previous contacts with CPS. If you have a record with CPS, this does not necessarily disqualify you from becoming certified to adopt children.

6. INTERVIEWS: The home study process includes interviews of all household members. The interview process is designed to assist A Place To Call Home in evaluating the applicant(s) with respect to character, ability to care for others, and the ability to parent a child with special needs. The interview process also allows A Place To Call Home to evaluate the home environment, the family interactions, and dynamics to determine if the applicant can provide a nurturing, safe, permanent and appropriate environment for adoptive children.

• The Family Assessment Guide will need to be completed in order to conduct interviews. This guide can be filled out by the applicant, or in conjunction with the Family Specialist.

• Interviews will be conducted individually and as a family as a whole. 

• It is very important to answer questions honestly. None of us are perfect. Each of us has a past, and this past is what makes us who we are today. Sometimes, by learning from our past, we are able to help others through similar situations.

7. DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC SECURITY INSPECTION: The Department of Economic Security will schedule a time to come to your home to ensure the physical safety of the home and property. A fire inspection will be completed for mobile homes.

• Inspection tips will be given to you in order for you to get prepared for the inspection. Some examples of items that will be looked at include: locked medicines and toxics, (we recommend Tot Locks, with magnet.), fire extinguisher (size 2A10BC), fire detectors in central sleeping locations, usable exits from home, food storage techniques, general cleanliness, and pool fences.

• A Place To Call Home will complete an initial inspection of the home prior to the DES inspection. We are here to assist you to be in compliance with all of the rules.

8. MONTHLY BUDGET FORM: Every applicant must have income or resources to be able to pay all of their expenses without payments from adoption subsidy. The intent of this rule is to assure that applicants have an income sufficient to meet the needs of their family unit and that funds paid to them for adoption subsidy are not likely to be used to support their family. When completing the budget, try to be as realistic as possible, estimating all costs on a monthly basis.

• A Place To Call Home wants to ensure that applicants are not interested in adoption solely for the adoption subsidy.

• In addition to completing the monthly budget form, you must also submit verification of income (usually a copy of your pay stub or bank statement).

9. PHYSICIAN'S REPORT OF HEALTH: A Physician's Statement of Health is required for all adults in the home. The intent of this rule is to determine if an applicant has sufficient stamina, physical health and agility; and mental and emotional health to care for, supervise and meet the needs of adoptive children.

• The physician's report should be completed by the applicant's primary care physician or a medical doctor familiar with your medical and psychological history.

• The report should include a description of your general health status and emotional status including any on-going medical or emotional problems or treatments.

• The report should include a list of regularly prescribed medications and the purpose of each.

• The report must be signed and dated by the examining doctor.

10. PRESERVICE TRAINING: Each applicant is required to complete a minimum of 21 hours of pre-service training. A Place To Call Home's adoption certification training is a total of 36 hours. Below is a list of all of the trainings that need to be completed for certification.
    
    Philosophy and mission statement.
    Characteristics and needs of children who may be placed in adoptive homes.
    The role of the adoptive parent as a member of the care and service team.
    The importance of birth parent and family involvement in a child's life.
    Methods for appropriately addressing the cultural, ethnic, religious needs of children.
    Attachment, separation, and loss issues for children and families.
    Behavior management policies and practices and the discipline policy.
    Confidentiality.
    Emergency procedures.
    Resources and support services available to adoptive children and adoptive parents.
    Adoption subsidy.
    Placing agency and adoption contact persons and procedures.
    The impact of adopting on the adoptive parent and the adoptive parent's own family.
    Specialized topics related to child welfare, health, growth, or development.
    The Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978.
    Adoptive Parent rights and responsibilities.
    Guardianship.
    Foster Care Review Board and Court Appointed Special Advocates.
    How adoptive placements are made and the adoption process.
    Overview of abused and neglected children.
    Accessing medical care.
    CPS reporting and investigations.
    Medication administration.
    Record keeping.
    Adoption certification requirements for the adoptive homes.
    
    In addition, each applicant must certify in CPR and First Aid techniques. A Place to Call Home will hold classes, for no charge. However, you may receive your certification elsewhere if you elect. Be sure to obtain a certificate with your name, the course title, the date of training, the expiration date, and the instructor's signature.
    
    Check with your Family Specialist for a training calendar for specific dates and times.
     

11. FIRE EVACUATION/FLOOR PLAN: Instructions for drawing a floor plan and fire escape route/plan will be given to you by A Place To Call Home. Please follow the instructions carefully, being sure to include room sizes, the location of the room in which the adoptive child will sleep and how you will get him/her out in case of a fire.
     

12. VERIFICATIONS: A Place To Call Home must have copies of the following documents:

• Arizona Drivers Licenses

• Social Security Cards (for all household members)

• Birth Certificates (for all household members)

• Current Auto Insurance

• Marriage Licenses/Divorce Decrees

• Children's Immunizations

• Adoption papers (if applicable)

• Legal Guardianship papers (if applicable)

• Rabies/Animal Licenses for all dogs (if applicable)

13. HOME STUDY: The adoption process takes approximately 3 months to complete. Once A Place To Call Home obtains the above information, a home study will be written. This home study will be submitted to the Juvenile Court for approval or denial of an adoption certification. During this time, A Place To Call Home will be searching for an appropriate child for your home. And remember, an important part of the adoption certification process is honesty. Falsification of information is grounds to deny certification.