Question of the day......What are post-placment visits, and why do we have to do them...

I frequently get phone calls from people asking about post-placement supervisory visits...... they want to know what they entail, how often they have to be done, and what they will cost.

Post-placement supervisory visits occur after an adopted child has been placed in your home, and they must be completed before your adoption can be finalized.

The number of visits, and where they are done is determined by the state where the baby is born - or if the birth mother waives her rights in favor of a state other than the one where the baby is born - for instance in favor of the state where the agency or the adopting family is from than that state will determine the number and location of the post-placement visits. 

Typically most of the Post-placement visits are done in the adopting family's home, but some states may allow visits to be done in the adoption agency's office. 

Visits are typically done 30-60 days apart, and in most states 3 visits are required within the first six months following placement of a child in an adoptive family's home.....

REMEMBER - EVERY STATE HAS DIFFERENT REQUIREMENTS REGARDING POST-PLACEMENT SUPERVISORY VISITS - SO ASK YOUR AGENCY OR ADOPTION PROFESSIONAL WHAT IS GOING TO BE REQUIRED IN YOUR CASE....

Typically during a post-placement visit the adoptive family is interviewed, and the social worker observes interaction between the family and their adopted child.  The family is asked questions that deal with their child's growth and development, the child's adjustment to the adoptive family, and about their adjustment to their newest family member....

In many states an adoptive family's other child/ren must also be interviewed as part of the post-placement visit.

It is also typical that at some time during the post-placement supervisory period you will be asked to provide the agency with a report from your adopted child's pediatrician so that the agency can ensure  the child is not being abused, that the child's immunizations are current, and that the doctor has no concerns regarding the adoptive family's ability to parent the child.  Some states also require a statement from the child's daycare provider if they are being cared for on a regular basis by someone other than the child's adoptive parents.  The agency will also ask to see the adopted child's room.

The cost for post-placement supervisory visits varies from agency to agency.  Some agencies charge for visits and travel costs as they do them - others charge a flat fee for Post-placement visits.

Typically a post-placement visit with our agency takes 45 minutes to an hour.

Make sure you know your agency's policies regarding post-placement visits, and remember if you have any additional questions...........just holler HEY ADOPTION LADY!