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B. USE AND DISTRIBUTION OF FORMS
C. PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION FOR THE FORMS DSS-5102 AND DSS-5103.
1. The Non-Identifying Background Information Form (DSS-5102) has been developed pursuant to N.C.G.S.§48-3-205. It is designed to contain non-identifying information about the characteristics of the birth parents of a child released for adoption.
2. The Adoption Health History Form, Parts I and II, (DSS-5103) has been developed pursuant to N.C.G.S.§48-3-205 and is designed to contain a complete non-identifying health history, if available, of birth parents and other relatives.
1. Required Use and Distribution of Forms
For all adoptions completed, the Non-Identifying Background and Information and the Adoption Health History Forms are to be completed insofar as possible and given to the adoptive parents. For those adoptions not yet completed through the Decree of Adoption, these two forms are to be completed and given to the adoptive parents prior to entry of the Decree of Adoption.
2. Optional Use and Distribution of Forms
These same forms may be used, if desired, to provide characteristic and health information about birth parents and other relatives upon receipt of a written request for such information from the adoptive parents and/or the adoptee or the information may be presented in narrative form, if desired.
3. Additional Information About Non-Identifying Background and Health History N.C.G.S.§48-9-103 allows an adoptive parent, an adult adoptee, or a minor adoptee who is a parent or expectant parent to request a copy of DSS-5102 and DSS-5103.
1. Agency Adoptions
When possible, staff should seek the assistance of the birth parents in completing the Non-Identifying Background Information and the Adoption Health History Forms. In cases in which the agency is working with the parents prior to their releasing their child for adoption, this will pose little or no problem. In an effort to obtain as much accurate information as possible about the child's birth family, the forms should be given to the parents for completion, with the instructions that they should feel free to seek the help of their parents and/or other relatives in obtaining information to be included on the Adoption Health History Forms. Family centered practice tells us that it may be beneficial to assist the birth family in completing the form.
2. Non-Agency Adoptions
A separate Adoption Health History Form, Part II, is to be completed for each birth parent. In cases in which the child has been placed directly by the birth parents with the adoptive parents, these forms should have been completed by the birth parents at the time of the agency's assessment. In other cases, such as relative adoptions, the agency will become aware of and involved in the case only after receipt of the Order for a Report on Proposed Adoption (DSS-1807), after the Petition for Adoption of a Minor Child (DSS-1800) has been filed. In such cases, family centered practice tells us that the agency should make every effort to assist petitioner(s) to obtain the information needed for the Non-Identifying Background Information (DSS-5102) and the Adoption Health History (DSS-5103). Often, this will mean that the agency receiving the Order for a Report on Proposed Adoption (DSS-1807) from the Court will need to contact an agency or agencies in another county or state for assistance in this matter.
There should be no attempt to contact the birth parents after an adoption has been completed through the Decree of Adoption in an effort to obtain information for the Non-Identifying Background and Adoption Health History Forms. However, when working with the birth parents at the time of release to the agency or, in independent placements, following receipt of the Order for a Report to the Court, the adoption worker should encourage them to feel comfortable about providing the agency with relevant and current medical information on a continuing basis. Contact must then be made with the adoptive parents to share any such information that may affect the health of the adoptee (N.C.G.S.§48-9-103(e)).
In all contacts with birth parents around obtaining the information for these two forms, the parents should be helped to understand the value that this information will have for the adoptive parents and for the child they are releasing or have released for adoption.
In particular, medical facilities are increasingly seeking detailed medical background information as they evaluate and develop treatment plans for patients, and this information can be of critical importance.
In motions by adult adoptees under N.C.G.S.§48-9-105, the Clerk must consider the appointment of an intermediary to obtain information from the birth parents in a non-identifying manner, and many clerks will ask the placing agency to serve as an intermediary, locate the birth parents, obtain updated background and medical information for the adoptee and ascertain their desire to be identified to the adult adoptee.
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For questions or clarification on any of the policy contained in these manuals, please contact your local county office. |
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