Section 401.520  Adoptive Parents Training

a)         Agencies providing adoption services shall provide prospective adoptive parents with a training program that shall include:

1)         A minimum of 6 clock hours of training for private domestic adoption families and a minimum of 10 clock hours of training for international adoptions; at least 4 of the 10 hours shall be in person (see 22 CFR 96.48(a));

2)         Counseling and guidance for promoting a successful adoption in conjunction with the placement of a child for adoption with the prospective parents;

3)         Additional training of the adoptive parent, as necessary, to meet the needs of the adoptive family or child prior to the adoption.

b)         The adoptive parent training may be provided by an agent or independent contractor of the child welfare agency, provided the curriculum has the prior written approval of the Department's Office of Training.

c)         All agencies shall keep on file a written record of the nature and extent of the training provided to the adoptive parents.

d)         An eligible adoption agency may be deemed compliant with this Section. This presumption of compliance may be rebutted by the Department with substantiated evidence to the contrary. The Department may require periodic certification of COA accreditation from the agency.  [225 ILCS 10/2.27 and 7.5]

(Source:  Amended at 37 Ill. Reg. 19115, effective November 30, 2013)