Or. Admin. Code § 413-120-0628 - Criteria for Using the Cooperative Adoption Mediation Process

(1) The fundamental criteria for referring a child for a cooperative adoption mediation process is the best interest of the child's well-being, permanency and safety. It is the responsibility of the department to determine if a referral for mediation is appropriate in accordance with the criteria of OAR 413-120-0628(1) through (3).

(2) Parent(s) who actively chose adoption for their child through voluntary relinquishment of parental rights and who do not present a danger to their child or to an adoptive family, may be most appropriate to participate in a cooperative adoption mediation process. However, parent(s) who have an adversarial relationship with the Department may be able to work cooperatively with a mediator and the adoptive family in a cooperative adoption mediation process.

(3) The decision of a birth parent(s) to relinquish parental rights or a Department decision to proceed to a termination of parental rights trial must be made independent from the Department's decision to refer a case for cooperative adoption mediation. One decision must not be conditioned upon the other.

(a) Relinquishment or termination of parental rights resolves the child's legal status;

(b) The cooperative adoption mediation process is not a means to avoid a termination of parental rights trial. At no time shall a voluntary relinquishment be conditioned on the willingness of the birth parent(s) and/or adoptive parent(s) to enter into a cooperative adoption mediation process;

(c) Caseworkers may not guarantee a certain level of openness in adoption nor make any promises regarding the cooperative adoption mediation process to convince a parent(s) to voluntarily relinquish the child for adoption.

Notes

Or. Admin. Code § 413-120-0628

CWP 33-2003, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-03

Stat. Auth.: ORS 418.005

Stats. Implemented: ORS 109.305