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2 <br />❑ Relative Adoption (children formerly in the custody of the North Carolina foster care <br />system): A child previously in the placement authority of an agency who subsequently placed <br />the child in the custody of a person now pursuing adoption may be determined eligible for <br />Adoption Assistance and must meet certain conditions including special needs (Family Services <br />Manual, Ch. VI, Section 1305 p. 2 -3) The Preplacement Assessment for prospective adoptive <br />families is a required component for eligibility for Adoption Assistance and must include the <br />results of State and Federal Criminal Records checks. This requirement reflects Adoption and <br />Safe Families legislation enacted in 1997. There will be no charge for children formerly or <br />presently in the custody of Cabarrus County Department of Human Services. <br />Report to the Court required: <br />❑ Stepparent Adoption: The adoption of a child by the birth parent's spouse. The agency <br />charges $200.00 for one child for a Report to the Court as ordered by the Clerk of Superior <br />Court. There will be the additional charge of $100 for per each additional child. There is no <br />charge for any children previously or presently in the custody of Cabarrus County DHS. <br />❑ Relative Adoption: Adoption by a grandparent, aunt /uncle, first cousin, older sibling, great - <br />aunt, great -uncle or great - grandparent when the parent or guardian places a minor directly <br />with the above relative. The agency charges $200.00 for one child and $100.00 for each <br />additional child for a Report to the Court as ordered by the Clerk of Superior Court. For those <br />relative adoptions of children formerly placed in foster care in North Carolina, policy guidance <br />from the State requires that a Preplacement Assessment must be completed which contains <br />the results of the State and Federal Criminal Records checks. There will be no charge of <br />children previously or presently in the custody of Cabarrus County DHS. <br />Stepparent and relative adoption proceedings are initiated when a petition for adoption is filed <br />with the Clerk of Superior Court and an Order for a Report to the Court is received by Cabarrus <br />County Department of DHS. Prior to beginning the assessment process, Cabarrus County <br />Department of DHS requires a signed Letter of Agreement by the petitioners. <br />If the agency identifies a specific concern about the suitability of the petitioner or the <br />petitioner's home for the adoptee, the agency must file an interim report immediately, which <br />must contain an account of the specific concern. The agency shall indicate in the final report <br />whether its concerns have been satisfied and in what manner. <br />AGENCY ADOPTIONS: RECRUITMENT AND APPPLICATION PROCESS <br />Individuals 18 years old and older who are interested in adopting a child in the custody of <br />Cabarrus County DHS may apply with the agency. The agency's recruitment plan includes a <br />comprehensive multimedia community recruitment strategy with a culturally responsive <br />training, assessment and selection process that focuses on the strengths and needs of the <br />1303 S. Cannon Blvd • Kannapolis, North Carolina 28083 • State Courier #: 05 -09 -02 •704.920.1400 • Fax <br />704.920.1401 <br />www.cabarruscounty.us/aovernment/departments/social-services <br />Striving to improve the quality of life in the community for all citizens. <br />Attachment number 1 <br />F -2 Page 55 <br />