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3 <br />families and takes into consideration that strengths and needs of the waiting children. <br />Prospective adoptive applicants are required to attend a 30 -hour preservice training called <br />MAPP /GPS (Model Approach to Partnerships in Parenting -Group Preparation and Selection). <br />MAPP certified trainers provide a minimum of 2 training sessions each calendar year. There is <br />no fee for this training and families engage in a mutual assessment with the agency to decide if <br />foster care licensure is a viable or desired option for the family. <br />North Carolina General Statutes require a Preplacement Assessment for prospective adoptive <br />families. The contents of a Preplacement Assessment are clearly outlined in North Carolina <br />General Statutes and rules adopted by the Social Services Commission and reflect legislative <br />changes mandated by the Adoption and Safe Families Act. The Preplacement Assessment is the <br />total collection of information designed to document and consolidate the preparation and <br />selection process for each adoptive family. <br />When a prospective family wishes to adopt a child in the custody of Cabarrus County DHS, an <br />agency licensing or adoption social worker partners with the family in the Preplacement <br />Assessment mutual selection process. The purpose of the Preplacement Assessment is to <br />enable applicants to assess their own strengths and needs as prospective adoptive parents, to <br />prepare applicants for the experience of adoption and to assist the agency in assessing the <br />family's understanding of adoption and their capacity to learn and grow in this process. <br />If the family does not have an identified child and does not wish to become a licensed foster <br />parent, the family will be referred to private agencies contracted by the Division of Social <br />Services. These contract agencies provide Preplacement Assessments, as well as pre- and post - <br />placement support at no charge to families adopting children in the North Carolina foster care <br />system. <br />Prospective adoptive families may also be referred to their home county DHS for a <br />Preplacement Assessment or have the option of using the services of a private agency. Families <br />can be reimbursed for the non - recurring costs related to the legal adoption of a child with <br />special needs, which includes a Preplacement Assessment and other expenses. Only North <br />Carolina Departments of Social Services or agencies licensed by the Division of Social Services <br />may prepare Preplacement Assessments and Reports to the Court. <br />A Preplacement Assessment prepared in another state may only be used if the prospective <br />adoptive parent resided in the state where it was prepared and the person or entity who <br />prepared the Preplacement Assessment was authorized by law to do so. Any assessment <br />prepared in another state which does not meet these requirements must be updated by <br />Cabarrus County Department of Social Services or another agency licensed by the North <br />Carolina Division of Social Services (p. 6 Chapter 48, Article 1) <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 56 <br />