WHO IS ACCREDITED?

    Private Organization Accreditation

    HeartShare assist individuals with developmental disabilities through education, day, residential and recreation programs, case management, and health services, and provides foster care/adoption services, counseling, after school and energy assistance programs, and programs for people with HIV/AIDS.
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    ORGANIZATION TESTIMONIAL

    Children's Foundation of Mid America

    James W. Thurman, President/CEO

    Children’s Foundation of Mid America has been accredited through COA since 1983. The process of accreditation ensures that we meet or exceed the highest standards in the industry.
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    Purpose

    Adoption Services establish a permanent family for children and youth awaiting adoption, and increase the well-being and functioning of birth parents, adoptive families, and adopted individuals.

    CA-AS 3: Homestudy Practice

    A collaborative homestudy process determines the interests, qualities, and abilities of prospective adoptive parents.

    Notes: Foster Care to Adoption programs will implement CA-FKC 18 and CA-AS 3.

    NA The organization provides post placement services only.

    Rating Indicators
    1
    All elements or requirements outlined in the standard are evident in practice, as indicated by full implementation of the practices outlined in the Practice standards.
    2
    Practices are basically sound but there is room for improvement, as noted in the ratings for the Practice standards; e.g.,
    • Minor inconsistencies and not yet fully developed practices are noted, however, these do not significantly impact service quality; or
    • Procedures need strengthening; or
    • With few exceptions procedures are understood by staff and are being used; or
    • For the most part, established timeframes are met; or
    • Proper documentation is the norm and any issues with individual staff members are being addressed through performance evaluations (CA-HR 6.02) and training (CA-TS 2.03); or
    • Active client participation occurs to a considerable extent.
    3
    Practice requires significant improvement, as noted in the ratings for the Practice standards. Service quality or program functioning may be compromised; e.g.,
    • Procedures and/or case record documentation need significant strengthening; or
    • Procedures are not well-understood or used appropriately; or
    • Timeframes are often missed; or
    • A number of client records are missing important information  or
    • Client participation is inconsistent; or
    • One of the Fundamental Practice Standards received a rating of 3 or 4.
    4
    Implementation of the standard is minimal or there is no evidence of implementation at all, as noted in the ratings for the Practice standards; e.g.,
    • No written procedures, or procedures are clearly inadequate or not being used; or
    • Documentation is routinely incomplete and/or missing; or  
    • Two or more Fundamental Practice Standards received a rating of 3 or 4.

    Table of Evidence

    Self-Study Evidence On-Site Evidence On-Site Activities
      • Description of homestudy process
      • Homestudy tool and/or procedures
      • Procedures for background cheques
    No On-Site Evidence
      • Interview:
        1. Program director
        2. Relevant personnel

    • CA-AS 3.01

      The information gathered for homestudies is limited to material pertinent to adoption.

    • CA-AS 3.02

      The homestudy includes an assessment of:

      1. family relationships and functioning;
      2. education, employment, and financial status;
      3. parenting abilities;
      4. the home environment;
      5. physical and mental health status; and
      6. interest in adoption.

      Research Note: Research suggests that housing issues and health problems can delay kinship adoptions. Early identification of these barriers and provision of support and resources is recommended to facilitate permanency and stability.

    • CA-AS 3.03

      Assessments are conducted in a culturally responsive manner and identify potential barriers to service participation and success.

      Interpretation: Culturally responsive assessments can include attention to geographic location, language of choice, and religious, racial, ethnic and cultural background. Other important factors that contribute to a responsive assessment include attention to age and sexual orientation.

    • FP
      CA-AS 3.04

      The homestudy is a collaborative process that helps the family decide if adoption is an appropriate goal, and includes:

      1. one or more visits to the prospective adoptive family’s home;
      2. reference checks;
      3. criminal background checks according to applicable legal requirements; and
      4. preparation of a home study report with a recommendation regarding the family’s ability to meet the needs of an adopted child.

      Interpretation: The adoption worker can consider additional information offered by prospective adoptive families after they review the homestudy. The organization should develop criteria for criminal background checks that specifies if, and when, checks are conducted on a multi-provincial or national basis, and how the organization evaluates and responds to reports indicating criminal offences. Prospective adoptive families should be informed at the beginning about the process of the organization’s policy about criminal convictions.

    • CA-AS 3.05

      The information gathered during the homestudy process is carefully considered, in a timely manner, to determine if:

      1. adoption services will be provided;
      2. a referral will be made to another provider when the strengths and abilities of suitable prospective adoptive families do not match the needs of the children awaiting families; or
      3. services will be terminated with explanation for persons found to be unable to meet the needs of a child who is adopted.

      Interpretation: Homestudies are completed within timeframes established by the organization.

      Research Note: Research suggests that completion of homestudies is a major factor that can delay adoptions and extend children’s stay in foster care.

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