Adoption - Placement

1. The child-placing agency shall adopt written policies for the placement of a child legally free for adoption. The policies must detail: a. Placement contract procedures as specified in North Dakota Century Code section 50-12-06; b. Collaboration with the custodial case manager or birth parents to review the prospective adoptive parents; c. Placement into an adoptive home as soon as possible after the child is legally free for adoption; d. Placement of an Indian child according to the Indian Child Welfare Act and North Dakota Century Code chapter 27-19.1; e. Placement in the best interests of the child; f. Placement with identified relatives if it is in the best interests of the child; in the event a relative search is completed by the child-placing agency, diligent search efforts must be documented; g. Placement of siblings together, and if this is not possible, a plan to keep separated siblings connected after adoption; h. Placement to meet each child's needs; i. Prohibition of placement of a child based solely on the race, or national origin of the adoptive parents or the child, unless the Indian Child Welfare Act or North Dakota Century Code chapter 27-19.1 applies; j. Continuation of services to assist the child and family; k. Providing relevant child specific documents to the child's adoptive parents; and l. Adoption-related policies required by the department. 2. The child-placing agency shall give notice to the department of any adoptive placement facilitated by the child-placing agency for adoption. The child-placing agency shall provide notice within seven calendar days of placement.