Rule 5180:7-1-17 | Postfinalization adoption services.
(A) What does postfinalization mean?
Postfinalization refers to the period of time after the date an adoption is finalized as evidenced by a final decree of adoption or interlocutory order of adoption issued by the court.
(B) What are postfinalization adoption services?
Postfinalization adoption services support birth parents, adoptive parents or adopted persons after an adoption is legally finalized and can include financial assistance, counseling, support groups, respite care, and access to various community resources.
(C) Who is to facilitate postfinalization adoption services?
Any public children services agency (PCSA), private child placing agency (PCPA), or private noncustodial agency (PNA) that places a child, or assists in placing a child, for adoption is to have a written policy regarding their facilitation of postfinalization adoption services to families.
(D) What is an agency to do upon request for postfinalization adoption services?
Upon request, the agency is to make postfinalization adoption services available, either directly to the family or by referral. If the agency does not provide direct postfinalization adoption services, the agency is to do the following:
(1) Refer each person who requests postfinalization adoption services to the regional Ohio kinship and adoption navigator (OhioKAN) agency, in addition to other local agencies providing the services the family is requesting.
(2) Provide consultation on adoption-related issues to other professionals who are working with the family, upon written request of the parent, legal custodian, or guardian.
(3) Provide information regarding the procedures for releasing identifying information pursuant to rule 5180:7-1-18 of the Administrative Code.
(E) What steps may an agency take if contacted for postfinalization adoption services regarding a child whose adoptive placement was made by another custodial agency?
If the agency is contacted for postfinalization adoption services and the agency determines that another custodial agency made the adoptive placement, the agency may contact that custodial agency for assistance in providing postfinalization services.
(F) If an adoptive parent, adopted person, or birth parent is unable to access postfinalization adoption services, which agency is ultimately responsible for the provision of, or referral to the services?
The PCSA located in the county of residence of the adoptive parent, adopted person, or birth parent, respectively, is the agency ultimately responsible for the provision of, or referral to, appropriate postfinalization services.
Last updated July 15, 2026 at 7:43 AM
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