Illinois Adoption Requirements
Licensing Standard §401.520
The State of Illinois does not accredit courses used for compliance for the Adoptive Parent Training Curriculum required by the State of Illinois used for pre-service training to be provided to adoptive families; therefore, Creating a Family does not warrant or guarantee that the State of Illinois will accept our courses as evidence of compliance with these training requirements. We have done our best to create courses that we believe will prepare parents and staff for domestic, intercountry, and foster care adoption as required by the State of Illinois. Licensing standard §401.520 requires training on the listed content checklist as applicable to the type of adoption. We have spoken with agencies in Illinois about which requirements that state finds applicable to the different types of adoption and our packages are designed accordingly. If you have been told to include training on other requirements for your adoptions, please contact us and we can suggest additional courses to cover those content topics.
For your convenience only, we have included the content topics that we believe our courses can be used to achieve at least partial compliance with the requirements; however, adoption service providers must decide for themselves. Our inclusion of these content topics implies that we believe that the course addresses some of the topics in the specified regulatory section and does not imply that the course can fulfill that regulation.
For information specific to Illinois, go to the Child Welfare Information Gateway State Search site to find information on the Illinois requirements on background checks, consent to adoption, home study requirements, post-adoption contact agreements, adoption expense regulations, use of advertising, and who may adopt or place a child for adoption.
Illinois Domestic Infant Adoption Package includes:
- Introduction to Domestic Infant Adoption
- Evaluating Risk Factors in Domestic Adoption
- Introduction to Prenatal Substance Exposure
- What You Need to Know About Open Adoption When You're Thinking About Adoption
- Coming to Terms with Infertility Grief Before You Foster or Adopt
- Should You Consider Adopting a Child of a Different Race or Ethnicity?
- Basic Baby Care
- 7 Core Issues in Adoption & Foster Care
- Talking with Young Children About Adoption and Birth Parents
- Transitioning Home as a Newly Adoptive Parent
- Introduction to Attachment
- Legal Process of Domestic Adoption: What You Need to Know Before You Adopt
- Positive Adoption Language
| Requirements Licensing Standard §401.520 / CFS 574-5 |
Illinois Domestic Infant Package |
|---|---|
| Preparing for a Successful Adoption a. Defining Adoption b. How adoption is different: from forming a family by birth c. Making a lifetime commitment i. Changing roles and expectations ii. Considering the impact on all members of the family iii. Considering the impact on extended family and friends d. Adoption as a life-long processe. e. Positive adoption language |
Introduction to Domestic Infant Adoption 7 Core Issues in Adoption and Foster Care Positive Adoption Language What You Need to Know About Open Adoption When You Are Thinking About Adopting Transitioning Home as a Newly Adoptive Family Talking with Children About Adoption at Different Ages Should You Consider Adopting a Child of a Different Race or Ethnicity Coming to Terms with Infertility Grief Before You Adopt |
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Process for completing an Adoption a. Criteria used to determine eligibility: Background checks b. Fees, costs and refund policies related to the process c. Home study process d. Pre-placement requirements e. Placement process f. Post-placement requirements and supports g. Determining readiness for adoption legalization h. Pre and post-adoption reporting requirements, if applicable |
Introduction for Domestic Infant Adoption |
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Adoption as a legal process a. Legal specifics regarding the child’s adoption, including foreseeable delays and/orimpediments b. Full and fair child specific disclosure/confidentiality c. Birth parent rights and responsibilities d. Adoptive parent rights and responsibilities e. Voluntary and involuntary termination of parental rights f. Adoption legalization process |
Introduction to Domestic Infant Adoption Legal Process of Domestic Infant Adoption |
| Understanding a Child’s Prior Experiences and their Effects on Adoptive Placement a. Characteristics and needs of children awaiting adoption; current and future implications b. Placement history, including foster care, orphanage life, or institutionalization i. Type of care, effects of poor care and/or institutionalization ii. Pre-placement history, including length at each previous placement iii. Lack of attachment |
Evaluating Risk Factors in Domestic Infant Adoption Introduction to Prenatal Substance Exposure Should You Consider Adopting a Child of a Different Race or Ethnicity Introduction to Domestic Infant Adoption |
| Medical risks a. Limited, inaccurate or missing background information b. Unknown or undiagnosed medical conditions c. Limited access to medical care and the need for immediate care upon arrival d. Effects of risk factors i. Malnutrition ii. Environmental toxins iii. Genetic, health, emotional and/or developmental risk e. Drug and alcohol use during pregnancy |
Evaluating Risk Factors in Domestic Infant Adoption Introduction to Prenatal Substance Exposure |
| Attachment Issues a. Significance of forming healthy attachments b. Attachment disorders c. Promoting healthy attachments |
Introduction to Attachment Transitioning Home as a Newly Adoptive Parent |
| Openness as a continuum in Adoption a. Defining openness as a continuum b. Respecting past attachment and openness when appropriate |
What You Need to Know About Open Adoption When You Are Thinking About Adopting |
| Special Issues in Adoption a. Separation/loss and grief i. Effects of multiple caregivers and placements b. Raising a child of a different culture, ethnicity, race, religion or linguistic background;current and future implications c. Caring for children with special needs (i.e. medical, physical, emotional, behavioral,developmental, and educational issues) d. Child development and the impact of adoption e. Parenting and discipline techniques f. Adopting the older child g. Infant CPR h. Subsidy Eligibility and post-adoption support services i. Preservation ii. Education iii. Search and reunion iv. Support groups v. Services referral |
Evaluating Risk Factors in Domestic Infant Adoption Should You Consider Adopting a Child of a Different Race or Ethnicity? 7 Core Issues in Adoption and Foster Care Practical Tips for Disciplining While Maintaining Attachment Basic Baby Care |
Illinois Hague International Adoption Package includes:
- Introduction to International Adoption
- Evaluating Risk Factors in International Adoption
- Typical Behaviors of Children Adopted From Foster Care or Internationally
- Introduction to Prenatal Substance Exposure
- Health, Emotional, and Developmental Issues Common to Children Adopted Internationally
- Transitioning Home as a Newly Adoptive Family: Things to Prepare For
- Parenting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
- Should You Consider Adopting a Child of a Different Race or Ethnicity?
- Helping Internationally Adopted Children Develop a Healthy Cultural & Racial Identity
- 7 Core Issues in Adoption and Foster Care
- Practical Tips for Disciplining Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
- Talking with Kids About Adoption at Different Ages
- Preparing Children Already in the Home for Adoption
- Introduction to Attachment
- Adopting Older Kids: Things to Consider
- What You Need to Know About Open Adoption When You're Thinking About Adopting
- Positive Adoption Language
| Requirements Licensing Standard §401.520 / CFS 574-3 |
Illinois Hague International Package |
|---|---|
| Preparing for a Successful Adoption a. Defining Adoption b. How adoption is different: from forming a family by birth c. Making a lifetime commitment i. Changing roles and expectations ii. Considering the impact on all members of the family iii. Considering the impact on extended family and friends d. Adoption as a life-long processe. e. Positive adoption language |
Introduction to International Adoption 7 Core Issues in Adoption and Foster Care Positive Adoption Language Preparing Children Already in the Home for Adoption Transitioning Home as a Newly Adoptive Family Talking with Children About Adoption at Different Ages |
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Process for completing an Adoption a. Criteria used to determine eligibility: Background checks b. Fees, costs and refund policies related to the process c. Home study process d. Pre-placement requirements e. Placement process f. Post-placement requirements and supports g. Determining readiness for adoption legalization h. Intercountry Adoption Act or pre and post-adoption reporting requirements, if applicable |
Introduction to International Adoption |
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Adoption as a legal process a. Legal specifics regarding the child’s country of origin b. Full and fair child specific disclosure/confidentiality d. Adoptive parent rights and responsibilities e. Voluntary and involuntary termination of parental rights f. Adoption legalization process |
Introduction to International Adoption |
| Understanding a Child’s Prior Experiences and their Effects on Adoptive Placement a. Characteristics and needs of children awaiting adoption; current and future implications i. Conditions of the region or country of origin, if applicable b. Orphanage life, institutionalization and/or placement history i. Type of care, effects of poor care and/or institutionalization ii. Pre-placement history, including length at each previous placement iii. Lack of attachment |
Health, Emotional, and Developmental Issues Common to Children Adopted Internationally Typical Behaviors of Children Adopted Internationally Evaluating Risk Factors in International Adoption |
| Medical risks a. Limited, inaccurate or missing background information b. Unknown or undiagnosed medical conditions c. Limited access to medical care and the need for immediate care upon arrival d. Effects of risk factors i. Malnutrition ii. Environmental toxins iii. Genetic, health, emotional and/or developmental risk e. Drug and alcohol use during pregnancy |
Health, Emotional, and Developmental Issues Common to Children Adopted Internationally Evaluating Risk Factors in International Adoption Introduction to Prenatal Substance Exposure |
| Attachment Issues a. Significance of forming healthy attachments b. Attachment disorders c. Promoting healthy attachments |
Introduction to Attachment Health, Emotional, and Developmental Issues Common to Children Adopted Internationally Parenting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma |
| Openness as a continuum in Adoption a. Defining openness as a continuum b. Respecting past attachment and openness when appropriate |
What You Need to Know About Open Adoption When You Are Thinking About Adopting |
| Special Issues in Adoption a. Separation/loss and grief i. Effects of multiple caregivers and placements b. Raising a child of a different culture, ethnicity, race, religion or linguistic background;current and future implications c. Caring for children with special needs (i.e. medical, physical, emotional, behavioral,developmental, and educational issues) d. Child development, the impact of adoption, and transition to a new culture e. Parenting and discipline techniques f. Adopting the older child g. Infant CPR h. Subsidy Eligibility and post-adoption support services i. Preservation ii. Education iii. Search and reunion iv. Support groups v. Services referral |
Parenting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma Health, Emotional, and Developmental Issues Common to Children Adopted Internationally Transitioning Home as a Newly Adoptive Family Should You Consider Adopting a Child of a Different Race or Ethnicity? Helping Internationally Adopted Children Develop a Healthy Cultural & Racial Identity Adopting Older Kids – Things to Consider Introduction to Attachment Disciplining Children Who Have Experienced Trauma Evaluating Risk Factors in International Adoption |
Illinois Special Needs & Foster Care Conversion Adoption Package (19 hours)
Illinois Special Needs & Foster Care Conversion Adoption Package includes:
- Should You Consider Adopting a Child of a Different Race or Ethnicity?
- Raising a Child with ADHD to a Successful & Healthy Adulthood
- Introduction to Foster Care Adoption
- Helping Adopted Children Heal From Past Trauma and Loss
- Open Adoption: Handling Difficult Birth Parent Situations
- 7 Core Issues in Adoption and Foster Care
- Talking with Kids About Adoption at Different Ages
- Introduction to Prenatal Substance Exposure
- Transitioning from Foster Care to Adoption
- Trauma-Informed Parenting: Practical Applications of TBRI
- Adopting Older Kids: Things to Consider
- Evaluating Risk Factors in Foster Care Adoption
- Introduction to Attachment
- Practical Tips for Disciplining Children Who Have Experienced Trauma
- Talking About the Difficult Parts of Your Adopted Child's History
- Preparing Children Already in the Home for Adoption
- Transitioning Home as a Newly Adoptive Family
- What You Need to Know About Open Adoption When You're Thinking About Adopting
- Positive Adoption Language
| Requirements Licensing Standard §401.520 / CFS 574-4 |
Illinois Special Needs & Foster Care Conversion Package |
|---|---|
| Preparing for a Successful Adoption a. Defining Adoption b. How adoption is different i. From forming a family by birth ii. From providing foster care c. Making a lifetime commitment i. Changing roles and expectations ii. Considering the impact on all members of the family iii. Considering the impact on extended family and friends d. Adoption as a life-long process. i. Universal Adjustment Issues ii. Predictable Crisis Periods e. Positive adoption language |
Introduction to Foster Care Adoption 7 Core Issues in Adoption and Foster Care Positive Adoption Language Preparing Children Already in the Home for Adoption Transitioning Home as a Newly Adoptive Family Talking with Children About Adoption at Different Ages |
|
Process for completing an Adoption a. Criteria used to determine eligibility: Background checks b. Fees, costs and refund policies related to the process c. Home study process d. Pre-placement requirements e. Placement process f. Post-placement requirements and supports g. Determining readiness for adoption legalization |
Introduction to Foster Care Adoption |
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Adoption as a legal process a. Full and fair child specific disclosure/confidentiality b. Birth parent rights and responsibilities c. Adoptive parent rights and responsibilities d. Voluntary and involuntary termination of parental rights i. Minimum standards for witnessing a consent or surrender ii. Legal risk placement (if appropriate) e. Adoption legalization process |
Introduction to Foster Care Adoption Transitioning from Foster Care to Adoption |
| Understanding Birth Parents and Their Importance a. Raising compassion, respect and understanding of the birth family b. Understanding the reasons adoption plans are made for children c. Respecting their life-long connection to the child and including them in the gathering of background information and history |
Open Adoption: Handling Difficult Birth Parent Situations Talking with Children About Adoption at Different Ages |
| Openness as a Continuum in Adoption a. Defining openness as a continuum b. Benefits, relationships and responsibilities of “openness” c. Developing a plan that is in the best interest of the child d. Resolving conflicts and renegotiating plans when necessary |
Open Adoption: Handling Difficult Birth Parent Situations What You Need to Know About Open Adoption When You're Thinking About Adoption |
| Talking with Children about Adoption a. Importance of Life Books b. Helping children cope with separation/loss, history of maltreatment and identity formation c. Need for background information and involvement in plans for continued connections when appropriate d. Tools to answer children’s questions |
Talking with Children About Adotion at Different Ages Talking About the Difficult Parts of Your Adopted Child's History |
| Special Issues in Adoption a. Attachment and bonding i. Significance of forming healthy attachments ii. Attachment Disorders iii. Promoting healthy attachments b. Separation/loss and grief i. Effects of multiple caregivers and placements c. Raising a child of a different culture, ethnicity, race, religion or linguistic background;current and future implications d. Caring for children with special needs (i.e. medical, physical, emotional, behavioral,developmental, and educational issues) e. Drugs and alcohol use during pregnancy f. Child development and the impact of adoption g. Parenting and discipline techniques h. Adopting the older child i. Infant CPR j. Subsidy Eligibility and post-adoption support services i. Preservation ii. Education iii. Search and reunion iv. Support groups v. Services referral |
Introduction to Prenatal Substance Exposure Parenting Children Who Have Experienced Trauma Trauma Informed Parenting: Practical Applications of TBRI® Helping Adopted Children Heal from Past Trauma and Loss Evaluating Risk Factors in Foster Care Should You Consider Adopting a Child of a Different Race or Ethnicity? Adopting Older Kids – Things to Consider Introduction to Attachment Disciplining Children Who Have Experienced Trauma Raising a Child with ADHD to Successful Adulthood |