LOCAL ADOPTION Pre-Adoption Services I. Counseling Biological Parent Counseling shall be provided to the parent(s) before and after the birth of his/her child. No binding commitment to an adoption plan shall be permitted before the birth of his/her child. A period of six (6) months shall be allowed for the biological parent(s) to reconsider any decision to relinquish his/her child for adoption before the decision become irrevocable. Counselling and rehabilitation services shall also be offered to the biological parent(s) after he/she has relinquished his/her child for adoption. The social worker of the Department, Social Services Units of local government, Family Courts, licensed/accredited child caring and placing agencies must explain the options available to the biological parents such as: To keep the child and avail of services and assistance. Avail of temporary child care arrangements like kinship, residential care/foster care. Relinquish the child for adoption. Prospective Adoptive Parent(s) Prospective adoptive parent(s) shall attend adoption for a and seminars to help them assess their motivation, capacity and readiness to adopt. The Department shall conduct fora, seminars and counseling sessions to achieve the following additional objectives: to disseminate basic information about adoption including the adoption process and procedures and the effects of adoption. to inform them of the general background of children in need of adoptive homes including children with special needs; to develop among prospective adoptive parents a respect for the child's biological origin and an awareness of the importance of telling the child that he/she is adopted. to provide a support group for adoptive parents which shall give them a venue for sharing their adoption experiences. A certificate shall be issued by the Department to the prospective adoptive parents attesting that they have undergone pre-adoption services. The certificate shall be made a pre-requisite of the home study and must be secured prior to filing of the application to adoption. Prospective Adoptee A prospective adoptee shall be provided with counseling and other support services appropriate to his/her age and maturity, and in a manner and language that the child comprehends, especially to enable him/her to understand why he/she has been relinquished for adoption. In the case of a prospective adoptee whose consent to his/her own adoption is necessary, the social worker / counselor shall consider the child's wishes and opinions, ensure that his/her consent is voluntary and duly inform him/her of the effects of such consent. II. Other Services Continuous counselling services shall be provided to the biological parent/s after relinquishment to cope with feelings of loss/guilt. At the same time, referral to available resources in the community must be done for his/her eventual re-integration with family and community. Likewise, the biological parent/s who decides to keep the child shall be provided with adequate services and assistance to fulfill parental responsibilities. He/She must be assisted to establish a support system to be able to cope with the demands of being a parent. Back to Local Adoption