Adoption Forum I Final Report

The Adoption Forum I Final Report has been posted, providing an evaluation and statistical analysis of the 13 Michigan counties with the largest adoption dockets after collaborative work between the courts, local offices of the Michigan Department of Human Services, and other child welfare stakeholders.  Between March 1, 2008, and March 1, 2009, the counties participating in the Adoption Forum were able to increase adoptions by 14 percent for permanent wards.

The participating counties were:

• Berrien
• Macomb
• Calhoun
• Monroe
• Genesee
• Muskegon
• Ingham
• Oakland
• Jackson
• Saginaw
• Kalamazoo
• Wayne
• Kent

The participating counties employed a number of mechanisms to increase the number of adoptions of permanent wards.  These include:  streamlining requirements for adoption (e.g., paperwork); sending the termination order directly to the adoption caseworker to ensure an immediate response after termination; publicizing Adoption Day; judges meeting monthly with CASAs, local DHS, and prosecutor to discuss barriers to timely adoptions and solutions; meetings with the private sector to recruit adoptive families; and creation of a “rocket docket,” a special docket for backlogged cases.  There were a number of other methods employed that are not listed here.

To download or view the report, click here: Adoption Forum I – Final Report 2009

© 2009, Melinda Deel. All rights reserved.