Adoption Unit - Phone Numbers: (928) 871-6175/6829

Eligible adults who are interested and committed in providing a permanent home for children;

Individual(s) who can promote, preserve and educate on Navajo culture;

Individual(s) who can provide permanent home environment and can meet the child's physical, spiritual, cultural, emotional, financial and developmental needs;

Complete Adoption Application and return to Dept. of Family Service Office;

case assigned to APSS worker

assigned to worker will contact family to complete a case plan, which includes a timeline;

Parent Training - minimum of 12 hours of parent-training, which will include pre/post test.

when documents and criminal background check clearance return, worker will schedule a home interview;

home study is completed; the adoptive family home will be certified for a period of two (2) years.

The Home Study Report is scheduled to be completed in 120 days, the applicant's assistance and participation in finalizing their home study is crucial.

Children's immediate birth family; extended family members; and Clan Relatives;

Enrolled Navajo family living within the Navajo Reservation;

Enrolled Navajo family living outside the Navajo Reservation;

Enrolled member of any federally recognized Tribe living within the Navajo Reservation;

Enrolled member of any federally recognized Tribe living outside the Navajo Reservation;

Non-Indian family who can provide a suitable home and will maintain the unique values of Navajo culture and able to provide guidance to the child(ren) in mainitaining their Navajo cultural identity.

State and Federal: Applicants must submit completed fingerprint card and money order to Dept. of Family Service; Dept. of Family Service will submit fingerprint card and money order for processing

Consent Form NCPS-IMS, Applicants can obtain a copy of their CBI from the Navajo Law Enforcement in Window Rock, Arizona; NCFS can obtain Tribal CBI from Window Rock, with a notarized Consent Form NCPS-IMS from the Applicants and a clear copy of the photo ID/driver's license, and Social Security Card.

Child Protective Services (CPS) Clearance: consent forms are sent to the local CPS office with names of all children in the home.

Relative who are interested and committed in becoming permanent caretakers.

Immediate and/or extended relatives who can provide a safe and stable home environment.

Referrals are made by the assigned ICWA social worker, Navajo Nation Regional Division of Social Services offices, and/or other social services entities on active cases with a plan for temporary or permanent placement.

A worker will be assigned to assist the relative family in fulfilling requirements for a kinship home study report.

The family will be responsible in completing and submitting all required documents.

Once documents are returned to Dept. of Family Service and the criminal background results are received by Dept. of Family Service, the APSS worker will schedule a home interview.

After the home interview is conducted and home study is completed, the case is returned to the referral source.

A completed home study report is usually current for 2 years; with any changes the home study report will need to be updated with an Addendum.

The Home Study Report is scheduled to be completed in 120 days, the applicant's assistance and participant in finalizing their home study is crucial.

Eligibility

Navajo birth parents who are over the age of 18 years who are voluntarily considering placement of their newborn for adoption. NOTE: Birth mothers who are under the age of 18 years will need parents’/legal custodians’ written consent for their adoption plan.

Infants not involved in family custody proceedings, i.e., divorce or parents vs. kinship;

Infants, 0 to 6 months of age.

Referral Process: Referrals are made through individual self-referrals, hospitals, private adoption agencies, and/or other tribal social services entities.

The Adoption Support Services is scheduled to be completed until the adoption is finalized.

Eligibility

Children who have been legally freed for adoption.

Parental rights have been terminated in tribal or state court.

Parents have voluntarily relinquished before a competent tribal or state judge.

Children with a permanency plan of adoption.

Referral Process: (When relative search has been exhausted.)

Referrals are made by the assigned ICWA social worker, Navajo Nation Regional Division of Social Services offices, and/or other social services entities

Assigned social worker will make contact with the certified adoptive families who are interested.

A quarterly publication listing all the children who have been referred to Dept. of Family Service Adoption Unit are featured and distributed to our certified foster/adoptive families. Helpful tips, parenting information, and calendar of events, are announced in this newsletter.