What is the Adoption and Safe Families Act?

The Adoption and Safe Families Act (ASFA) is a federal law that was signed into law in 1997. It was designed to reduce the amount of time that children spend in foster care, encourage the adoption of foster children, and provide safety and stability for those children who are unable to return to their families. The goal of ASFA is to ensure the safety and well-being of children, while protecting the rights of their parents. In Indiana, ASFA encourages the permanent placement of children in adoptive homes and requires the state to expedite the process of adoption. It requires states to move quickly to place foster children into a permanent home and to take action on adoption proceedings within a year of the child entering foster care. The Act also requires that states make diligent efforts to identify and contact relatives who might be appropriate guardians or adoptive parents for foster children. In addition, ASFA requires that states provide services to families and children affected by the adoption process. This includes services such as counseling, respite care, and support for adoptive families. These services are designed to help families transition to their new home and provide support that may be needed to establish a successful adoption. In Indiana, the Office of Family and Children must abide by the federal requirements of ASFA, and is responsible for the implementation of the Adoption and Safe Families Act in the state. This includes ensuring that all foster children are provided with a safe and permanent home, while providing support and services to help families through the adoption process.

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What is the Adoption and Safe Families Act?

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