ÿWPCÈ @M!OÄÖöÅj3„9Óx5¿ï˜ƒäK¢1rÇêCÈ3B„aÑV&ãQd/ˆ‚–ò£Þ)^Ï*ˆH]“LkÖO ‘rn+.Õ…1söúwy!‚BzhÞ––dû€ÖCXûaricæwìš­ÖÒ®õ`øRë:mÌÑt$•¯8ˆ ±¿qóÓ*l°/à­Ù¨'9E=tË—úþµížŒc mí= ßlvU_qqÄ~oŽá(ôjXqÁtk Ÿ¶¢`"åFbðòTŽÕ¦Û,MñNù±0 Š~e=ñϨèeEãÜ$«QAš´øïÚ.ßc®àA¤x‚EâÕ5.ü.®|Ø+ÙhTæ\F‚Ò½¦sΙs!vjŠMNÿ”ëÊ¢r|:—çR‰_'¦Ç”Æ4{i塯-ý¹À÷“펵[Š'‘ã÷ RР'qÄv¬dÌtüžCb_ÙÀ>¶WŒŒ§`pCz˜,ÍõäëD«R†ó­ræÑªc«•$¤­½N~eRCb·ÎtóÆ`„ÊÜEw(:bìâ+옕7ûŽT'Ïe<ù™«6CÅöbý]ú÷FP¬öoÀ*Ý¡Nì~Òyè¿»VN)< TÁŒ’Ž8ê…ŒÁŒ>kO¿ÎGþ™>·^ñF#ÁÄUN… %Ó 0(Ùw4( m*ULAN^ -›˜Canon PIXMA iP6000DŽî0**0Žî0(ÖÃ9 Z‹6Times New Roman RegularX($¡¡ ¦Ž1LpdTƒ3|xÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ.@FÐAZ‹4Incised901 Lt BT LightÁ ·2  #Ñ#€CXÿÿd#ÑÝ ƒ!ÝÝ  ÝÔ_Ôò òÔ‡ XšXXXXÔÓ  ÓÔ‡ &¢%X XšXÔÑ€ zãÑLife€Focus€CenterÐ ° Ð2211€South€Hacienda€Blvd.Ð ŒÜ ÐSuite€103„CÐ h¸ ÐHacienda€Heights,€CA€91745Ð D” Ð(626)€330„7990€office;€(626)€855„5476€faxÐ  p Ðwww.lifefocuscenter.comÐ üL ÐÓMÓÔ#†&ð³%% &¢.#Ôó óÔ#†Xõ X%&ð³Y#Ôà0  àà0` (#(#àà0¸ ` (#` (#àà0¸ (#¸ (#àà0h(#(#àà0Àh(#h(#àÐ À(#À(# ÐTo€the€Adoptive€Parents:Ð Ä  ÐÌÓ °X°œXÓAdoption€tends€to€be€a€complex€and€perplexing€situation.€The€process€often€is€confusing€andÐ œ ì  Ðanxiety€provoking.€As€you€know,€in€California,€Independent€Adoptions€require€the€use€of€anÐ ˆ Ø  ÐAdoption€Service€Provider€to€protect€the€placing€parent(s)ðð€rights.Ð tÄ  ÐÌI€have€been€asked€to€work€as€the€Adoption€Service€Provider€for€your€adoption.€€Therefore,€Ð Lœ  Ðplease€complete€and€return€the€Applicant€Questionnaire€and€the€signature€page€of€the€FeeÐ 8ˆ  Ðagreement,€with€your€check€for€the€basic€fee,€upon€receipt€of€this€letter.€€Ð $t  ÐÌò òPlease€take€the€time€to€read€the€enclosed€information,€as€it€is€meant€to€clarify€this€part€ofÐ üL Ðthe€adoption€process€with€you.€€Ð è8 Ðó óÌAfter€I€have€received€these€forms€and€the€retainer€from€you,€I€will€schedule€the€AdvisementÐ À Ðmeeting.Ð ¬ü ÐÌSince€I€work€as€an€Independent€Contractor€with€other€lawyers€and€facilitators,€each€with€theirÐ „Ô Ðown€process,€ò òI€ask€that€òòyouóó€call€meó ó:Ð pÀ Ðà  àà ` à€Ð `° Ðò òÔ‡¼±<»XXõ Ôà0  àà0` (#(#àà  àðoðÔ#†Xõ X»¼±<`#Ôó ó€€1.€€€ò òwhen€the€birth€mother€goes€into€laboró ó€so€I€can€adjust€my€calendar,€if€possible,Ð Lœ Ðto€meet€you€at€the€hospital€after€the€birth€mother€has€been€discharged;Ð`°` (#` (# Ðà0  àÐ (#(# Ðà0  àò òÔ‡¼±<»XXõ ÔðoðÔ#†Xõ X»¼±<Þ#Ôó ó€€2.€€€if€you€have€any€questions€about€my€part€in€the€process,€or€wish€to€speak€to€me€for€€Ð 8ˆ Ѐ€€€€€€€€€€€any€reason€about€your€adoption€ÐL œ(#(# ÐÌò òYour€efforts€to€be€proactive€in€your€adoption€placement€can€be€of€great€advantage€to€you.Ð $"t  ÐFor€example,€there€are€times€when€we€cannot€meet€at€the€hospital.€€Under€thoseÐ #`! Ðcircumstances,€your€adoption€will€move€along€much€faster€if€you€drive€to€my€office€to€signÐ ü#L" Ðthe€consent€form.€€I€will€meet€the€birth€mother€on€a€separate€occasion€under€thoseÐ è$8 # Ðcircumstances,€and€most€often,€will€drive€to€her,€or€will€have€a€driver€bring€her€to€theÐ Ô%$!$ Ðoffice.€ó óÐ À&"% ÐÌThank€you.€I€look€forward€to€working€as€the€Adoption€Service€Provider€on€your€adoption€andÐ ˜(è#' Ðhope€all€goes€well€for€you.Ð „)Ô$( ÐÌSincerely,Ð \+¬&* ÐDr.€Elaine€Kindle,€Ph.D.,€Ô_ÔLCSWÔ_Ô,€Board€Certified€DiplomatÐ H,˜'+ ÐAdoption€Service€ProviderÐ 4-„(, ÐÑ zãÑâ  âÑ8€õ XXdìdÈ8Ñâ  âÑ  Ñò òÓ  ÓAttachmentó óÐ ° ÐÓæ ÓÓ  Óò òÔ‡ŠÊŸ ˆXXõ ÔThe€Role€of€the€Adoption€Service€ProviderÔ#†Xõ X ˆŠÊŸ3#Ôó óÐ œì ÐÓ$ÓÌThe€role€of€the€Adoption€Service€Provider€(ASP)€was€created€in€1995€by€SB€1148€to€helpÐ †Ö Ðstreamline€the€adoption€process€and€to€advocate€for€the€placing€parent/s.€Many€times,€the€placingÐ r Ðparent€is€the€birth€mother€alone.€€€Ð ^ ® ÐÌThe€ASP€is€an€Independent€Contractor€who€works€with€several€facilitators€and€attorneys.Ð 6 † ÐÌò òThe€ASP€must€meet€with€the€placing€parent/s€on€at€least€two€occasions:ó óÐ  ^  ÐÔ‡&ð³%XXõ ÔÌà0  àò ò1ó ó.€To€have€the€Advisement€meeting€to€make€sure€the€placing€parent/s€understand/s€what€€is€meantÐ Ò"  Ðby€adoption€and€is€doing€so€freely€(which€also€protects€your€rights€as€adoptive€€parents);Юþ (#(# ÐÌà0  àò ò2ó ó.€To€meet€with€the€placing€parent/s€ò òafter€the€child€has€been€bornó ó€to€sign€the€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð ^®  ÐIndependent€Adoption€Placement€Agreement€(Ô_ÔakaÔ_Ô,€the€consent€form;€Ô_ÔakaÔ_Ô,€the€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€€Ð :Š  Ðplacement€agreement).€Ðb(#(# ÐÔ#†Xõ X%&ð³°#ÔÌò òImportant€time€frames€in€the€adoption€process:€€Ð Ö& ÐÌðrðTen€daysó ó€must€pass€between€the€Advisement€meeting€before€the€placing€parent/s€is/areÐ ®þ Ðallowed€to€sign€the€consent€form.€€The€baby€also€must€have€been€born.€€ò òÐ žî ÐÌðrðThe€adoptive€parents€need€to€sign€the€consent€form€in€the€present€of€the€ASPó ó€as€well,€butÐ vÆ Ðonce€the€baby€has€been€born,€adoptive€parents€do€not€have€to€wait€the€ten€days€to€sign.Ð f¶ ÐÌò òðrðó óThere€are€times€when€ò òExigent€circumstancesó ó€may€apply,€which€allow€the€placing€parent/s€toÐ >Ž Ðsign€the€consent€form€before€the€ten€days€have€passed.€€If€such€rare€circumstances€apply€withÐ .~ Ðyour€adoption,€we€will€advise€you€of€this€fact.Ð j ÐÌò òðrðó óAccording€to€California€law,€the€consent€form€only€can€be€signed€ò òafter€the€birth€mother€hasÐ òB Ðbeen€discharged€from€the€hospital.€ó óIf,€for€any€reason,€she€is€held€in€the€hospital,€the€placementÐ â 2 Ðagreement€only€can€be€signed€once€her€doctor€has€charted€in€her€case€that€she€is€competent€toÐ Ò!"  Ðsign.€€We€will€arrange€to€obtain€that€note€from€her€doctor,€or€will€ask€your€assistance.Ð ¾"! ÐÌò òðrðó óWe€make€every€effort€to€meet€you€and€the€placing€parent/s€at€the€hospital€to€sign€the€consentÐ –$æ# Ðform€after€the€birth€mother€has€been€discharged.€€If€extenuating€circumstances€of€any€kindÐ †%Ö $ Ðprohibit€us€from€meeting€at€the€hospital,€we€make€every€effort€to€meet€both€you€and€the€placingÐ r&Â!% Ðparent/s€€as€soon€as€possible€to€sign€the€consent.Ð ^'®"& ÐÌò òðrðIf€the€baby€is€born€before€the€ten€days€have€passed€after€the€Advisement€meeting,€theÐ 6)†$( Ðbaby€still€can€go€home€with€you.ó ó€€Under€all€circumstances,€the€placing€parent/s€will€meet€withÐ "*r%) Ðthe€hospital€social€worker€to€sign€a€form,€referred€to€as€the€ò òð ðAD22".ó ó€€This€form€releases€the€babyÐ +b&* Ðfrom€the€hospitalððs€liability€to€go€home€with€whomever€the€placing€parent/s€designate/s.€Ð ,R'+ Ѐòòò òóóAdditional€Important€Information:Ð ° ÐÌòòCompetency€statements:ó óóó€€If€a€birth€parent,€usually€the€birth€mother,€has€a€mental€health€diagnosisÐ ŒÜ Ð(e.g.€major€depression,€bi„polar),€is€in€treatment,€or€recently€has€been,€and/or€is€on€psycho€tropicÐ xÈ Ðmedication,€she€must€have€a€competency€evaluation€by€a€licensed€psychologist€or€psychiatrist,Ð d´ Ðother€than€her€ASP,€before€she€can€sign€the€consent.€€The€counseling€she€is€offered€as€part€of€theÐ P   Ðadoption€process€does€not€necessitate€a€competency€statement€unless€the€above€conditions€apply.€€Ð < Œ ÐIf€she€needs€a€competency€statement,€either€your€attorney€or€I€will€make€arrangements€for€thisÐ ( x Ðevaluation,€which€is€billed€to€your€account.Ð  d ÐÌòòò òThe€birth€certificateó óóó:€The€placing€parent/s€€has/have€the€right€to€put€whatever€name€s/he€choosesÐ ì <  Ðon€the€birth€certificate.€It€can€be€the€name€you€want€if€s/he€wishes,€or€a€different€name.€€It€isÐ Ø(  Ðentirely€the€placing€parent/sðð€choice.€You€have€a€right€to€change€the€babyððs€name€to€whatever€youÐ Ä  Ðwish.€The€placing€parent/s€is/are€€made€aware€of€that€fact.€You€will€receive€an€amended€birthÐ °  Ðcertificate€after€your€adoption€is€finalized.€€A€copy€of€your€consent€form€should€suffice€forÐ œì  Ðobtaining€a€social€security€number€for€the€baby€and€putting€the€baby€on€your€health€insurance.Ð ˆØ  ÐÌò òòòWaivers:óóó ó€€In€California€Independent€Adoptions,€once€the€placing€parent/s€has/have€signed€theÐ `° Ðconsent€form,€s/he€is/are€allowed€a€30€day€waiting€period€during€which€time€s/he€can€ask€for€theÐ Lœ Ðreturn€of€the€baby.€If€s/he€wishes€to€shorten€that€time€period,€s/he€can€elect€to€sign€a€waiver,Ð 8ˆ Ðwhich€cuts€the€waiting€period.€After€the€waiting€period€is€over,€or€after€s/he€has€signed€a€waiverÐ $t Ð(whichever€comes€first)€the€consent€is€irrevocable.€Ð ` ÐÌThe€waiver€is€optional€for€the€placing€parent/s.€If€s/he€wishes€to€sign€it,€s/he€must€call€the€districtÐ è8 Ðoffice€that€is€processing€your€paperwork€and€schedule€an€appointment€with€them.€That€phoneÐ Ô$ Ðnumber€will€be€listed€on€the€consent€form€the€placing€parent/s€and€you€will€be€signing.Ð À ÐÌòòò òHow€to€sign€a€waiver:ó óóó€€The€placing€parent/s€will€need€to€make€an€appointment€with€theÐ ˜è ÐCounty/State€district€office€handling€your€paperwork€and€meet€with€an€assigned€social€worker€atÐ „Ô Ðthat€office.€The€assigned€social€worker€will€interview€the€placing€parent/s€to€be€certain€that€s/heÐ pÀ Ðunderstands€what€a€waiver€is€and€that€s/he€wants€to€sign€it€of€his/her€own€free€will.€€Ð \ ¬ Ðà  àà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àà p àà È àà  àà x àÌò òHowever,ó ó€before€a€date€to€sign€the€waiver€can€be€given,€the€County/State€agency€needs€toÐ 4"„  Ðreceive:Ð $#t! ÐÌà  à1.€the€paperwork€completed€by€the€placing€parent/s€and€a€report€written€by€the€ASPÐ ü$L # Ðà  à2.€a€copy€of€the€petition€filed€by€your€attorneyÐ è%8!$ ÐÌThe€paperwork€is€filed€in€the€County€in€which€the€adoptive€parents€reside.€Therefore,€if€you€liveÐ À'#& Ðfar€from€the€birth€mother,€and€she€wants€to€sign€a€waiver,€we€will€request€the€agency€where€theÐ ¬(ü#' Ðpaperwork€is€filed€to€request€an€agency€closer€to€the€birth€motherððs€home€to€meet€with€her€to€signÐ ˜)è$( Ðthe€waiver.€This€request€can€take€time,€but€we€will€make€every€effort€to€make€sure€the€birthÐ „*Ô%) Ðmother€signs€a€waiver,€if€she€so€chooses.€Ð p+À&* Їòòò òBirth€Fathersó óóó:€It€is€your€ò òattorneyððs€responsibility€to€handle€birth€father€rightsó ó.€€Birth€fathersÐ ° Ðfall€into€one€of€two€categories:€alleged€or€presumed.€€A€presumed€birth€father€has€more€rightsÐ  ð Ðthan€an€alleged.€€He€is€presumed€if€the€birth€mother€is€living€with€him,€€married€to€him,€or€hasÐ ŒÜ Ðnot€been€divorced€from€him€for€more€than€300€days.€€A€birth€father€can€sign€a€denial€of€paternity,Ð xÈ Ða€waiver€of€rights,€notarized,€or€a€consent.€€Your€attorney€will€fill€you€in€on€this€process.Ð d´ ÐÌò òòòHome€study:óóó ó€€€After€the€consent€form€has€been€signed€and€all€paperwork€has€been€mailed€to€theÐ < Œ ÐCounty/State€office€serving€you,€you€will€be€assigned€a€social€worker€to€do€your€home€study€ifÐ ( x Ðyou€do€not€already€have€one€completed.Ð  d ÐÌò òòòÔ_ÔICPCÔ_Ô:€ó óóó€If€you€or€the€birth€mother€come€from€out„of„state,€an€Interstate€Compact€agreement€isÐ ì <  Ðnecessary€from€the€Sending€State€to€the€Receiving€State.€€Under€most€circumstances,€yourÐ Ø(  Ðattorney€will€be€taking€care€of€completing€those€documents.€€If€the€ASP€completes€your€Ô_ÔICPCÔ_ÔÐ Ä  Ðdocuments,€you€will€be€billed€for€that€service€from€your€ASP.€€Ð °  ÐÌò òòòFinalizing€in€California:€óóó óIf€you€are€from€out„of„state,€you€may€chose€to€finalize€your€adoption€inÐ ˆØ  ÐCalifornia€which€may€shorten€your€time€to€completion€and€your€costs.€€Discuss€this€option€withÐ tÄ Ðyour€attorney.€€You€still€will€need€to€do€an€Ô_ÔICPCÔ_Ô.ò òòòÐ `° Ðóóó óÌIf€you€are€from€out„of„state,€your€Ô_ÔhomestudyÔ_Ô€already€has€been€completed.€€Please€be€sure€to€bringÐ 8ˆ Ða€copy€of€it€with€you.€€Obtaining€clearance€to€return€home€can€take€a€couple€of€weeks.€€Ð $t ÐÌòòò òCounseling:ó óóó€€In€an€Independent€Adoption€in€California,€the€€placing€parent/s€is/are€informed€asÐ üL Ðpart€of€the€Advisement€process€that€s/he€has€a€right€to€a€òòminimumóó€of€three€counseling€sessions.€Ð è8 ÐWhereas€the€Family€Code€reads€ð ðminimum€of€three€counseling€sessionsðð€we€inform€the€placingÐ Ô$ Ðparent€requesting€the€counseling€that€the€intent€of€those€sessions€is€for€short„term€counseling€toÐ À Ðassist€with€the€emotions€associated€with€placing€a€child€for€adoption.€€Ð ¬ü ÐÌWe€explain€that€short„term€counseling€commonly€is€understood€to€range€between€3„6Ð „Ô Ðappointments.€€Additional€sessions€are€permitted€if€the€adoptive€parents€agree€that€extendedÐ pÀ Ðsessions€would€benefit€the€placing€parent.€€The€placing€parent/s€is/are€free€to€chose€any€licensedÐ \ ¬ Ðpsychotherapist€of€her/his€choice,€which€at€times€might€be€the€Adoption€Service€Provider.€€EachÐ H!˜ Ðtherapist€has€his/her€own€fee€rate.€€If€a€placing€parent€chooses€counseling,€either€your€attorney€orÐ 4"„  ÐASP€will€provide€names€and€phone€numbers€of€possible€therapists€in€the€birth€parentððsÐ  #p! Ðgeographical€area.€Ð  $\" ÐÌPayment€for€such€services€will€either€come€out€of€your€Trust€Fund,€if€one€was€established,€or€willÐ ä%4!$ Ðbe€directly€billed€to€you€by€the€therapist.€€Please€be€advised€that€a€release€of€information€will€beÐ Ð& "% Ðneeded€from€the€birth€parent€requesting€the€counseling€so€the€therapist€can€bill€you.€€Also,€someÐ ¼' #& Ðtype€of€confirmation€of€services€will€be€required.Ð ¨(ø#' Ðò òÌÌÐ l+¼&* ÐÓ  ÓOur€office€procedure:Ð ° ÐÓ:ÓÌòòFees:óó€ó ó€It€is€standard€procedure€to€have€ò òall€fees€paid€to€all€parties€prior€to€processing€yourÐ ˆØ Ðpaperwork.ó ó€Therefore,€please€be€sure€to€take€care€of€any€outstanding€fees€upon€receipt,€or€youÐ xÈ Ðwill€slow€down€your€adoption€process.€€ò òó óSave€copies€of€all€fees€paid€to€give€to€your€lawyer€as€theÐ h¸ Ðcourt€needs€a€full€account€of€expenses€paid.Ð T ¤ ÐÌòòò òDrivingó óóó:€Normally€we€do€not€take€adoption€cases€that€require€more€than€90€minutes€drive€time€asÐ , | Ðthis€is€not€cost„effective.€€At€times€we€are€asked€for€certain€reasons€to€take€a€case€beyond€thatÐ  h Ðrange.€€Either€way,€there€are€times€when€the€ASP€will€drive€or€will€ask€a€driver€to€bring€theÐ  T  Ðplacing€parent/s€to€the€office.€€If€cases€when€a€driver€brings€the€placing€parent/s€to€the€office,€theÐ ð @  Ðdriving€fee€you€are€charged€is€approximately€the€same,€however,€the€driver€will€take€the€placingÐ Ü,  Ðparent/s€to€lunch€and€will€give€you€a€receipt€for€that€lunch,€(about€$10€or€more€depending€onÐ È  Ðwhether€the€driver€brought€just€the€birth€mother,€or€both€placing€parents.€Sometimes€the€placingÐ ´  Ðparent/s€bring€their€other€children€with€them.).€€The€driverððs€lunch€is€excluded€from€that€bill.Ð  ð  ÐÌIf€the€ASP€is€driving€a€distance€further€than€the€normal€range,€please€realize€that€the€drive€timeÐ xÈ Ðmay€delay€signing€the€consent€form€since€the€meeting€will€be€a€whole€day€process.€€Please€noteÐ d´ Ðthat€if€the€ASP€is€needed€to€drive/fly€a€longer€distance€due€to€circumstances,€the€travel€rate€billedÐ P  Ðis€$125€an€hour,€door„to„door.€€Ð <Œ ÐÌòòò òDriving€conditions:ó óóó€In€the€rare€event€that€weather€conditions€make€traveling€hazardous€(such€asÐ d ÐEl€Nino€conditions,€severe€Santa€Ana€winds,€unusually€heavy€rains)€appointments€will€beÐ P Ðrescheduled€to€protect€the€safety€of€all€parties.Ð ì< ÐÌò òÓ  ÓAdditional€Services:Ð Ä ÐÓBÓÌòòBirth€mother€assessments:óóó ó€€If€you€wish€a€deeper€knowledge€of€your€birth€motherððs€level€ofÐ œì Ðemotional€and€intellectual€functioning,€we€also€provide€a€range€of€assessments€available€for€theÐ ˆØ Ðbirth€mother.€€You€also€may€choose€a€career„assessment€for€her€to€give€her€better€insight€into€herÐ tÄ Ðown€capabilities.€Ð ` ° ÐÌTo€increase€birth€mother€compliance€in€completing€these€assessments,€we€ask€that€we€may€let€herÐ 8"ˆ  Ðknow€that€you€give€her€a€gift€certificate€upon€her€completion€and€return€of€€these€assessments€toÐ $#t! Ðmy€office€for€interpretation.€€Please€see€list€of€available€assessments,€and€costs.Ð $`" ÐÌòòò òNotary€services:ó óóó€€There€are€times€when€notary€services€are€required.€€Your€ASP€is€a€Notary€andÐ è%8!$ Ðcan€provide€those€services,€unless€it€is€a€conflict€of€interests.€At€those€times,€we€can€provideÐ Ô&$"% Ðanother€Notary€for€you.Ð À'#& ÐÌÔ‡&ð³%XXõ ÔÌÌ5/05Ô#†Xõ X%&ð³×F#ÔÐ H+˜&* ÐÐ  ,p'+ ЇÌÌÌÌÌÌòòò òó óóóÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌÌ