Right Column
CDSS Adoption District Offices - Rohnert Park (Santa Rosa)
Counties served by the Rohnert Park District Office
Agency Adoption
Lake
Mendocino
Napa
Sonoma
Adoption Informational Meetings
Adoption informational meetings in Rohnert Park are held at the RPDO which is located at 101 Golf Course Drive, First Floor Conference Room, Rohnert Park, California. The meetings will be held on November 18, 2009, January 27, 2010, April 28, 2010, July 28, 2010 and October 27, 2010 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The meetings are open to residents from Lake, Mendocino, Napa and Sonoma.
The meetings provide information about the adoption process to individuals and/or families who are considering adding a child to their family by adopting. The meeting is led by an Adoptions Specialist who will explain among other issues, the homestudy and placement procedures, how our agency collaborates with local foster care programs, training, post-adoption services and will be available to answer your specific questions. This is the first step in the adoption application process.
There is no charge to attend an informational meeting. For more information about these meetings, please call (707) 588-5000 or email dloretz@dss.ca.gov.
Adoptive Parent Preparation Class
The RPDO offers a two day class to adoptive applicants who are in the process of having a child or children placed in their home. This is an interactive class and offers an opportunity to learn more about adoption issues faced by all families, including the legal process, characteristics of children placed for adoption, attachment services and financial resources available to help meet special needs. Each class features a panel presentation from experienced adoptive parents who will share their inspiring stories. The class is also an opportunity to connect with other families which often leads to long-term support and friendship.
For additional information, call (707) 588-5000 or email dloretz@dss.ca.gov.
Post Adoption Services
The RPDO is proud to announce the collaboration with Parents Place, a non-profit organization that offers parenting support, education and training. Parents Place will provide Post Adoption Services (PAS) to the residents of Sonoma, Lake, Napa and Mendocino Counties. All post adoption services are free of charge and include:
- Post Adoption Support Groups: Support groups are currently forming. Groups are six weeks with a final family activity on the last session. There is a coed group for boys and girls ages 5-10 and a girls group for 10-13. Parents will have their own support group while the children are meeting.
- Information and Referral Services: These services include assessing and responding to adoptive family needs, questions and concerns. Whether the need is for help in a crisis, selecting a therapist, advocating for educational services, techniques for parenting teens, recommendations for adoption books and resources or any other needs, assistance can be obtained through information and referral services.
- Crisis Intervention Services: These services include short-term, therapy to assist a family in crisis. Support services may include in-office or visits to the family's home, attending IEP meetings, consulting with mental health professions and other appropriate service providers.
- Children’s Group Services: These services include support groups for adoptive children and their siblings. Topics may include discussing adoption with your parents, birth family contact, making a life book, family dynamics and other issues common to children and youth.
- Creating a Lifebook Worshop: Lifebooks help connect children to their histories and beginnings. They create foundations that help children attach to their adoptive family. Classes are available on-going.
For more information contact:
Liz Jimenez, MFT SW at (707) 571-20481509, or email lizj@jfc.org.
In addition to Parents Place, residents of Napa County can access post adoption services through Lilliput Children’s Services. Services include parent support groups, children’s activities, and quarterly workshops for parent and adoption professionals. Lilliput also publishes a regular newsletter. Lilliput Children’s Services is located at 1721 1st Street, Napa, California 94559, (707) 256-1501.
BI-Monthly Adoption Newsletter
A free BI-monthly adoption newsletter, which provides current information on adoption related community resources, new publications, trainings, workshops and parenting support, is available. To receive a copy, please email or call Liz Jimenez, MSW at (707) 571-1509, or email lizj@jfc.org.
Children Available for Adoption
In an effort to utilize the power of the Internet and to bring children and families together, the California Kids Connection program was developed as California's registry of children waiting to be adopted and families wanting to adopt. The program offers both a secure website accessible only to California licensed adoption agency personnel and a public site accessible to any Internet user.
The public site is available to anyone using the Internet at www.cakidsconnection.com. Visitors to this area of the website may view and indicate their interest in specific children by sending an immediate email to the adoption agency identified for each child. This site features children for whom legal clearance has been granted by the court.
Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children
The Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children (ICPC) establishes procedures for the adoption of children coming into California from another state and for children who are leaving California to be adopted by individuals who live in other states.
Information about ICPC forms and procedures for Agency adoptions is available at licensed public or private adoption agencies. Information regarding ICPC for Independent adoptions is available at CDSS adoptions district offices. Residents of Alameda, Los Angeles, or San Diego Counties should contact the licensed public adoption agencies in their county of residence.
To obtain a copy of licensed adoption agencies click here: "Directory of California Adoption Agencies" or call 1-800-KIDS-4-US.
Inter-Country Adoptions
You can adopt a child from another country through California's Intercountry Adoption Program. To obtain information about the program requirements, contact a private adoption agency licensed to provide these services in the county where you reside. To obtain a copy of licensed adoption agencies click here "Directory of California Adoption Agencies" or call 1-800-KIDS-4-US.
For further details on Intercountry adoptions, view the website www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis or contact the Immigration and Naturalization Service National Customer Service Center at 1 (800) 375-5283.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
Diana Loretz
District Office Manager
Rohnert Park District Office
101 Golf Course Drive, Suite 250
Rohnert Park, CA 94928
Telephone: (707) 588-5000
FAX:(707) 588-5019
Email: Diana.Loretz@dss.ca.gov