The terms disruption and dissolution each have specific meanings, however, disruption is used interchangeably to cover both situations.

It is an extremely emotional decision for both the family, and the child, and not one to be taken lightly. Do not take a child into your home thinking “if it doesn’t work out, we can just disrupt.” The matching process should be done with extreme caution, and lots of thought. Every move that a child goes through, leaves emotional scars.

That being said, there are times when a disruption or dissolution can not be prevented, and is in the best interest of everyone involved.

If you decide not to continue the placement, and the adoption has not been finalized yet, this is a disruption, in the legal sense of the word. The process is significantly different than dissolving an adoption.

In a true disruption, you will notify your placing worker, that you do not wish to continue the placement. The worker should talk with you, to ensure that everything possible has been done to preserve the placement. Are you being offered all the services and resources that your family needs? The time frame for moving the child will depend upon the situation in your home. If personal safety is a consideration, every effort will be made to remove the child as soon as possible. In an ideal situation, the child would not be moved until another pre-adoptive placement can be found. Depending on the child, this may not be possible, and it may result in a foster care placement again.

When the child is moved, please be honest with the new family. Do not down play any behaviors you experienced. The more prepared the new family is, the better the chances of a successful placement. Do not feel that any detail is too small.

Whether or not you maintain contact with the child following his removal, will be up to the new family. Each family is different on their level of comfort with this. Some may feel that continued contact is important. Others feel it is too confusing for the child. Some families are happy with photos or written updates. These are details that you will need to work out.

In dissolution, there must be court and agency involvement. Do not attempt dissolution without an attorney. Parental rights must be terminated, child support may be awarded by the court, and if the child is traveling across state lines for a new placement, the ICPC offices must be involved.

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