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Kentucky Adoption Services Education Requirements

Kentucky Adoption Services recognizes the importance of thorough preparation for prospective adoptive families before they embark on their adoption journey.  This agency requires a minimum of 10 hours of adoption training. 

Upon approval of the KAS Formal Application, each family adopting internationally receives the Adopting Parent Education packet.  This packet provides all directions for completing the required adoption training, as presented by Adoption Education, LLC. The courses are presented in an easy-to-understand format, with a quiz and Certificate of Completion, when the courses are complete.  After the Certificate of Completion is submitted to KAS, the education requirement is considered fulfilled. 

KAS families utilizing another agency for either Home Study or Child Placement Services may choose to obtain the minimum of 10 hours training on Hague-required topics by the other agency.

Successful completion of the following Adoption Education, LLC courses are necessary for all families fulfilling their education through KAS:

• Attachment and Bonding
• Behavioral and Mental Disorders
• Culture and Identity
• Effects of Institutionalization
• Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
• Malnutrition
• Prenatal Drug Exposure
• Sensory Integration Disorder
• Special Regional Considerations
• Travel and Transition

Families must complete the required Adoption Education prior to home study approval (if only using KAS for home study services) or dossier submission (if using KAS for child placing services). 

Families will additionally receive a Post Adoption/Post Placement worksheet to explain the purpose and schedule for these reports after the child has arrived.  A list of "Above and Beyond" learning opportunities will be provided and encouraged by KAS; this list promotes many ideas for ongoing education, consisting of personal instruction, additional online courses, books, media resources, and interactive research.

For Kentucky families utilizing KAS Home Study Services, an Education Interview (sometimes known as an Initial Interview) with their Home Study Case Worker is conducted.  This interview occurs in a private setting, usually in the KAS offices.  Typically, the Education Interview will last 3-4 hours. 

An International Adoption Training Guide is provided to each family, which consists of many adoption articles about general adoption information, transracial and transcultural adoption, attachment and bonding, health issues, additional adoption support, and a final section relevant to Kentucky adoptive families.  As this interview is done in a private setting, the education provided is concentrated towards the unique adoption program, age of child, and country issues for the program to which they have applied.  The Case Worker will provide examples of real-life occurrences that other adoptive families and children (identity not disclosed) we have served have experienced.

Families not utilizing Kentucky Adoption Services, Inc. Home Study services will be provided a copy of the International Adoption Training Guide (without the final section of Kentucky Adoptive Parenting Support).

Ongoing adoption education is encouraged by this agency, and monthly packets on various adoption topics are provided to KAS Child Placing families beginning the month after dossier submission.  Upon arrival, families will receive a Welcome Home Packet with detailed information about post adoption paperwork and transition issues.

For families not utilizing Kentucky Adoption Services, Inc. Child Placing services, they must complete the Education Interview, and with appropriate documentation from the family and their Child Placing Agency, may follow the educational curriculum of the Child Placing Agency.   However, all KAS families must complete at least ten additional hours of adoption education.