This document details specific sub-standards for which First Steps can be used. Sub-standards excerpted from 22 CFR Part 96 appear in red, and the how First Steps addresses the sub-standard appears in black.

First Steps focuses on psycho-educational aspects of adoption, not specific country issues, individual child issues, or administrative requirements of the Hague Standards. The training can be done individually (self-paced) or in a group format, and certificates of completion are available to document the training.

Sec. 96.38 Training requirements for social services personnel.

(b) In addition to the orientation training required under paragraph (a) of this section, the agency or person provides initial training to newly hired or current employees whose responsibilities include providing adoption-related social services that involve the application of clinical skills and judgment (home studies, child background studies, counseling services, parent preparation, postplacement and other similar services) that addresses:
First Steps for Strengthening Adoptive Families provides training to cover most parts of Sec 96.38(b). Specific areas addressed are noted below.

(1) The factors in the countries of origin that lead to children needing adoptive families;
Specific country issue, not covered by First Steps.

(2) Feelings of separation, grief, and loss experienced by the child with respect to the family of origin;
First Steps provides substantial training for this sub-standard.

(3) Attachment and post-traumatic stress disorders;
First Steps provides full training for this sub-standard.

(4) Psychological issues facing children who have experienced abuse or neglect and/or whose parents' rights have been terminated because of abuse or neglect;
First Steps provides substantial training for this sub-standard.

(5) The impact of institutionalization on child development;
First Steps provides substantial training for this sub-standard.

(6) Outcomes for children placed for adoption internationally and the benefits of permanent family placements over other forms of government care;
Administrative issue, not covered by First Steps.

(7) The most frequent medical and psychological problems experienced by children from the countries of origin served by the agency or person;
First Steps provides substantial training for this sub-standard.

(8) The process of developing emotional ties to an adoptive family;
First Steps provides full training for this sub-standard.

(9) Acculturation and assimilation issues, including those arising from factors such as race, ethnicity, religion, and culture and the impact of having been adopted internationally; and
First Steps provides full training for this sub-standard.

(10) Child, adolescent, and adult development as affected by adoption.
First Steps provides full training for this sub-standard.

(c) The agency or person ensures that employees who provide adoption related social services that involve the application of clinical skills and judgment (home studies, child background studies, counseling services, parent preparation, postplacement and other similar services) also receive, in addition to the orientation and initial training described in paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, no less than thirty hours of training every two years, or more if required by State law, on current and emerging adoption practice issues through participation in seminars, conferences, documented distance learning courses, and other similar programs. Continuing education hours required under State law may count toward the thirty hours of training as long as the training is related to current and emerging adoption practice issues.
First Steps for Strengthening Adoptive Families provides up to 5.5 hours of continuing education. Certificates are available to document the training experience.

Sec. 96.48 Preparation and training of prospective adoptive parent(s) in incoming cases

(a) The agency or person provides prospective adoptive parent(s) with at least ten hours (independent of the home study) of preparation and training, as described in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, designed to promote a successful inter-country adoption. The agency or person provides such training before the prospective adoptive parent(s) travel to adopt the child or the child is placed with the prospective adoptive parent(s) for adoption.
The First Steps for Strengthening Adoptive Families study program can be completed individually (self-paced) or as part of a group. Certificates of completion are available to document completion of training. First Steps focuses on the psycho-educational aspects of adoption.

(b) The training provided by the agency or person addresses the following topics:
(1) The inter-country adoption process, the general characteristics and needs of children awaiting adoption, and the in-country conditions that affect children in the Convention country from which the prospective adoptive parent(s) plan to adopt;
Administrative issue, not covered by First Steps.

(2) The effects on children of malnutrition, relevant environmental toxins, maternal substance abuse, and of any other known genetic, health, emotional, and developmental risk factors associated with children from the expected country of origin;
First Steps provides substantial training for this sub-standard.

(3) Information about the impact on a child of leaving familiar ties and surroundings, as appropriate to the expected age of the child;
First Steps provides full training for this sub-standard.

(4) Data on institutionalized children and the impact of institutionalization on children, including the effect on children of the length of time spent in an institution and of the type of care provided in the expected country of origin;
First Steps provides some training for this sub-standard.

(5) Information on attachment disorders and other emotional problems that institutionalized or traumatized children and children with a history of multiple caregivers may experience, before and after their adoption;
First Steps provides full training for this sub-standard.

(6) Information on the laws and adoption processes of the expected country of origin, including foreseeable delays and impediments to finalization of an adoption;
Administrative issue, not covered by First Steps.

(7) Information on the long-term implications for a family that has become multicultural through inter-country adoption;
First Steps provides some training for this sub-standard.

(8) An explanation of any reporting requirements associated with Convention adoptions, including any post-placement or post-adoption reports required by the expected country of origin.
Administrative issue, not covered by First Steps.

(c) The agency or person also provides the prospective adoptive parent(s) with training that allows them to be as fully prepared as possible for the adoption of a particular child. This includes counseling on:
(1) The child's history and cultural, racial, religious, ethnic, and linguistic background;
(2) The known health risks in the specific region or country where the child resides;
(3) Any other medical, social, background, birth history, educational data, developmental history, or any other data known about the particular child.
First Steps does not cover information related to individual children.

(d) The agency or person provides such training through appropriate methods, including:
(1) Collaboration among agencies or persons to share resources to meet the training needs of prospective adoptive parents;
(2) Group seminars offered by the agency or person or other agencies or training entities;
(3) Individual counseling sessions;
(4) Video, computer-assisted, or distance learning methods using standardized curricula;
(5) In cases where training cannot otherwise be provided, an extended home study process, with a system for evaluating the thoroughness with which the topics have been covered.
First Steps is a video training method, so it is appropriate. The curriculum can be offered in group settings as well.

(e) The agency or person provides additional in-person, individualized counseling and preparation, as needed, to meet the needs of the prospective adoptive parent(s) in light of the particular child to be adopted and his or her special needs, and any other training or counseling needed in light of the child background study or the home study.
Not covered by First Steps.

(f) The agency or person provides the prospective adoptive parent(s) with information about print, internet, and other resources available for continuing to acquire information about common behavioral, medical, and other issues; connecting with parent support groups, adoption clinics and experts; and seeking appropriate help when needed.
First Steps contains a list of references that can be used to fulfill this sub-standard.

(g) The agency or person exempts prospective adoptive parent(s) from all or part of the training and preparation that would normally be required for a specific adoption only when the agency or person determines that the prospective adoptive parent(s) have received adequate prior training or have prior experience as parent(s) of children adopted from abroad.
Administrative issue, not covered by First Steps.

(h) The agency or person records the nature and extent of the training and preparation provided to the prospective adoptive parent(s) in the adoption record.
Administrative issue, not covered by First Steps.

Questions? Email Todd Nichols.

See a diagram of the First Steps Study Program.