Glossary of Terms

A service that allows the parents and child a time to regroup and gain a new prospective while offering a change from daily routines. Think of it as a visit for the children to the home of an aunt or uncle or very good family friend while the parents take a needed break to re-energize so they may return to their ongoing parenting.

Structured meetings designed to build a community of support for all parties – the adopted children, the birth children and the permanent families.

A family who intends to adopt a child who has been placed in their home by the county agency or court.  Adoption finalization is pending.

The legal entity contracting with DHS to administer the SWAN program.

An adoption that occurs entirely independent of the public child welfare agency, either through a private adoption agency or with a private attorney.