General Info

The California Department of Social Services' (CDSS) Adoptions Services Bureau (ASB) Facilitates Adoption of Children Who Need Permanent Homes by Providing Direct Agency and Independent Adoption Services Through Seven District Offices Located Throughout the State. All Seven Offices Provide Independent Services and Five of the Offices Also Provide Agency Services. Collectively, the Seven District Offices Operate the Third Largest Adoption Agency in California. The ASB Provides Agency Services for 28 Counties in California. The Services Focus Exclusively on the Placement of Court Dependent Children, the Majority of Whom Have Special Needs. In An "Agency Adoption" the Child is Placed for Adoption by the CDSS or a Licensed County or Private Adoption Agency. A Birth Parent's Parental Rights are Terminated Either by Court Action or Voluntarily Relinquishing Their Parental Rights. The Adoption Agency is Responsible for the Adoptive Planning of the Child Until the Completion of the Adoption. The ASB Also Provides Independent Services for 55 Counties. Independent or Private Adoptions are Private Transactions Initiated by the Parties of the Adoption. In An "Independent Adoption," It is the Birth Parent's Decision and Responsibility to Select the Adoptive Parent(s) and to Place the Child Directly with the Adoptive Family.