Section 42.05. Center functions.

  The adoption information center shall carry out the following functions:

(1)  Operate a toll-free telephone line to provide information and referral services, as follows:

(a) Provide coverage 24 hours a day by staff, trained volunteers, an answering service or an answering machine. When the center is operated under contract, the department shall specify in the contract an average number of hours a week that the toll-free line is to be answered by staff or trained volunteers;

(b) Respond within 2 working days to all requests for information or referral left with an answering machine or answering service. If center staff are unable to reach the caller within that period of time, they shall document attempts to reach the caller; and

(c) Recruit and train volunteers to provide telephone coverage. Ensure that each staff person or volunteer taking a toll-free call or responding to an inquiry is knowledgeable about adoption law, services and procedures and is capable of providing a helpful nonjudgmental response to a variety of issues raised by a caller;

(2)  Refer expectant birthparents or their representatives who contact the center to a designated contact person in the county social services or human services department in that county or to a licensed adoption agency;

(3)  Make available to inquirers a list of public adoption agencies and licensed private adoption agencies in Wisconsin with brief descriptions of their services. As appropriate to an inquirer's request, the center may distribute promotional material supplied to it by these agencies;

(4)  Maintain current information on adoption services and related services, which shall include:

(a) Statistical information on the number and types of adoptions occurring in Wisconsin;

(b) Accurate information on Wisconsin adoption laws;

(c) A list of adoption agencies in Wisconsin with the types of services each offers; and

(d) For each county, the name of a contact person who will, on request, arrange for local public agency support services for an adolescent or adult experiencing a problem pregnancy or considering options to parenting;

(5)  Publish a directory of post-adoption services and support organizations available to assist birthparents who release their child for adoption;

(6)  Seek out and provide training to persons who provide counseling to adolescents, including school counselors, county child welfare workers and family planning clinic employees, and to other helping professionals to develop an understanding that adoption is an option for an adolescent or an adult experiencing a problem pregnancy or considering options to parenting, to make people aware of the center's toll free telephone service and to convey information about the variety of adoption-related services available in the state. The training shall include discussion of independent and agency adoption practices, the range of opportunities for contact between the birth parent and the adoptive parent and between the birth parent and the adopted person, adoption information search, and termination of parental rights (TPR) proceedings;

(7)  Offer to make presentations on the services of the center and on the adoption option at Wisconsin professional association and statewide and community organization meetings;

(8)  Develop publicity to inform Wisconsin adolescents about adoption and to promote the positive benefits of adoption;

(9)  Offer to make presentations to youth and young adult groups and assemblies to inform youth and young adults about adoption procedures and related services;

(10)  Disseminate information widely, including through the communications media, to make the public aware of the toll-free telephone number and services of the center; and

(11)  Work with local counseling, social service, education, health care and other service providers to promote adoption as an option for adolescents and adults with problem pregnancies or who are considering options to parenting and increase public knowledge of adoption procedures and appreciation for adoptions.

History: Cr. Register, May, 1992, No. 437 , eff. 6-1-92.