D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-1633
The child-placing agency shall make a written assessment of the needs and strengths of the child prior to selection of an adoptive family.
When adoption is the placement of choice for a child and all adoptive requirements have been met, the child-placing agency shall ensure that the child is placed expeditiously in a permanent home.
The child-placing agency shall place siblings together whenever possible.
In selecting an adoptive family, the agency shall make maximum efforts to place the child in a home of persons of the same race to help preserve the racial heritage. This effort shall not jeopardize the child's right to permanent care.
In placing a child for adoption, the child-placing agency shall take into consideration a child's religious heritage.
The child-placing agency shall prepare each child for the separation from his family prior to the actual placement.
The child-placing agency shall ensure that permanent placement is the best plan, that the child is prepared for placement, and that the adoptive family is able to meet the child's needs.
Based upon the best interest of the child, the child-placing agency shall consider the child's needs, particularly for older children, to maintain contact with the birth family or significant others.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-1633