[Kimmer]

I'm a single foster mom to 4 teenage boys, 2 are siblings and 1 of the siblings is mentally disabled (IQ 52, actual age 14, mental age 5) and a client of Inland Regional Center.

I'm certified with a private foster agency and receive the standard FFA foster rate for the boys ($750 each).

I'm interested in adopting my 'special' boy. He was removed from a very bad situation and I'm afraid he'll end up back with his parents when he turns 18. He's very attached to me and vice versa! I've learned to love WWE wrestling, LOL!

I am disabled also (heart condition) and receive Soc Sec Disability. I'm trying to figure out if I can 'afford' to adopt. The cost of living in our area is very expensive (rent $1550). I have no debt (no credit cards, car loans or personal loans). I spend everything on the boys so they can be like other kids, including $300 a month for allowances and extra money for movies, video games, etc.

Questions:

1) Regional Center doesn't pay my FFA extra because they aren't approved providers. Will they provide $$ to me directly if I adopt?

2) What would I expect the adoption subsidy to be for a mentally disabled child? He cannot be left unsupervised, cross the street or read (he can count to 50 and knows most of the alphabet).

3) If I adopt, he will receive a 25% rate of my Soc Sec check (the other 25% goes to my bio son). Is this subtracted from the adoption subsidy from the county? He is also eligible for SSI on his own (that's why his parents are eager for him to turn home).

His county social worker is young and told me to contact an adoption social worker. I'm waiting for them to return my call.