[leenab]

Our fost/adopt son was recently dx with FAS, ADHD, SID, functional developmental delays, all on top of beign born exposed to cocaine & testing positive at birth. Right now we're receiving the standard subsidy for a 4 yr old child. So I imagine this will be changing. We're very close to adoption and I asked his caseworker, but she wants to wait for all of the reports to come back. This will take at least 3-4 months as some of our appointments aren't scheduled until september and october. What has been everyone's experience with things like this?
Thanks,
LeenaB

[hope4kids]

the subsidy rate will not likely change unless you pursue it. Do not go forward with adoption until the subsidy is as complete as you can get it. With your son being so young and having new diagnoses, there could be services he will need that you do not anticipate yet. Make sure you have an attorney who is good at working with special needs adoptions look at the subsidy before you sign it. It is hard to get changes in the subsidy after adoption.

[gclvaruba]

All states are different, but in ours, GA. if there is a level of care, it is in the best interest of all to have it assigned prior to the 33 being signed. If a LOC is assigned after the 33 well...

Also, even once a LOC is established, the state at times reduces it once the adoption becomes final on the grounds that the child has made progress.

With your diaganosis, I personally can not see your level of care changing, and it would be in your best interest to be aggressive with the cw's and demand what is in the best interest of the child.

[rights]

Whoever dianosed this child can type a letter explaining the time and effort it will take to care for this child. If you turn it into the cw, they should be able to raise his placement to at least medical if not a career placement. Believe me, they will not do anything unless you push them. If you get the placement changed before the adoption, then your adoption subsidy will raise also. They will tell you that you can always go back and change it but that is more time and effort. They might as well do it now. I have a PDD child, all of his therapist typed letters about his care and I turned them in and he was raised to a medical placement. At times, I don't think that is enough. He has destroyed so much stuff at our house, his favorite is to break the blinds. Don't feel bad for asking, you will need the funds in the future. It's hard not to love these special children that God sent us. I would not adopt the child we have without keeping his medicaid, medical subsidy, respite, and daycare even though I haven't found a daycare that is ready for him.

[leenab]

I have just submitted the neurodevelopmental to the CW and am waiting for the OT eval to be written up. Tomorrow R has a speech/language evaluation as well. So we'll be waiting for that report too. Next week he sees a Ped Endochronolgist for possible precocious puberty.

The state seems so relaxed about it, telling us not to worry, the subsidy can be changed after adoption. But it does seem like it would be a lot easier for everyone involved if the subsidy changed before adoption.

Right now our adoption paperwork is at the court, waiting for a date to be assigned. I'm going to call the lawyer and ask them about the change in subsidy.

Thanks,
LeenaB

[hope4kids]

Technically a subsidy can be changed after adoption, but it is not easy. I fought for 15 months for a one time expense to be added in our subsidy. And that was with letters of support from the pediatrician, neurologist, psychologist, speech therapist, and occupational therapist. Keep pressing on the front end for the things your son deserves.

[leenab]

Just an update:
Our subsidy did increase. But only by $100 a month. R went from a level A rate to a level C rate. I thought this was really a small increase considering how much more R needs. He has OT once a week and Speech therapy twice a week, sees a peidatric neorologist every 3 months and is waiting for a child study and genteticist appointment. All this on top of me working with him at home, brushing every hour & joint compressions. And homeschooling him for preschool.

The subsidy was changed on the basis of his ADHD and multiple developmental delays and still being a minority over the age of 2 yrs old. The possibility of FAS was left out as it won't be confirmed until we see a geneticist. Which we'll be seeing in October. So for now we have to deal with the subsidy not changing a lot. And then after the reports from the geneticist are in we can apply to change the subsidy.

-LeenaB

[Iconapbts]

I am new here...... You can get help with day care costs???? We have had 2 sisters since 07/02/04 and have not received a dime yet..... Due to what they call a clerical error. Our savings is bankrupt and I have lost my job due to a lack of money for daycare and the behavior of these girls.

[leenab]

Icon-
In our state daycare is subsidized. The state will pay I believe $600 month to a daycare provider as long as the child is a foster child. After adoption it stops. But as a foster child children are ellidgable for head start programs, your area probably has at least one program.

Our state has been really great about subsidy, and making sure it's received on time. We usually get a check once a month around the 10th-14th of the month. Also at the time of placement if the children need clothes, ie come with nothing then a check is usually issued.

I know in NJ the check will cover some expenses, certainly not all. We just had a little girl placed with us with nothing but the clothes on her back. I spent $100 more than what the initial check was for. She needed absolutely everything: clothes, shoes, diapers, hair stuff, everything. And of course we had to get her some dolls, since we have no girly toys in the house.

The subsidy won't cover everything unless you shop at garage sales. We just don't have the time for that and I end up at the outlet mall.

http://www.nacac.org/stateprofiles/california.html You may want to check out this site about subsidy.

-LeenaB