[juli714]

Hello everyone,

I am very curious as to when the adoption subsidy is negotiated. Do you negotiate the subsidy before taking the child or after? Are there any states that are better than others?

Any insight would be most appreciated.

Thanks again.

Juli

[bumpkin]

Our cw submitted all the paperwork to the board and we received a letter in the mail OK'ing it. Hope that helps.

[juli714]

Hi,

Was that before receiving the child or after? Does the adoption subsidy agreement get negotiated before taking the child? Or do they negotiate it after you have agreed to take the child.

I'm am totally in the dark on this.

Thanks again.

[rindava]

child is at in foster care...then in most states you should get the same, each state is different in many asspects of the sub rate, and by federally law it can be renegotiated at any time...

most kids in Va are on basic rate, at least what I have heard....since I only know kids personally on higher rates in Missouri, I knew a dozen or so getting pretty good rates, but that changed due to the new state laws....and apparently title IV-E status is a big deal (my children are not title IV-E because in both cases b-parents signed over their rights and they were not terminated in court, at least that is the reason I am being given)

States vary greatly....in most cases you should get all court costs and visits paid for and related homestudy fees and you should get at least basic board rate...some states give child care, others don't ...some people get attachment therapy and intensives paid for...

in both cases sub was established at before placement during visits .......

[mkferrel]

In our county the subsidy is always negotiated prior to finalization. There are preplacement visits scheduled so the pre-adoptive parent and child can aquaint themselves. If the child and pre-adoptive parent feel comfortable another visit is scheduled if both agree to the placement then a placement will happen at which point they will be contacted by the adoption subsidy department once the matching is completed.

When a foster parent adopts the subsidy is still negotiated prior to finalization but there is not need for pre-placement visits.

[Bearcat4444]

I don't know about when, since we are just starting to do the process and our case is a little different. But I will pass on some info I left in another post that may be useful. We live in Maryland, but it may be similar in other states.

The subsidy is based on children's qualifications. The state sets a rate the children qualify for. We have been told by a former adoption worker that although the children qualify for the full amount which is chosen by the state, that the actual figure is negotiated by the county, which obviously has an interest in agreeing to as small an amount as possible. The adoptions unit staff have been instructed to start with a small figure and negotiate up as needed. There has been a lot of problems recently as a result. Adoptive parents have gotten together and realized they were getting very different amounts for the same child qualifications. Some of the adoptive parents are pretty upset, understandably, and are trying to force the county to increase the amount of their subsidy. They have been successful to varying degrees. The advice we were given was to find out what the current maximum amount set by the state is, and use that when you enter negotiations and make it clear that you will settle for nothing less. The county may play hardball, but are not going to remove the children from a stable home just to find a 'cheaper' adoptive parent and the children's CINA attorney would fight any such move. Demand the full amount and stick to your guns is what we were told. That is what we intend to do.

[cpipitone]

We had to negotiate the rate before we ever met the kid--but so much about our case was rushed and out of the ordinary.

[mkferrel]

Good morning if they rushed you thats ok you can go back at anytime a negotiate the terms of your subsidy if your local county will not respond contact the state department that governs your local county and they can assist you. If they don't want to listen they have to deny you then you take your concerns to a state hearing. Have Great Day!!!!!!!!

[mythreekids]

Go to this website NACAC | Adoption Subsidy
to find all kinds of good stuff about the adoption subsidies offered in each state. There are definitely some that are much better than others. For example, in NC, they basically give the monthly foster care payment to the adoptive family with no negotiation necessary. I am currently adopting through NV, and they don't want to give me a dime. I am fighting for everything, including Medicaid coverage.
Hope this site provides the info you are looking for. And to answer your other question, it is my experience that the subsidy is only negotiated AFTER the child is placed with you (during the 6 month period prior to the adoption being finalized).

[hkolln]

In our Niece's case we are doing the adoption subsidy agreement after TPR happens in mid August. We will get 2k non recurring expenses covered (but sending all our expenses so far) and then medicaid and a monthly subsidy too. She is 7 (almost 8-will be when we adopt her) and she was in another state before moving to our home end of June.