[sfbaymom2000]

Hi all,

I am confused about the adoption assistance program in California. Although the availability or unavailability of subsidies after adoption would not influence our plans, I would like to understand it. My first impression (from our PRIDE classes) was that virtually all foster children qualified for adoption assistance payments. Then I think I read that it was only if they were classified "special needs". And I have read various things about the "special need" classification, including that in some states any child over 2 is considered special needs. Our social worker gave us the impression that adoption assitance is based more on financial need of the adoptive parents.

Cany anyone clarify this for me? Are there both a CA and Federal program?

Thanks for any information!
Lynn

[mary112233]

Lynn,Yes most FC do qualify for AAP.And no its not based on your income.You will be ask to fill out a form and state what you are requesting. With our last adoption she doesen't qualify for any special needs rate so I just requested the amount I was getting as a foster care payment(425.00 per month) A child has to have one of the following. Hope this helps
Mary



California State Subsidy Profile


Updated April 2004


Phone


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Adoption subsidies are available for children with special needs. Federal subsidies were created by Congress (through Public Law 96-272–the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980) to encourage the adoption of special needs children and remove the financial disincentives to adoption for the families. Children may receive a federally funded subsidy under Title IV-E or a state-funded subsidy as per state guidelines. Below we have outlined information related to definitions of special needs, benefits available, and procedures in your state. If you have additional questions, please call the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) at 651-644-3036 or our subsidy help line at 800-470-6665, or e-mail us at adoption.assistance@nacac.org. If you have state-specific questions, please call your state subsidy contact person or the NACAC subsidy representative (both listed above) for more information.


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1. California's legal definition of special needs is as follows:

The child has at least one of the following characteristics that are barriers to his or her adoption without subsidy:

Adoptive placement without financial assistance is unlikely because of membership in a sibling group that should remain intact, or by virtue of race, ethnicity, color, language, age of 3 years or older, or parental background of a medical or behavioral nature that can be determined to adversely affect the development of the child; and/or
Adoptive placement without financial assistance is unlikely because the child has a mental, physical, emotional, or medical disability that has been certified by a licensed professional competent to make an assessment and operating within the scope of his or her profession.

[sfbaymom2000]

Mary,

Thanks so much for the information. It is very helpful!

Lynn

[Katey]

In California, there is a group that is either working with a grant or that works off non--profit funds - not sure which.

But they run the Seirra Adoption Services - The AAP Education & Advocacy Project.
Web site: www.aaphelp.org
phone: 1-800-227-8044

I have called them in the past. They are wonderful, spent a lot of time tlaking to me on the phone to explain everything and send information that was relevant to the situation at the time.

They can give you all the info on California AAP and they are really nice about it.

Good luck.

KC