[cvalda]

In foster/adoption, if adopting from a different State, is the adoptive parent required to travel? Who pays the travel expenses?

Thanks!

;~) Kelly

[chemist]

Generally, the adoptive parents pay travel expenses.

I don't know if it would be different when foster care systems are involved, though.

[rsbg]

From what I've heard, you pay the expenses up front and then once the adoption is finalized, then you get reimbursed. I don't know if that applies to all states, I would assume so????

[missw005]

Yes, the adoptive parent has to travel. How long you have to stay is up to each particular state, and sometimes each particular county or child's worker. Sometimes you also have to have a court appearance during your stay. For one of my sons, it was 48 hours. For my other son, I had to stay there at LEAST 5 nights. Honestly, though, it depends on the child - the younger they are, the easier they can be to transition. But the older they are, or the more special needs they have, the longer your stay. Some states also require visits before placement - I've lucked out and not been required to do them, due to the financial strain it would put on my family. I couldn't afford to do multiple visits PLUS a week's stay during the final transition to move the child(ren) home with me. But the workers can demand that you do it.
As for the costs, you pay upfront. But you are reimbursed later - some states do it before finalization, which can take 6-12 months after placement. It's called Nonrefundable Adoption Expenses, which are expenses you only occur once (in theory) during your adoption placement. The maximum you get is $2000 per child. Some states only do $250. There's a chart on NACAC (North American Council on Adoptable Children) - it's a subsidy chart, but if you look 4-5 boxes to the right (starting from the left hand side) of your child's state's box, it will state how much their nonrefundable adoption expenses are.
Do remember that you have to have receipts for EVERYTHING - and they'll not only refund you for travel (plane tickets, hotel, car rental, meals while you're there), but also legal fees, homestudy fees, long-distance telephone calls to the child's worker or foster home, and other miscellaneous things like color copies of your family's pictures that you sent to the child. More often than not, you'll have well over the refundable expense limit - and in theory, that you can recover with the tax credit from the federal government - I think it's $11 or $12,000 per child, if they qualify as special needs. However, you need to have enough tax debt to qualify for the tax credit - if that makes sense.
Josh Kroll at NACAC is a GREAT resource for out of state adoptions, subsidy, etc. and is really nice to work with.
Here's the website:
AAP chart

Hope that helps! I've adopted twice out of state and am about to adopt again for the 3rd time.

Sandy

[cvalda]

Thanks for the good information! I think if I look at other states, they will have to be ones surrounding my state of residence... if travel is required... as I have six kids already and I don't like to leave them for more than a night TOPS, and traveling with all six would be - well... quiet an adventure, to say the least! LOL!

Thanks again!

;~) Kelly