[sosfive]

Hi i am in the process on negotiating adoption subsidy in the state of kansas. Does anyone have any advice for someone who is clueless as to what to do in the negotiation.

are you able to ask for medical card and/or monthly subsidy. And are their certain needs that your child has that will entitle the child to this support.

I know the child has a medical condition, and older child (nine) and lately in the foster home they are in have revealed some issues that counseling will need to be sought out. But are their certain things that i can tell the srs as towhy i feel the child should be entitled to these services or do they sit down and say this is what i can do for you and i take it or fend for more? help asap! or any websites that you could tell me about?

[cj416]

I pmd you with some web sites. Hope they help!

[jhenrie]

I'm at the same point (will be negotiating subsidy/medical soon). Any similar advise for me would be greatly appreciated!!!

[mcdandw]

Medical will most likely be standard. 10 to 15 therapy visits will be covered under this.

I have seen varying amounts for subsidy amount. I would advocate for what you feel is fair!

[jhenrie]

Thanks!!

It's hard to know what is fair, though, since we've never done this before. We've always dealt with foster children, where the amounts & details are set; there is no negotiating.

Hmm...we feel ill armed!

[aMarylandfamily]

The amount of an adoption subsidy can be re-negotiated at any time ... especially if an added service is recommended by a professional. The red tape can be a pain but worth it if you get it. Most states also are required ... especially if the child is Title IV eligible to renew your agreement and thus the amount yearly.

I can already read your mind ... how do you know you are Title IV eligible - this is determined at the removal/placement of the child(ren) into foster care and/or at tpr and your next questions ... how do you know what your child is eligible for ... that is when you write a letter requesting consideration for eligibility for any service recommended - if his/her counselor recommends you see them 3x a week vs. 1 you put that in writing to the caseworker (with a copy to supervisor always) and that when the limited number of visits are used you will need financial assistance to continue such care ... and your requested change for re-negotiation of the subsidy amount to cover such services.

All Title IV eligible individuals receive Medicaid automatically ... a worker may indicate you can waive same if you have private coverage but don't - Medicaid in many states picks up unexpected costs (i.e. long term residential care) that your insurance will not. If the child is not Title IV ask for the Medicaid coverage ... it is always secondary vs. primary so it never hurts having it. The only inconvenience is using a medicaid doctor if yours is not but again - the money that would be paid out to non-medicaid doctor can be utilized elsewhere in your budget if you use the medicaid one.

Hope this isn't too confusing. With our first placement we took the minimum ... dh didn't want to accept "charity" ... but quickly learned it is not charity and fills the form out to every expected cent we may need for our children each and every year!

Fire questions back on what I wrote if you wish and I will try and clarify.

[jhenrie]

Sorry for the slow response, but I definitely wanted to thank you for all of the info. I have a feeling we'll learn the hard way, as I can definitely identify with your dh's feelings against "accepting charity." We've taken caseworker's "advice" thus far, & it's gotten us burned over & over. We just feel the need to be skeptial of everything right now, so I can see what you're saying! Luckily, we've already identified a fantastic counselor for the girls to go to when they get here. (My current foster kids are going there.) Anyway, thanks again!

[tybeemarie]

Check out the North American Council on Adoptable Children's website. They have a section on adoption subsidies. They also might be able to refer you to a competent adoption attorney who specializes in adoption subsidies.

Here in Illinois, the state will pay for the adoption attorney, who is supposed to review the adoption subsidy to make sure it meets the needs of the child. Sadly, not all do (one lawyer in IL is in the process of possibly being disbarred for defrauding the state for billing 30 hours A DAY of legal work while at the same time getting very paltry subsidies for her client's children). But there are competent attorneys out there, and you might consider having one look into your situation. Caseworkers do not always convey accurate information about the adoption subsidy process, which, in fairness, is somewhat technical. You might also contact your state's foster parent association for guidance. You definitely want to get all your medical documents together and whatever other documentation you have that demonstrates your child's needs. Good luck!

[tybeemarie]

Hey! I just saw my post go up with the underlining function, and they list a book and a tape on adoption subsidies! Hope they're helpful to you.