[Nicole46203]

We are starting the foster process with the intent to adopt an older child (over age 10 - the boy we are hoping to interview for is 15). How hard is it for you/your adopted child qualify for AAP? Is it a definite for older or minority children? I am just worried as our current child is much younger so we will have to start from scratch with buying all the teen things (and I remember myself as a teen being pretty durn expensive) but really am hoping for this child to work out for us. Can anyone fill me in on the specifics of how applying and getting approved works? Any advice?
Also, has anyone interviewed for an older child? Any tips and what exactly are they looking for? THANK YOU!!

[mellaf]

We actually found out that the clothing allowance we get quarterly can be extended as part of the AAP subsidy! We had no idea. I was starting to get a little when thinking about our soon to be 13 year old AD who's in the middle of a big growth spurt.

It goes according to your income though (according to our SW, the only part of the AAP that actually does).

Find out if that is part of your aap paperwork and go from there. If you're in MA like me, it's possible. Not sure about other states.

[Becki_in_IN]

You will have no problems getting AAP. I have never heard of anyone getting a clothing allowance in IN after adoption.

I think it would be prudent to do a lot of research on issues that older kids will have. There is no amount of knowledge that will prepare you to parent a kid with attachment problems, but it is better to at least know what the possibilities are. I would do a lot of reading on Learning Disabilities, Reactive Attachment Disorder, Grief and Loss, Advocacy, Maintaining Safe Connections with Foster & Birthfamilies. I know there is more, but that's all that comes to mind.

[Nicole46203]

one more quick Q - does anyone know of any rules for age? I read somewhere that, in some states, you both have to be 15 yrs older than the child you interview for. Is that true in Indiana? I am not over 30 yet and I would hate to be excluded because I am "too young" - I already have a 5 yr old so I hope that helps (or at least doesn't hurt). Any experiences/insight for older child adoption in Indiana would be great!

[DTmama1]

Originally Posted by Nicole46203

one more quick Q - does anyone know of any rules for age? I read somewhere that, in some states, you both have to be 15 yrs older than the child you interview for. Is that true in Indiana? I am not over 30 yet and I would hate to be excluded because I am "too young" - I already have a 5 yr old so I hope that helps (or at least doesn't hurt). Any experiences/insight for older child adoption in Indiana would be great!

Nope, that is not a rule in Indiana. I am 25, my husband is 26. The kids we are adopting are 6, 9, 10, 11, and 14, so definitely not 15 years difference. They did have some hesitations about our age with the match but everything is going really well so far!

[Lori1001]

I have a question on the clothing allowance. Is this new? I just found it during some research. Then I see it is in the newest support newsletter also. Has anyone recieved this already?? Or possibly know when this is dispersed? I didnt know if they automatically sent it or if it needed to be included in the per diem "invoice"???
I have a 355 day placement now. I have not seen or heard of this until now. I did see something mentioned about the states fiscal year end?
Im sure we hadnt hit the 180 ( or was it 160) day consecutive time frame.
Thanks

[Nicole46203]

i was told they would let you know if you qualified - you would need to buy at the start of the placement. But it depends on your agency. I was also told in Jan 2010 it will be discontinued...could be wrong. Talk to your caseworker!