[davisgaskin]

I was wondering which subsidy has Texas cancelled adoption or foster? I thought that they couldn't cancel it if they had contracts with people. Any info would be nice.

[t2622b]

I am not sure were you got that info. I am negotiating right now on our subsidy for adoption in Texas.

[stepforone]

I THINK you are referring to the adoption subsidy. They ran out of money last year and weren't giving it to anyone. Right now they are back up and running with it (until they run out again). Our foster subsidy went up a few months ago to $20/day from $17 (I think). It was supposed to go down so it surprised most of us when it went up.

t2622b - what is exactly involved in the process of negotiation?

[saucey95]

We are still waiting to even get started on negotiating or anything like that. We got our boys nearly 3 weeks ago and still nothing. I've called our caseworker and she didn't get back to me so I called again and she's in training all week. I called her cell phone to see what we needed to do on our end so we could help the process along but she hasn't called back yet on that either. I feel a little lost right now. I downloaded info on WIC to get started on that becuase I don't know if we go through the CPS office or do it on our own. I also downloaded info from the NACAC website on Texas subsidy rights etc. (www.nacac.org)
Anyway, we'll see what happens. It's amazed us at how expensive it is to take two kids at once (13 mo and 24 mo).
Well, time to do laundry...again....LOL!!

[t2622b]

I am not sure of all the details of subsidy. But our case worker said our little boy fit the criteria for subsidy but that the amount would be negotiated with us.
We have had our son sinde the end of November and have yet to get a call from the subsidy lady.
They did say however that it took about a month and that we would get paid retro from the time he was placed in our home.

I almost feel bad taking the money because he is such a blessing., but I am quitting my job so that I can stay home with him and his medical problems make it necessary for us to need the money.

Good luck!!
Ps.
We are a adopting a beautiful 2 year old little boy out of the San Antonio district that we responded to off of the TARE website.
Miracles do happen.

[stepforone]

saucey95 - if you are fostering these boys right now you should get $1200/month (level 1) for the pair. They usually wait a month before your check comes. If you sign up for direct deposit it SHOULD be in your bank around the 8th of the month. WIC is signed up for by you. You will need the children's Medicaid form and their signed release to you. Call and make an apt. with the WIC office near you and they will tell you what to bring. You will need to find out if your county has any type of allowance for new placements (or even an monthly allowance for the kids). If you can't get any of the required forms from you cw and no other information from them I would try going another level up and trying their supervisor. Keep going until you get an answer. Call your FAD worker and see what they say.

Good luck.

[t2622b]

Keep pressing your case worker. They are sooo busy and they don't mean to put you off but they sometimes do. We have lucked out and got a very good case worker who responds quickly to us. Just keep bugging them don't worry that they might think you are persisitent because you need to be.
Good Luck!!!
Are you adopting those boys are fostering?????

Either way your still an angel for doing sooo......

[nibbuccms]

I've been a legal risk foster/adoptive parent in Texas for 10 years and here's what I know....

Texas has not cancelled or reduced foster care payments. They are currently at I believe $20.00 a day. They have however begun to run out of money for the adoption subsidies. The changed the cap amount you can get as an adoption subsidy from $521 to a cap of $400. They are also scutinizing every application. Please know that they cannot take into account the financial status of the adoptive parents. The need is supposed to be based on the financial status of the child when placed into care. What I have found after completing four adoptions, is that now you've got to have tons of documentation, and usually will have to go into mediation if you want to be successful in getting a monitary adoption subsidy. Most times only continued Medicaid is offered. If you really want great information I would contact NACAC, National American Council on Adoptable Children. They're great about helping get information to you in a timely manner.

Another FYI...Texas has also passed a law that states that adopted children who start out in state custody and have an adoption assistance agreement in effect at the time of the adoption can attend any state college or university for free.

Hope this helps.

[Again!]

I had a sibling group of 3 placed in June, and I just talked on the phone with the subsidy negotiator. They did talk tough, but I remained firm, and we agreed on a bit over 1200/month for all three. I did fill out an extensive form documenting monthly expenses etc. These are pretty average kids, diagnosed with a few common problems (ADD, receptive/expressive language disorder). One was on 3 meds for behavior (but is now off and doing great behaviorally at school). No mediation etc was necessary. Just my experience. FYI, all texas kids eligible for subsidy now also recieve free college tuition. Big relief for me as I had no idea how I was going to pay for 5!

[t2622b]

I am glad for the info. However I was told that our financial status is considered , as a matter of fact I had to fill out a very extensive financial report . I was told that my finances had to atleast cover the childs basic needs but anything beyond that could be considered toward the amount they would give for subsidy. This is of course if the child qualifies for the subsidy.
I was also told that if makes a big difference if the household that the child is placed is the best possible household. Ex. Our little boy had part of his foot amputated and my husband works for a prosthetic company so we seem to be a very good fit for him.

Not to mention the fact that we love him dearly.

We also have to make a 2hour trip a couple of times a month to keep him in contact with his siblings so that may be the difference in some subsidy cases as well.

Hope this helps.