[naca]

Our ICPC w/ Texas has finally reached the adoption worker & since everything is a "go" we are starting to fill out all the paperwork and have already planned our trip out to meet our newest little one later this month!!

One of the things sent to us is an Adoption Assistance Worksheet.. It boggles me.. I haven't read her casefile yet so I dont think I really know any special needs.. Does anyone have experience filling these out? I'm not sure exactly what to put ect.. We dont do these here (Indiana) LOL!

Thanks

[fostermomintx]

I just filled that out for my 2 kids that are subsidy eligible (sibling group) that I'm preparing to adopt. It is difficult to fill out in that I just didn't know what to put down. I just put that I needed help with daycare (I'm single), that I wanted them to be kept on Medicaid. The State of Texas also offers reimbursement for adoption expenses. The State also did a Developmental Assessment with a psychologist and the person who did the report on my kids kind of indicated that they might need help in the future (both were drug exposed) which would leave the door open to renegotiate the subsidy in the future but they are developmentally okay at this point.

I've been through this with my oldest son a few years ago and even though they say it is a negotiated amount, they usually know what they are going to give you. In Texas, the amount is between $0 and $450 a month until they are 18.

[naca]

Thanks I guess I"m having a hard time b/c I haven't met her yet nor have I received her casefile.. So I really dont know what issues she might have!:

[fostermomintx]

The State should give you an assessment (developmental or psychological) for the child. And that usually lets you know if you will need help with the child now or in the future. It should be part of the case file.

[fostermomintx]

They can't proceed with the adoption unless the subsidy paperwork is turned in. I was dragging my feet on this because it's hard to know what to put down. But once the paperwork is submitted someone will call and negotiate over the phone with you so you have time to express your concerns (if you have any)...

[bethy724]

The child should already be "labeled" basic, special needs, theraputic ect. W/out her file her cw should know her "classification" I would fill out the paperwork assuming you have to pay for her daycare, health insurance ect unless she has already been classified special needs which would make her eligable for Medicaid. I hate to write it but even if you read her file & it's obvious to anybody she would be special needs if it's not dertermined to be that by the state it doesn't matter what you read in the file.

Maybe you can ask if she's in a basic or theraputic home - that will tell you a lot.

[DreamingAzure]

They have you filling out subsity paperwork and you still haven't met the child or read their file? Something doesn't sound real kosher...You shouldn't be filling out that paperwork until you have had full disclosure on the child.

[bethy724]

Great point Dreaming-I think the child has to live with you at least 6 months before starting the adoption paperwork - at this point (not even meeting the child) I would think you just need to sign the "intent to adopt" placement paperwork - why is the sw so ahead of the game when you can't adopt this child w/ out the waiting period in the first place? I filled out my subsidy paperwork months after signing the placement paper w/ intent to adopt.

[2Mig]

We are out-of-state and adopting a sibling group from Texas as well. We are waiting for our ICPC approval, but we did have to turn in our adoption assistance paperwork, a couple of days after receiving the full disclosure. I remember filling ours out thinking I really didn't know exactly what to put. It has been a few weeks now since we've turned that paperwork in and are supposed to hear from someone this week on the "negotiated" amount. Whether we end up getting any assistance or not, I found filling the paperwork out as a very beneficial exercise to help determine the costs of raising, in my case, a sibling group of four.

[naca]

We are out of state as well. So when she moves here she will be an adoptive placement and will get subsidy right away vs foster per diem. The adoption worker is sending out the casefile but it will take a week or two to get her.. From what I've been told, she qualifies for subisdy b/c she is being reunited w/ a sibling not b/c of special needs...

2Mig- Good luck !! You are completely right! I got some ideas of things to put from a few other ppl & the adoption worker and wowsers- it really opens your eyes doesn't it?!

*edited to say *
I agree it seems a little backwards to be doing it this way but we have had to go thru the ICPC and all that junk without ever meeting her.. BUT this is also my daughter (placed w/ us @ birth- adopted at 17mo)'s full biological sister.. So it's basically a given that we're going to adopt her. We've been waiting over a year for termination & appeals and ICPC to get done

[2Mig]

Naca:

Yes, it really does open your eyes. Ironically, the largest number ended up being a category that I wasn't even going to fill out. The sending state's coordinator told me speciifcally to NOT leave it blank. I think the category was routine maintenance.....clothes, food, extracurricular activities, etc.