Resources for Adoptive Families

WHAT IS ADOPTION ASSISTANCE?

Families who have the willingness and dedication to adopting eligible special needs children through the Statewide Adoption Network (SWAN), are provided with financial help and other benefits through the Adoption Assistance Program (also known as adoption subsidies).

The Adoption Assistance Program recognizes that adoptive families that commit to adopting special needs children may encounter challenges in the surrounding areas of medical, psychological or educational. Therefore, there is a need for some assistance to take on the extra costs associated with adopting and raising these children.

WHO FUNDS ADOPTION ASSISTANCE?

The federal, state and county governments share in the costs associated with adoption assistance. The funding comes from the following areas:
1. Title IV-E of the Social Security Act
2. State needs - based funding
3. County Revenues

WHO DETERMINES A CHILD'S ELIGIBILTY?

Each county agency of children and youth services determines a child's eligibility. They first make an effort to identify a family willing to adopt children without assistance. If that does not happen, the county agency will negotiate an adoption assistance agreement.

Once a child becomes adopted, all adoption assistance checks are issued to the adoptive families by the county agency of children and youth services. (continued)