Adoptive Family Information (benefits, eligibility, responsibilities, etc.)
Who is eligible to adopt? ANSWER
Are grandparents given priority in the adoption process? ANSWER
What benefits are available to families who adopt “special needs” child(ren)? ANSWER
Does the state offer any educational assistance to families and children who have been adopted through the state? ANSWER
Are there any tax benefits associated with adopting a special needs child through the state? ANSWER
Do adopted children quality for college tuition benefits? ANSWER
If the child’s current caregiver is the adoptive placement of choice, is the Department, or its Authorized Agent, obligated to explore other placements who may be willing to adopt without subsidy? ANSWER
Case Management
What is the minimum time requirement for supervision of a child after the “official” placement in an adoptive home? ANSWER
When does an adoptive applicant need to be staffed through ARC (Adoption Review Committee)? ANSWER
Within how many days of the TPR disposition must the adoption case plan be filed? ANSWER
What is the process for adoptive placement of a Native American child? ANSWER
Is it necessary for the child to consent to an adoption? ANSWER
How many references are needed with an adoptive home study? ANSWER
How current does the abuse hotline check need to be when placing a child in an adoptive home? ANSWER
How current does the state and local background checks have to be when placing a child in an adoptive placement? ANSWER
How current does the federal background checks have to be when placing a child in an adoptive placement? ANSWER
When completing an adoptive home study is there a requirement that the agency conduct an on-site assessment of the home is a part of the approval process? ANSWER
Confidentiality/Information-Sharing
Should the adoptive family be provided with all information regarding the birth family? ANSWER
How can adopted children, once they reach majority, find out information about their biological families? ANSWER
Definitions
For the purpose of adoption, what is a “Special needs child?” ANSWER
What is a Maintenance Adoption Subsidy? ANSWER
What is a Medical Adoption Subsidy? ANSWER
Financial Information
Who is responsible for expenses associated with the cost of an adoption? ANSWER
For children who have been adopted and are turning 18, when should their maintence adoption assistance end? ANSWER