Adoption Assistance (93.659)

Program

93.659 Adoption Assistance

Federal Agency

Agency: Department of Health and Human Services
Office: Administration For Children And Families

Authorization

Social Security Act, Title IV-E, Section 470 et seq; as amended.

Program Number

93.659

Last Known Status

Active

Objectives

To provide Federal Financial Participation (FFP) to States, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations and Tribal consortia (Tribes) in adoption subsidy costs for the adoption of children with special needs and who meet certain eligibility tests.

Types of Assistance

FORMULA GRANTS

Uses and Use Restrictions

All parents adopting special needs children are eligible for the nonrecurring cost of adoption. Federal subsidy may be used only in support of the adoption of children who meet the definition of special needs as specified in the Statute. States and Tribes may receive Federal Financial Participation (FFP) only if title IV-E plans have been approved by the Secretary.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

Funds are available to States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and to Tribes with approved title IV-E plans.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Beneficiaries are children who are: (1)in Title IV-E foster care, eligible for AFDC (as in effect July 16, 1996) although this requirement is being phased out between 2010 and 2018, SSI recipients, the minor child living with his/her parent who is in title IV-E Foster Care; or was previously adopted and eligible for adoption assistance but the adoption dissolved or the adoptive parents died and (2) have been determined by the State or Tribe to be special needs, e.g., a special factor or condition which makes it reasonable to conclude that they cannot be adopted without adoption assistance; a State or Tribe determination that the child cannot or should not be returned home; and a reasonable effort has been made to place the child without providing financial or medical assistance. FFP is available from the time of placement for adoption in accordance with State, local or Tribal law or final adoption decree to age 18 (21 if the State/Tribe finds that a disability means aid should continue) as long as the parent supports the child. No child adopted prior to the approval of the State or Tribal Title IV-E plan is eligible for FFP. No means test applies to adopting parents, but the amount of subsidy is agreed to by agency and parents and may be readjusted by joint agreement.

Credentials/Documentation

The State or Tribe must submit an application for approval by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR Part 92. OMB Circular No. A-87 applies to this program.

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Consultation to States and Tribes is available from Regional Offices of ACF, HHS. The standard application forms as furnished by HHS must be used for this program. Environmental impact information is not required for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

OMB Circular No. A-102 applies to this program. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Applications (title IV-E plans) are submitted to the Regional Office (RO) of ACF.

Award Procedure

Quarterly awards are made on the basis of estimated expenditures, which are later revised to include only actual allowable expenditures. Estimates are due July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30. Final decisions and awards are made by the Headquarters Office. Letter-of-credit is issued by the HHS Payment Management System (PMS).

Deadlines

Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

From 30 to 60 days. HHS will approve/disapprove applications (State plans or amendments to them) within 45 days of receipt by HHS.

Appeals

Refer to 45 CFR Part 16.

Renewals

Not Applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Statutory Formula:

Matching Requirements: FFP for adoption assistance is equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act) of the total expended for adoption assistance payments, 75 percent of training costs, and 50 percent of other administrative costs.

This program does not have MOE requirements.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Federal financial participation is available to a State or Tribe operating under an approved title IV-E plan. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: quarterly.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Other reports due as required by the Secretary. PSC-272. Progress reports are not applicable. Quarterly expenditure reports are required 30 days after the end of the quarter. Performance monitoring is not applicable.

Audits

In accordance with the provisions of OMB Circular No. A-133 (Revised, June 27, 2003), "Audits of States, Local Governments, and Non-Profit Organizations," nonfederal entities that expend financial assistance of $500,000 or more in Federal awards will have a single or a program-specific audit conducted for that year. Nonfederal entities that expend less than $500,000 a year in Federal awards are exempt from Federal audit requirements for that year, except as noted in Circular No. A-133. Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 92.

Records

States and Tribes must maintain records necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the program, including records of applications, determinations of eligibility, allocated and direct administrative and training costs, and the provision of financial assistance.

Program Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 2008: There were 51 grants made in fiscal year 2008 with an estimated average of 399,000 children per month assisted. Fiscal Year 2009: It is estimated that 52 grants will be made in fiscal year 2009 with an estimated average of 412,000 children per month assisted. Fiscal Year 2010: It is estimated that 52 grants will be made in fiscal year 2010 with an estimated 426,000 children per month assisted.

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1545-0-1-609 - ARRA grants: 75-1546-0-1-609.

Obligations

(Formula Grants) FY 08 $2,037,695,794; FY 09 est $2,371,000,000; FY 10 est $2,462,000,000 - ARRA grants in FY 09 are estimated to be $210,000,000. ARRA grants in FY 2010 are estimated to be $206,000,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

FY 08: $750,411 to $372,212,637 with an average of $39,954,820.

Regulations, Guidelines and Literature

Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; 45 CFR 1355-1356.

Related Programs

93.556 Promoting Safe and Stable Families; 93.645 Child Welfare Services_State Grants; 93.652 Adoption Opportunities; 93.658 Foster Care_Title IV-E

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

See Regional Agency Offices. Contact the Regional Administrator, ACF, HHS in the appropriate Regional Office. (See Appendix IV of the Catalog for a list of addresses of the Regional Offices.).

Headquarters Office

Eileen West 1250 Maryland Ave, SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20024 Phone: 202-205-8438

Web Site Address

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb.

Examples of Funded Projects

Not Applicable.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not Applicable.