Adoption Assistance (93.659)

 

Program

93.659 Adoption Assistance

 

Federal Agency

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

 

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 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

Federal subsidy may be used only in support of the adoption of children who meet the definition of special needs as specified in the Law. All parents adopting special needs children are eligible for the nonrecurring cost of adoption. States may receive Federal financial participation only if State plans have been approved by the Secretary as meeting the requirements of the Law.

 

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico may submit a Sate plan for program participation.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Beneficiaries are children who: (1) Are AFDC (as in effect July 16, 1996), IV-E-FC, or SSI recipients or are eligible for AFDC (as in effect July 16, 1996), IV-E-FC, and SSI; and (2) have been determined by the State 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 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 and local law or final adoption decree to age 18 (21 if the State 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's 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 must submit an application for approval by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR, Part 74.

 

Application and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

Consultation to States is available from Regional Offices of ACF, DHHS. The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure

Applications (State 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. Final decisions and awards are made by the Headquarters Office. Letter-of-credit is issued by the HHS Payment Management System (PMS).

Deadlines

Estimates are due July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30.

 

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Appeals

Refer to 45 CFR, Part 16.

Renewals

Not applicable.

 

Assistance Considerations

Formula and 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 as adoption assistance, plus 75 percent of training and 50 percent of other administrative costs.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Federal financial participation is available to a State operating under an approved application.

 

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Expenditure reports are required 30 days after the end of the quarter; other reports as required by the Secretary.

Audits

Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74.

Records

States 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

Adoption subsidy payments are made to eligible children with special needs who are adopted. In fiscal year 2002, this program assisted an average of 175,937 children per month. It is estimated that this program will assist an average of 193,428 children per month in fiscal year 2003 and 213,639 children per month in fiscal year 2004. There were 52 grants made in fiscal year 2002. It is estimated that 52 grants will be made in fiscal year 2003 and 52 grants in fiscal year 2004.

 

Financial Information

Account Identification

75-1545-0-1-506.

Obligations

(Grants) FY 02 $1,197,600,000; FY 03 est $1,426,600,000; and FY 04 est $1,584,500,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

$179,437 to $179,190,570; $23,030,769.

 

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; 93.603, Adoption Incentive Payments.

 

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

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

Jennifer Butler Hembree, Children's Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 260- 7684. FTS is not available.

Web Site Address

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

 

Examples of Funded Projects

Not applicable.

 

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Criteria are not available.