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Policy
Manual
ADOPTIONS
48-18-12
Federal Subsidy Program - Title IV-E Adoption Assistance
| Overview | The Federal Government offers reimbursement to states in
which subsidized adoptions meet certain criteria regarding the Title IV-E Adoption
Assistance Program. In order for the state to secure reimbursement under the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program, the child's eligibility for the Title IV-E Foster Care Program, the Supplemental Security Program or the AFDC relatedness criteria must be established. |
| Title IV-E Basic Eligibility Factors | The Title IV-E basic eligibility factors are compatible with
the condition(s) required for subsidized adoption payment by the Connecticut state subsidy
program. The eligibility factors are as follows: •The child cannot or should not be returned to the home of the parents. •The federal definition states the child has been determined to have special needs that make it reasonable to conclude that the child cannot be placed with adoptive parent(s) without providing adoption assistance. Factors or conditions that can contribute to a finding that a special need(s) exist include ethnic background, age, membership in a minority or sibling group, or the presence of factors such as medical conditions of physical, mental or emotional handicaps. •Except where it would be against the best interest of the child because of such factors as the existence of significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive parents while in the care of such parents as a foster child, a reasonable but unsuccessful effort has been made to place the child with appropriate adoptive parents without providing subsidy. In situations where foster parents are adopting, the federal requirements noted in the second factor above must be met. Additionally, it must be found that the child cannot be placed without a subsidy and that the child has established significant emotional ties with prospective adoptive parents while in their care as a foster child. •In determining the amount of the financial subsidy payment, the needs of the child being adopted are taken into consideration. •Adoption assistance payments are made in accordance with a written agreement between the adoptive parents and the Department. Note: The above and all other provisions of the Connecticut Subsidized Adoption Program are not in conflict with the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program. Therefore, all children who are placed in a subsidized adoption home with a plan for a monthly payment subsidy are potentially eligible for inclusion in the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program. |
| Forms to Complete | The initial DCF-550 for the most recent out-of-home placement is reviewed and DCF-552 is completed by the Social Worker and submitted to the eligibility specialist to determine if the child is Title IV-E eligible. |
Connecticut Department of Children and Families Issued: March 1, 1994
