Medical and Dental
All children participating in the Adoption Support Program are eligible to receive medical and dental services through Medicaid.
- Families must first access existing private insurance.
- Medicaid can then be billed for any remaining costs up to the maximum allowable Medicaid rate.
Pre-Authorized Counseling
Before initiating counseling services, authorization for the services must be requested by phone or in writing from your Adoption Support Consultant. Pre-authorized counseling supports include – individual counseling for the child, parental counseling, Evidence Based Practices to include Promoting First Relationships, Incredible Years, Parent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT), Functional Family Therapy (FFT), Positive Parenting Program (PPP), and Family Preservation Services (FPS).
- You may use child's Medicaid card or counseling service of choice.
- Family's primary insurance must be applied first.
- Paid at Adoption Support rates.
Nonrecurring Adoption Costs
Nonrecurring costs are a onetime expense incurred by the adoptive parent to finalize the adoption of an eligible child.
- An application and agreement are made prior to the adoption being finalized. This agreement may be part of an Adoption Support agreement or it may be a separate agreement specific to the reimbursement for nonrecurring adoption finalization costs.
- Maximum reimbursable costs are $1500.00 per child.
- Payment is made after the adoption is finalized.
Types of costs that may be reimbursable:
- Court costs directly related to finalizing an adoption.
- Reasonable and necessary adoption fees.
- Reasonable and necessary attorney fees directly related to finalizing an adoption.
- Costs associated with an adoption home study.
Training
- Training opportunities are available through the Apple Health Coordinated Care and the Alliance for Child Welfare Excellence. Contact your adoption support program consultant for details.
Monthly Cash Payment
A cash payment provided to adoptive families to help cover some of the expenses involved in raising a child with special needs. The payment is:
- Based on the child's needs and family's circumstances.
- Jointly determined through the negotiation between the family and DCYF.
- For adoptions after Oct. 19, 2017, the monthly cash payment must not exceed the following amounts based on the age of the child at adoption:
- For a child 0 up to age 5 years, the legislative cap is 80% of the foster care maintenance payment
- For a child age 5 up to age 10 years, the legislative cap is 90% of the foster care maintenance payment
- For youth age 10 up to age 18 years, the legislative cap is 95% of the foster care maintenance payment