When families choose to adopt, they often do so from foster care. When adopting through foster care there are usually little to no fees incurred unless the family chooses to hire a private agency. The adoption is oftentimes funded by the state.
Adopting from Foster Care
If you are interested in adopting, adopting from foster care can be a great way to go about that. Currently, there are over 500,000 children and teens waiting for a family. These children didn’t choose to be there. Many of these children have entered into the system because of bad parenting decisions. States often work with the birth parents and try to get the children back home, but about half of the children are put up for adoption.
These children have experienced trauma in their lives and they deserve a loving family. The sad fact is that many of them will spend their whole lives in foster care and will never know what it is like to be a part of a caring family. They will be shuffled from home to home and never learn the importance of stability.
Why Is Adoption Assistance Important?
Many foster children are waiting to be adopted. Many of these children have developmental, physical, and mental health needs. Studies have shown that these children have a higher risk of having mental health difficulties, learning disabilities, health problems, physical impairments, and developmental delays.
Adoption subsidies, also known as adoption assistance, help ease financial burdens that would prevent the family from adopting. It is essential for many adoptive parents to receive this assistance to meet the child’s needs. Adoption subsidies provide the support needed for medical care and counseling, along with other types of support that are required to raise children with special needs.
Eligibility Requirements
To receive adoption assistance, the child must meet the criteria of being “special needs.” Benefits and requirements vary from state to state. To find out if your child is eligible to receive assistance, you must contact your local adoption assistance specialist. They will be able to determine eligibility.
Adoption Assistance Benefits
Adoption subsidies can include many types of benefits. These benefits can vary per state.
- Monthly Payments: Adoption assistance monthly payments vary depending on location, the child’s needs and age.
- Medical Coverage: Medical coverage often covers doctor visits, lab work, medication, hospitalization, dental services, physical therapy, occupational therapy, mental health services and EPSDT services.
- Reimbursement: Some non-recurring adoption expenses may be reimbursed.
- College Tuition Assistance: Many states offer state-based tuition assistance programs. Eligibility requirements can vary depending on the state. If a child is adopted from foster care, they can qualify for free tuition to any community college or university in their home state.
- Tax Credit: Depending on the state in which you live, you may be eligible for a State Adoption Tax Credit.
Learn More About Assistance in Your State
Most children that are adopted from foster care are eligible for adoption assistance. To find out more about the reasonable subsidies that are available in your area check with your local adoption assistance agency.
