The adoption support program application process can can be confusing.  Jan Lammers worked for the Department of Health and Social Services as a financial coordinator with the Adoption Support Program for 17 years.  As an adoption consultant for Mark Iverson, Jan Lammers is available to assist families with questions regarding Adoption Support.

Free Consultation:

If you have questions regarding adoption support give Jan Lammers  a call at 509-828-0446 or via email at janetlammers@gmail.com or give Mark Iverson a call at 509-462-3678 or 800-338-8273 or via email at mark@adoptionlegalservices.org

Region 1 DCFS Adoption Support Program: Frequently Asked Questions:

The following is a copy of the text of a brochure produced and distributed by Region 1 DCFS Adoption Support Program in Washington State.  The brochure was created to answer frequently asked questions by foster parents.

• What is the Adoption Support Program?
  The adoption support program encourages the adoption of special needs children in the legal custody of public or private nonprofit child placing agencies that would not be adopted if support for the child were not available. The adoption support subsidy payment is intended to remove barriers to adoption by assisting the family in meeting some of the expenses incurred by the family when adopting a special needs child.  Unlike the foster care payment, this payment does not include compensation to the adoptive family for their time caring for the adopted child.
   
• Eligibility for Adoption Support is dependent upon the child’s special circumstances.
  The adoptive family’s income is not used to determine the child’s initial eligibility for the program.   However, once eligibility has been established the adoptive family’s income and resources are considered in determining the type and amount of support needed to eliminate the barriers to adoption. Existing community services and resources must be utilized first to meet the child’s special needs and are considered when negotiating an Adoption Support Contract. (e.g.: working connections child care, family medical insurance, public schools, services from Developmental Disabilities, Social Security benefits, Supplemental Security Income, etc.).
   
• If the adoptive parents are both employed and the cost of childcare creates a barrier to adoption will the adoption support program pay for child care expenses?
  When families request help with childcare expenses these requests can be taken into consideration as part of the negotiation process once the adoptive family has considered other community resources.
   
• Once the adoption finalizes should I contact Social Security to initiate a change of name on the social security card?
  Yes, if the child’s name changes once the adoption finalizes then the social security card should reflect the correct name although it will have the same number.  You may contact your local Social Security office to initiate this change once you have the new birth certificate and signed adoption decree.  Once the adoptive parent receives a copy of the new social security card a copy needs to be sent to the Adoption Support Program
   
• If an application was not submitted for adoption support prior to finalization, is there an opportunity for post-adoption services?
  Federal and state laws require that a prospective adoptive parent must apply for adoption support prior to adopting a special needs child.  Both the state and federal governments recognize that in some situations extenuating circumstances may have prevented the child from being placed on the adoption support program prior to the adoption finalization.  This issue is subject to funding.  To determine if reconsideration is available, contact your program manager for further information.
   
• Nonrecurring Adoption Costs:
  These are a one-time expense incurred by the adoptive parent to finalize the adoption of an eligible child.  This amount is agreed to prior to adoption finalization.  Maximum reimbursement must not exceed $1500.00 per child.  Reimbursement for payment will not be made until adoption finalization and a receipt is received from the attorney or adoptive parent. Once all receipts have been received reimbursement for actual expenses incurred will be made to the adoptive parent. 
   
• Training for Adoptive Parent:
  Must be pre-authorized and is limited to one training or conference per year and can not exceed $500.00.  Travel and rate restrictions, which apply to state employees, also apply to adoptive parent.
   
• What happens if my child should require out of home placement after adoption finalization?
  In order for a child to be placed back into the foster care system, there must be abuse and neglect issues in the adopted home, or the risk to others in the adoptive home from the adopted child. The Adoption Support program is not responsible for the child’s placement or for the payment of any out of home placement.  The adoption support program manager may assist the adoptive parent with accessing resources, consultation and referrals to resources for the child but will not be responsible for the child's placement or for the payment of the residential service.
   
• What are the consequences if the adoptive child is placed in foster care, group care, or residential treatment?
  Is the adoptive parent responsible for any portion of the cost of the placement? If the child is in an active status with Washington State’s Adoption Support Program and the department places the child in care, the department is mandated to make a referral to support enforcement. If the goal is to return the child to the adoptive home then a claim for good cause may exist for not pursuing collection of support payments. The Office of Support Enforcement makes this decision.  The department must review the agreement and discontinue any cash payments to the adoptive parent during the child’s out-of-home placement unless the adoptive parent (s) documents continuing expenses directly related to the child’s needs.
   
• In the case of married adoptive couples:
  If the marriage later dissolves or the adoptive parent dies will the child continue to be eligible for adoption support? If the marriage of adoptive parents dissolves the child would continue to be eligible. If the adoptive parent dies and the child is Title IV-E eligible they could be eligible in a subsequent adoption.  Contact your program manager for details.
   
• If we choose not to accept subsidies (cash payments) at the time of the initial negotiation, may a request be made any time after finalization?
  Yes.  The Adoption Support Program Manager will consider a written request for change to the agreement at any time.  Subsidy amounts will be negotiated and based upon the child’s special needs and family circumstances after a written request is received and a review of the child’s needs and family circumstances are reviewed. 
   
• May we request an increase in monthly cash payments after the Initial Agreement has been signed?
  Yes.  Increases are based on the child’s special needs and/or changes in the family’s circumstances.  All requests must be in writing.  Documentation to substantiate the changes is required, (i.e. medical records, school records, counseling evaluations, etc). The family will be required to submit a current 1040-tax return along with the written request.
   
• Who do we contact if we move to a new address?
  Contact your Program Consultant. In addition if you are a licensed provider notify your licenser in order to insure interrupted services. The Department has a “Do Not Forward” policy for both warrants and medical coupons. It is the Program Consultant’s responsibility to notify the appropriate parties.
   
• Will our Agreement become invalid if we move out of the State of Washington?
  When a child, receiving Adoption Support from the state of Washington, moves outside Washington, the agreement and services remain in effect.  Please contact your program consultant for more information about Medicaid services.
   
• What happens to our Agreement if our child moves out of the family home?
  It is the family’s responsibility to notify the program consultant if the child is no longer living in the family home.  Monthly maintenance may be discontinued depending on the circumstances.  Contact your program manager to avoid any over payments.
   
• Can our child continue to be eligible for the Adoption Support program beyond age 18?
  Children who have reached the age of 18 may continue to be eligible for services if the child is under the age of 21 and meets one of the following conditions; (1) the child is attending high school full time in a curriculum leading to a high school diploma, or (2) the child is attending an instructional program leading to a GED. A statement from the school verifying the child’s attendance and anticipated graduation date is also required.
   
• Medical Coupons Coverage:
  Your child is eligible for Medicaid services from the date of adoption finalization.  Medicaid services are limited to the services included in the state’s Medicaid plan.  For questions about services covered by Medicaid, please call 1-800-562-5682.
   
• The Medical Assistance Program will issue your child’s coupon to you.
  If you do not receive your coupon at the end of each month (and have not had a change of address), please call Medical Assistance at 1-800-562-5682.
   

For children who are eligible for the program, benefits are available in the following areas:

• Medical Assistance:
  all children on the program are eligible for services through the state’s Medicaid Program. For families who have no private health insurance, Medicaid will cover medical and dental at the state’s Medicaid rate.    If the child is covered by the parent’s private insurance, Medicaid may be billed for any remaining cost up to the maximum allowable Medicaid rate.
   
• Pre-authorized Counseling:
  families may choose counseling services available through the state’s mental health system without pre-authorization from the program manager.  This service is covered by the Medicaid system.  All other counseling services or evaluations require a pre-authorization.  The adoptive parent must obtain written authorization from the department’s adoption support program before the service is rendered.  The program will pay at the adoption support reimbursement rate as set by the legislators minus any payment made by the primary (and other) insurer.
   
• Monthly Subsidy Payments:
  Monthly subsidy payments are not foster care payments. When families request subsidy payments the department and the adoptive parents will jointly determine the level of subsidy payments needed to assist with some of the out of pocket expenses directly related to the child’s identified special needs. Consideration for this negotiation may include family circumstances the child’s physical, mental, developmental, cognitive and emotional condition as well as the adoptive family’s income and community resources available to meet the child’s needs.  Under no circumstances may the amount of the basis adoption support subsidy payment exceed the current foster care payment minus 10 percent of that rate.
   
• Who staffs the Adoption Support Program in Region 1?
   
• Adoptive families in Spokane or Lincoln County with last names beginning s with A-M or living in Stevens, Ferry, Whitman, Asotin, Garfield or Pend Oreille County:

Pamela Copeland, Region 1
Adoption Support Program Consultant
1313 North Atlantic Suite 2000
Spokane, Washington 999201
(509) 363-3379  FAX: 
(509) 363-4801
e-mail:   copa300@dshs.wa.gov
 

• Adoptive families in Spokane or Lincoln County with last names beginning with N-Z  or living in Chelan, Grant, Adams, Douglas or Okanogan County:

Kira Mitchell, Region 1  
Adoption Support Program Consultant
1313 North Atlantic Suite 2000  
Spokane, Washington 99920
(509) 363-4628 FAX:  (509) 363-4801             
e-mail:  akir1300@dshs.wa.gov

FREE CONSULTATION

If you have questions regarding adoption support give Jan Lammers  a call at 509-828-0446 or via email at janetlammers@gmail.com or contact us at  509-462-3678 or 800-338-8273 or via email at mark@adoptionlegalservices.org