A New Series on the Negotiation of Adoption Assistance in Ohio, Part 3
State Data on Payment Rates
Last Spring, I posted two articles on adoption assistance payments in Ohio. The data was provided by the state’s Department of Children and Youth. The first, “Report from the Front, Adoption Assistance Data from the State,” was published on May 20, and displayed statewide adoption assistance payments from 2019 through 2023.
Monthly Adoption Assistance Payments - Statewide Averages (Means)
2019-$508.26 2020-$515.09 2021-$523.90 2022-$535.90 2023-$548.18
Monthly Adoption Assistance Payments - Statewide Medians
2019-$450 2020-$450 2021-$475 2022-$500 2023-$500
The second article, “Another Dispatch from the Front, Adoption Assistance Agreements Initiated in 2023, presented a breakdown of adoption assistance for the first year state funds covered the non-federal portion of each adoption assistance payment up to $350, instead of $250.
According to the state, there were 1,471 new adoption assistance agreements in 2023. Of those,
78 (5%) called for payments over $1,162. NOTE: $1,162 is referred to as the “state maximum” adoption assistance payment. In reality, in accordance with federal law, the child’s foster care payment rate is the maximum.
1,166 (79%) called for payments over $350 per month
148 (10%) called for payments of $350 per month
123 (8%) called for payments under $350 per month
34 (2%) called for deferred payments ($0) for “at risk” infants. $0 until a child developed recognizable special needs.
$60 per month was the lowest adoption assistance payment initiated in 2023, not counting the $0 “at risk” agreements.
$3,000 per month was the highest adoption assistance payment initiated in 2023.
Comments
There is no reason for an adoption assistance agreement below $350 per month. The county pays nothing until after an adoption assistance payment is over $350 per month. Beyond $350, the county bears 35.40% of the cost. Each investment of $100 in an adoptive family, costs the county agency $35.40.
An adoption assistance payment of $350 represents a significant drop in support from most children’s foster care payments. Given this trend and the cost of caring for a child, the fact that 18% of the adoption assistance agreements completed in 2023 called for payments of $350 or less is disappointing.
The limited number of adoptive families with whom I have had direct contact were often able to negotiate adoption assistance agreements well over the 2023 median of $500 per month. But widespread variations among counties, children’s levels of care and the families’ circumstances make generalizations virtually impossible.
Traditionally, adoption assistance payments have averaged around 50% of foster care payments. I do not know how much the gap may be closing because I have been unable to get the necessary data. My strong impression is that informed parents who actively engage the negotiation process and mediation are more effective in arriving at better adoption assistance agreements for their children.
What do I mean by “better” adoption assistance agreement? The goal of negotiating adoption assistance is not to secure the highest payment possible. Rather, the goal is to obtain a supplemental payment that is commensurate with the child’s needs and the family’s circumstances. (See Part 1 of this series).
As we proceed, I will suggest some practical steps to engaging county agencies in the negotiation process. The suggestions will be based entirely on my experience with the journeys of individual adoptive families. Over the years, they have helped a number of individual adoptive parents to function as more effective advocates for their children.
Thank You