Another Dispatch from the Front. Adoption Assistance Agreements Initiated in 2023.
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth shared 2023 statewide data with the work group on “Stabilizing and Standardizing” the Negotiation of Adoption Assistance, before the group went on hiatus following its May meeting.
2023 marked the year in which the state raised its financial participation in the IV-E Adoption Assistance program by $100 per child, per month. In 2023, federal dollars (minus enhanced Covid-related funding) covered 63.58% of all adoption assistance payments up to the child’s foster care payment rate. State funds began covering the non-federal portion of each adoption assistance payment up to $350 instead of $250, which was formerly the case. With regard to the financial responsibility of Ohio Counties,
Prior to January 1, 2023: The county paid the non-federal portion of adoption assistance, at the point the payment exceeded $250.
After January 1, 2023 - The county pays the non-federal portion of an adoption assistance payment after it exceeds $350.
The Data - Federal Adoption Assistance Calendar Year 2023
According to the state, there were 1,471 new adoption assistance agreements in 2023. Of those,
78 (5%) called for payments over $1,162
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.
A Few Thoughts
It is nice to know that 1,166 or 79% of new adoption assistance agreements completed in 2023 called for monthly payments over $350. Unfortunately, there was no further breakdown of the relative number of adoption assistance completed in 2023 that called for payment amounts over $400, $500, $600, $700, $800, $900 and $1,000 per month. As a consequence, we cannot draw any firm conclusions about the impact of the state’s increase in financial participation in adoption assistance payments.
78 or 5% of the adoption assistance agreements called for payments of over $1,162 per month. It should be noted that $1,162 per month does not function as a state maximum. The child’s foster care payment rate is the maximum.
There is no obvious reason why 123 or 8% of adoption assistance agreements should have been completed for under $350 a month. What possible justification could an agency have for withholding federal and state dollars to support a special needs adoption? $350 is hardly a large sum.
The 148 or 10% of adoption assistance agreements for $350 a month raises questions about whether they were arrived at through good faith consideration of the child’s needs and family circumstances. The number of 2023 adoption assistance agreements in which the county agency has zero financial responsibility does not appear to be a coincidence.