Questions and Answers
What can I do if a county agency refuses to negotiate an adoption assistance agreement from the outset?
An agency might insist on a minimum amount of adoption assistance and refuse to consider any further information or documentation submitted by the parents. In at least one instance, an agency proposed a monthly payment of $350 and then arbitrarily lowered it when the parents persisted with an attempt to negotiate a more generous agreement.
Parents may elect to document their attempt to negotiate an adoption assistance agreement and then request mediation, if the agency refuses to budge or threatens retaliation. Parents may also choose to file a complaint with the Ohio Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office at 1-877-649=6884. The Office of Ombudsmen will contact the county agency. In situations where an agency’s conduct is out of compliance with federal or state policy, an inquiry by an state entity puts the county on notice that an outside party is aware of a possible problem in the operation of the adoption assistance program. Sometimes outside scrutiny is sufficient to induce the agency to change its behavior.
Parents still have the option of going to mediation if they file a complaint with the Ombudsmen Office. Although there are no guarantees, interaction with the Ombudsmen Office may make the county agency engage more positively in the mediation process.
If you become aware of a county agency’s blatant refusal to negotiate adoption assistance or other obvious acts of non-compliance with federal or state adoption assistance policy, you can pass the information on to me. I will inform the person in charge of IV-E programs at the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. I will not mention your name if you choose to remain anonymous.
Will the Ohio Adoption Grant Program be funded in the upcoming Ohio Biennium Budget?
The Ohio House has funding for the Ohio Adoption Grant in its version of he budget. As of this writing, the Ohio Senate has not released its version. There is a high probability that the program will continue to be funded in the final version. Updates will follow as the information becomes available.
Receives complaints via an online Family Complaint form or by calling 1-877-649-6884.
Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office | PO Box 182133 Columbus OH 43218 | 1-877-OH YOUTH or 1-877-649-6884