Report from the Front; Adoption Assistance Payment Data from the State
More to Come
The state’s work group on “Strengthening and Stabilizing” the Negotiation of Adoption Assistance is now on hiatus. I will post developments as I learn about them. State staff from the newly constituted Ohio Department of Children and Youth distributed adoption assistance data prior to the group’s May meeting. Let’s take a look at some of the general figures and then in a future post examine some results from 2023.
Adoption Assistance Payments Negotiated in Specific Years 2019 Through 2023
The adoption assistance data presented by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth, and reported below, compares payments that were negotiated in successive years beginning in 2019 and extending through 2023. The data summarizes only those adoption assistance payments that were negotiated during each of the five specific years.
As you will see, overall adoption assistance payments increased in each of the years cited below. On the other hand, average adoption assistance payments showed little gain between 2022 and 2023. This result is disappointing given the state’s $100 per child, per month increase in its financial participation, starting on January 1, 2023. More on this in the next post when we examine data from 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
Monthly Adoption Assistance Payments - Highest County Average
2019-$764.71 2020-$742.60 2021-$743.89 2022-$777.50 2023-$806.06
Monthly Adoption Assistance Payments - Highest County Median
2019-$750 2020-$750 2021-$700 2022-$990 2023-$990
Monthly Adoption Assistance Payments - Lowest County Average
2019-$220.55 2020-$192.50 2021-$185.71 2022-$220 2023-$250.74
Monthly Adoption Assistance Payments - Lowest County Median
2019-$240 2020-$240 2021-$240 2022-$240 2023 $240
Comments
Once again, we see the huge disparity between the highest and the lowest paying counties. The degree of inequality reflects a failure to convey the purpose and procedures for the negotiation of adoption assistance, as reflected in federal policy, to county agencies. Consequently, disparities in adoption assistance among Ohio Counties are matched by disparities in attitudes and understanding of the program across the state. The “Strengthening and Stabilization work group, along with the State Department of Child and Family Services are charged with addressing these multiple disparities.
There is no real justification for any county agency to make adoption assistance payments below the amount in which the agency pays nothing. As many of you know, as of January 1, 2023, federal and state dollars cover the first $350 of an adoption assistance payment. Given current foster care rates, the cost of living, and the modest incomes of many adoptive families, it is hard to imagine how a median payment of $240 could be in compliance with the negotiation requirements of federal law.