Adoption Assistance
Administered by:
US Federal Government Agency (see all agencies)
Department of Health and Human Services , Administration For Children And Families
CFDA #: 93.659
Purpose of this program:
To provide Federal Financial Participation (FFP) to States in adoption subsidy costs for the adoption of children with special needs and who meet certain eligibility tests.
Possible uses and use restrictions...
Federal subsidy may be used only in support of the adoption of children who meet the definition of special needs as specified in the Law. All parents adopting special needs children are eligible for the nonrecurring cost of adoption. States may receive Federal financial participation only if State plans have been approved by the Secretary as meeting the requirements of the Law.
Who is eligible to apply...
States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico may submit a Sate plan for program participation.
Eligible Applicant Categories:
* State (Includes District Of Columbia; Includes Institutions Of Higher Education And Hospitals)
* U.S. Territories And Possessions (Includes Institutions Of Higher Education, Hospitals)
Eligible Functional Categories:
* Families and Child Welfare Services
* Specialized Family and Child Welfare Services
* Youth Services
Credentials/Documentation
The State must submit an application for approval by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR, Part 74.
Note:This is a brief description of the credentials or documentation required prior to, or along with, an application for assistance.
About this section:
This section indicates who can apply to the Federal government for assistance and the criteria the potential applicant must satisfy. For example, individuals may be eligible for research grants, and the criteria to be satisfied may be that they have a professional or scientific degree, 3 years of research experience, and be a citizen of the United States. Universities, medical schools, hospitals, or State and local governments may also be eligible. Where State governments are eligible, the type of State agency will be indicated (State welfare agency or State agency on aging) and the criteria that they must satisfy.
Certain federal programs (e.g., the Pell Grant program which provides grants to students) involve intermediate levels of application processing, i.e., applications are transmitted through colleges or universities that are neither the direct applicant nor the ultimate beneficiary. For these programs, the criteria that the intermediaries must satisfy are also indicated, along with intermediaries who are not eligible.
How to apply...
Application Procedure:
Applications (State plans) are submitted to the Regional Office (RO) of ACF.
Note: Each program will indicate whether applications are to be submitted to the Federal headquarters, regional or local office, or to a State or local government office.
Award Procedure:
Quarterly awards are made on the basis of estimated expenditures, which are later revised to include only actual allowable expenditures. Final decisions and awards are made by the Headquarters Office. Letter-of-credit is issued by the HHS Payment Management System (PMS).
Note: Grant payments may be made by a letter of credit, advance by Treasury check, or reimbursement by Treasury check. Awards may be made by the headquarters office directly to the applicant, an agency field office, a regional office, or by an authorized county office. The assistance may pass through the initial applicant for further distribution by intermediate level applicants to groups or individuals in the private sector.
Related federal programs
* Adoption Incentive Payments
* Adoption Opportunities
* Child Welfare Services_State Grants
* Foster Care_Title IV-E
* Promoting Safe and Stable Families
Deadlines and process...
Deadlines
Estimates are due July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30.
Note: When available, this section indicates the deadlines for applications to the funding agency which will be stated in terms of the date(s) or between what dates the application should be received. When not available, applicants should contact the funding agency for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
HHS will approve/disapprove applications (State plans or amendments to them) within 90 days of receipt by HHS.
Preapplication Coordination
Consultation to States is available from Regional Offices of ACF, DHHS. The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Note: This section indicates whether any prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or nongovernmental units prior to the submission of a formal application to the federal funding agency.
Appeals
Refer to 45 CFR, Part 16.
Note: In some cases, there are no provisions for appeal. Where applicable, this section discusses appeal procedures or allowable rework time for resubmission of applications to be processed by the funding agency. Appeal procedures vary with individual programs and are either listed in this section or applicants are referred to appeal procedures documented in the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Renewals
Not applicable.
Note: In some instances, renewal procedures may be the same as for the application procedure, e.g., for projects of a non-continuing nature renewals will be treated as new, competing applications; for projects of an ongoing nature, renewals may be given annually.
Who can benefit...
Beneficiaries are children who: (1) Are AFDC (as in effect July 16, 1996), IV-E-FC, or SSI recipients or are eligible for AFDC (as in effect July 16, 1996), IV-E-FC, and SSI; and (2) have been determined by the State to be special needs, e.g., a special factor or condition which makes it reasonable to conclude that they cannot be adopted without adoption assistance; a State determination that the child cannot or should not be returned home; and a reasonable effort has been made to place the child without providing financial or medical assistance. FFP is available from the time of placement for adoption in accordance with State and local law or final adoption decree to age 18 (21 if the State finds that a disability means aid should continue) as long as the parent supports the child. No child adopted prior to the approval of the State's Title IV-E plan is eligible for FFP. No means test applies to adopting parents, but the amount of subsidy is agreed to by agency and parents and may be readjusted by joint agreement.
Beneficiaries
* Child (6-15)
* Infant (0-5)
* Youth (16-21)
About this section:
This section lists the ultimate beneficiaries of a program, the criteria they must satisfy and who specifically is not eligible. The applicant and beneficiary will generally be the same for programs that provide assistance directly from a Federal agency. However, financial assistance that passes through State or local governments will have different applicants and beneficiaries since the assistance is transmitted to private sector beneficiaries who are not obligated to request or apply for the assistance.
What types of assistance...
Formula Grants
Allocations of money to States or their subdivisions in accordance with distribution formulas prescribed by law or administrative regulation, for activities of a continuing nature not confined to a specific project.
How much financial aid...
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
2004 estimate ranges from $253,535 to $275,024,179 2005 estimate ranges from $276,565 to $300,006,351.
Note: This section lists the representative range (smallest to largest) of the amount of financial assistance available. These figures are based upon funds awarded in the past fiscal year and the current fiscal year to date. Also indicated is an approximate average amount of awards which were made in the past and current fiscal years.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 03 $1,481,955,735; FY 04 est $1,622,700,000; and FY 05 est $1,770,100,000.
Note: The dollar amounts listed in this section represent obligations for the past fiscal year (PY), estimates for the current fiscal year (CY), and estimates for the budget fiscal year (BY) as reported by the Federal agencies. Obligations for non-financial assistance programs indicate the administrative expenses involved in the operation of a program.
Account Identification
75-1545-0-1-506.
Note: Note: This 11-digit budget account identification code represents the account which funds a particular program. This code should be consistent with the code given for the program area as specified in Appendix III of the Budget of the United States Government.
Examples of funded projects...
Not applicable.
About this section
This section indicates the different types of projects which have been funded in the past. Only projects funded under Project Grants or Direct Payments for Specified Use should be listed here. The examples give potential applicants an idea of the types of projects that may be accepted for funding. The agency should list at least five examples of the most recently funded projects.
Program accomplishments...
Adoption subsidy payments are made to eligible children with special needs who are adopted. In fiscal year 2003, this program assisted an average of 315,000 children per month. It is estimated that this program will assist an average of 344,900 children per month in fiscal year 2004 and 375,900 in FY2005. There were 52 grants made in fiscal year 2003. It is estimated that 52 grants will be made in fiscal year 2004 and 52 grants in fiscal year 2005.
Criteria for selecting proposals...
Criteria are not available.
Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Federal financial participation is available to a State operating under an approved State plan.
Formula and Matching Requirements
FFP for adoption assistance is equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act) of the total expended as adoption assistance, plus 75 percent of training and 50 percent of other administrative costs.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.
Post assistance requirements...
Reports
Expenditure reports are required 30 days after the end of the quarter; other reports as required by the Secretary.
Note: This section indicates whether program reports, expenditure reports, cash reports or performance monitoring are required by the Federal funding agency, and specifies at what time intervals (monthly, annually, etc.) this must be accomplished.
Audits
Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74.
Note: This section discusses audits required by the Federal agency. The procedures and requirements for State and local governments and nonprofit entities are set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133. These requirements pertain to awards made within the respective State's fiscal year - not the Federal fiscal year, as some State and local governments may use the calendar year or other variation of time span designated as the fiscal year period, rather than that commonly known as the Federal fiscal year (from October 1st through September 30th).
Records
States must maintain records necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the program, including records of applications, determinations of eligibility, allocated and direct administrative and training costs, and the provision of financial assistance.
Note: This section indicates the record retention requirements and the type of records the Federal agency may require. Not included are the normally imposed requirements of the General Accounting Office. For programs falling under the purview of OMB Circular No. A-102, record retention is set forth in Attachment C. For other programs, record retention is governed by the funding agency's requirements.
Regulations...
Authorization
Social Security Act, Title IV-E, Section 470 et seq., as amended.
Note: This section lists the legal authority upon which a program is based (acts, amendments to acts, Public Law numbers, titles, sections, Statute Codes, citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, Presidential Reorganization Plans, and Memoranda from an agency head).
Regulations, Guidelines, And Literature
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; 45 CFR 1355 - 1356.
Contact information...
Web Sites
* www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb
* www.acf.hhs.gov
* www.hhs.gov
Regional Or Local Office
Contact the Regional Administrator, ACF, HHS in the appropriate Regional Office. (See Additional Contact Information - FMR Help for a list of addresses of the Regional Offices.)
Note: This section lists the agency contact person, address and telephone number of the Federal Regional or Local Office(s) to be contacted for detailed information regarding a program such as: (1) current availability of funds and the likelihood of receiving assistance within a given period; (2) pre-application and application forms required; (3) whether a pre-application conference is recommended; (4) assistance available in preparation of applications; (5) whether funding decisions are made at the headquarters, regional or local level; (6) application renewal procedures (including continuations and supplementals) or appeal procedures for rejected applications; and (7) recently published program guidelines and material. However, for most federal programs, this section will instruct the reader to consult the so-called Appendix IV of the Catalog due to the large volume of Regional and Local Office Contacts for most agencies. This information is provided in Additional Contact Information (see below).
Headquarters Office
Jennifer Butler Hembree, Children's Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 260-7684. FTS is not available.
Note: This section lists names and addresses of the office at the headquarters level with direct operational responsibility for managing a program. A telephone number is provided in cases where a Regional or Local Office is not normally able to answer detailed inquiries concerning a program. Also listed are the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the information contact person(s) who can provide additional program information to applicants.
Additional Contact Information (Appendix IV)
Due to the large volume of regional and local office contacts for most agencies, full contact information is also provided separately here in a PDF format:
* Regional and Local Office Addresses listed by Agency (PDF file)
* Regional and Local Office Addresses listed by State (PDF file)
US Federal Government Agency (see all agencies)
Department of Health and Human Services , Administration For Children And Families
CFDA #: 93.659
Purpose of this program:
To provide Federal Financial Participation (FFP) to States in adoption subsidy costs for the adoption of children with special needs and who meet certain eligibility tests.
Possible uses and use restrictions...
Federal subsidy may be used only in support of the adoption of children who meet the definition of special needs as specified in the Law. All parents adopting special needs children are eligible for the nonrecurring cost of adoption. States may receive Federal financial participation only if State plans have been approved by the Secretary as meeting the requirements of the Law.
Who is eligible to apply...
States, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico may submit a Sate plan for program participation.
Eligible Applicant Categories:
* State (Includes District Of Columbia; Includes Institutions Of Higher Education And Hospitals)
* U.S. Territories And Possessions (Includes Institutions Of Higher Education, Hospitals)
Eligible Functional Categories:
* Families and Child Welfare Services
* Specialized Family and Child Welfare Services
* Youth Services
Credentials/Documentation
The State must submit an application for approval by the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Costs will be determined in accordance with 45 CFR, Part 74.
Note:This is a brief description of the credentials or documentation required prior to, or along with, an application for assistance.
About this section:
This section indicates who can apply to the Federal government for assistance and the criteria the potential applicant must satisfy. For example, individuals may be eligible for research grants, and the criteria to be satisfied may be that they have a professional or scientific degree, 3 years of research experience, and be a citizen of the United States. Universities, medical schools, hospitals, or State and local governments may also be eligible. Where State governments are eligible, the type of State agency will be indicated (State welfare agency or State agency on aging) and the criteria that they must satisfy.
Certain federal programs (e.g., the Pell Grant program which provides grants to students) involve intermediate levels of application processing, i.e., applications are transmitted through colleges or universities that are neither the direct applicant nor the ultimate beneficiary. For these programs, the criteria that the intermediaries must satisfy are also indicated, along with intermediaries who are not eligible.
How to apply...
Application Procedure:
Applications (State plans) are submitted to the Regional Office (RO) of ACF.
Note: Each program will indicate whether applications are to be submitted to the Federal headquarters, regional or local office, or to a State or local government office.
Award Procedure:
Quarterly awards are made on the basis of estimated expenditures, which are later revised to include only actual allowable expenditures. Final decisions and awards are made by the Headquarters Office. Letter-of-credit is issued by the HHS Payment Management System (PMS).
Note: Grant payments may be made by a letter of credit, advance by Treasury check, or reimbursement by Treasury check. Awards may be made by the headquarters office directly to the applicant, an agency field office, a regional office, or by an authorized county office. The assistance may pass through the initial applicant for further distribution by intermediate level applicants to groups or individuals in the private sector.
Related federal programs
* Adoption Incentive Payments
* Adoption Opportunities
* Child Welfare Services_State Grants
* Foster Care_Title IV-E
* Promoting Safe and Stable Families
Deadlines and process...
Deadlines
Estimates are due July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30.
Note: When available, this section indicates the deadlines for applications to the funding agency which will be stated in terms of the date(s) or between what dates the application should be received. When not available, applicants should contact the funding agency for deadline information.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
HHS will approve/disapprove applications (State plans or amendments to them) within 90 days of receipt by HHS.
Preapplication Coordination
Consultation to States is available from Regional Offices of ACF, DHHS. The standard application forms as furnished by DHHS must be used for this program. This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Note: This section indicates whether any prior coordination or approval is required with governmental or nongovernmental units prior to the submission of a formal application to the federal funding agency.
Appeals
Refer to 45 CFR, Part 16.
Note: In some cases, there are no provisions for appeal. Where applicable, this section discusses appeal procedures or allowable rework time for resubmission of applications to be processed by the funding agency. Appeal procedures vary with individual programs and are either listed in this section or applicants are referred to appeal procedures documented in the relevant Code of Federal Regulations (CFR).
Renewals
Not applicable.
Note: In some instances, renewal procedures may be the same as for the application procedure, e.g., for projects of a non-continuing nature renewals will be treated as new, competing applications; for projects of an ongoing nature, renewals may be given annually.
Who can benefit...
Beneficiaries are children who: (1) Are AFDC (as in effect July 16, 1996), IV-E-FC, or SSI recipients or are eligible for AFDC (as in effect July 16, 1996), IV-E-FC, and SSI; and (2) have been determined by the State to be special needs, e.g., a special factor or condition which makes it reasonable to conclude that they cannot be adopted without adoption assistance; a State determination that the child cannot or should not be returned home; and a reasonable effort has been made to place the child without providing financial or medical assistance. FFP is available from the time of placement for adoption in accordance with State and local law or final adoption decree to age 18 (21 if the State finds that a disability means aid should continue) as long as the parent supports the child. No child adopted prior to the approval of the State's Title IV-E plan is eligible for FFP. No means test applies to adopting parents, but the amount of subsidy is agreed to by agency and parents and may be readjusted by joint agreement.
Beneficiaries
* Child (6-15)
* Infant (0-5)
* Youth (16-21)
About this section:
This section lists the ultimate beneficiaries of a program, the criteria they must satisfy and who specifically is not eligible. The applicant and beneficiary will generally be the same for programs that provide assistance directly from a Federal agency. However, financial assistance that passes through State or local governments will have different applicants and beneficiaries since the assistance is transmitted to private sector beneficiaries who are not obligated to request or apply for the assistance.
What types of assistance...
Formula Grants
Allocations of money to States or their subdivisions in accordance with distribution formulas prescribed by law or administrative regulation, for activities of a continuing nature not confined to a specific project.
How much financial aid...
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
2004 estimate ranges from $253,535 to $275,024,179 2005 estimate ranges from $276,565 to $300,006,351.
Note: This section lists the representative range (smallest to largest) of the amount of financial assistance available. These figures are based upon funds awarded in the past fiscal year and the current fiscal year to date. Also indicated is an approximate average amount of awards which were made in the past and current fiscal years.
Obligations
(Grants) FY 03 $1,481,955,735; FY 04 est $1,622,700,000; and FY 05 est $1,770,100,000.
Note: The dollar amounts listed in this section represent obligations for the past fiscal year (PY), estimates for the current fiscal year (CY), and estimates for the budget fiscal year (BY) as reported by the Federal agencies. Obligations for non-financial assistance programs indicate the administrative expenses involved in the operation of a program.
Account Identification
75-1545-0-1-506.
Note: Note: This 11-digit budget account identification code represents the account which funds a particular program. This code should be consistent with the code given for the program area as specified in Appendix III of the Budget of the United States Government.
Examples of funded projects...
Not applicable.
About this section
This section indicates the different types of projects which have been funded in the past. Only projects funded under Project Grants or Direct Payments for Specified Use should be listed here. The examples give potential applicants an idea of the types of projects that may be accepted for funding. The agency should list at least five examples of the most recently funded projects.
Program accomplishments...
Adoption subsidy payments are made to eligible children with special needs who are adopted. In fiscal year 2003, this program assisted an average of 315,000 children per month. It is estimated that this program will assist an average of 344,900 children per month in fiscal year 2004 and 375,900 in FY2005. There were 52 grants made in fiscal year 2003. It is estimated that 52 grants will be made in fiscal year 2004 and 52 grants in fiscal year 2005.
Criteria for selecting proposals...
Criteria are not available.
Assistance considerations...
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Federal financial participation is available to a State operating under an approved State plan.
Formula and Matching Requirements
FFP for adoption assistance is equal to the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined in section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act) of the total expended as adoption assistance, plus 75 percent of training and 50 percent of other administrative costs.
Note:
A formula may be based on population, per capita income, and other statistical factors. Applicants are informed whether there are any matching requirements to be met when participating in the cost of a project. In general, the matching share represents that portion of the project costs not borne by the Federal government. Attachment F of OMB Circular No. A-102 (Office of Management and Budget) sets forth the criteria and procedures for the evaluation of matching share requirements which may be cash or in-kind contributions made by State and local governments or other agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals to satisfy matching requirements of Federal grants or loans.
Cash contributions represent the grantees' cash outlay, including the outlay of money contributed to the grantee by other public agencies, institutions, private organizations, or individuals. When authorized by Federal regulation, Federal funds received from other grants may be considered as the grantees' cash contribution.
In-kind contributions represent the value of noncash contributions provided by the grantee, other public agencies and institutions, private organizations or individuals. In-kind contributions may consist of charges for real property and equipment, and value of goods and services directly benefiting and specifically identifiable to the grant program. When authorized by Federal legislation, property purchased with Federal funds may be considered as grantees' in-kind contribution.
Maintenance of effort (MOE) is a requirement contained in certain legislation, regulations, or administrative policies stating that a grantee must maintain a specified level of financial effort in a specific area in order to receive Federal grant funds, and that the Federal grant funds may be used only to supplement, not supplant, the level of grantee funds.
Post assistance requirements...
Reports
Expenditure reports are required 30 days after the end of the quarter; other reports as required by the Secretary.
Note: This section indicates whether program reports, expenditure reports, cash reports or performance monitoring are required by the Federal funding agency, and specifies at what time intervals (monthly, annually, etc.) this must be accomplished.
Audits
Audits are conducted in accordance with the requirements in 45 CFR 74.
Note: This section discusses audits required by the Federal agency. The procedures and requirements for State and local governments and nonprofit entities are set forth in OMB Circular No. A-133. These requirements pertain to awards made within the respective State's fiscal year - not the Federal fiscal year, as some State and local governments may use the calendar year or other variation of time span designated as the fiscal year period, rather than that commonly known as the Federal fiscal year (from October 1st through September 30th).
Records
States must maintain records necessary for the proper and efficient operation of the program, including records of applications, determinations of eligibility, allocated and direct administrative and training costs, and the provision of financial assistance.
Note: This section indicates the record retention requirements and the type of records the Federal agency may require. Not included are the normally imposed requirements of the General Accounting Office. For programs falling under the purview of OMB Circular No. A-102, record retention is set forth in Attachment C. For other programs, record retention is governed by the funding agency's requirements.
Regulations...
Authorization
Social Security Act, Title IV-E, Section 470 et seq., as amended.
Note: This section lists the legal authority upon which a program is based (acts, amendments to acts, Public Law numbers, titles, sections, Statute Codes, citations to the U.S. Code, Executive Orders, Presidential Reorganization Plans, and Memoranda from an agency head).
Regulations, Guidelines, And Literature
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking; 45 CFR 1355 - 1356.
Contact information...
Web Sites
* www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/cb
* www.acf.hhs.gov
* www.hhs.gov
Regional Or Local Office
Contact the Regional Administrator, ACF, HHS in the appropriate Regional Office. (See Additional Contact Information - FMR Help for a list of addresses of the Regional Offices.)
Note: This section lists the agency contact person, address and telephone number of the Federal Regional or Local Office(s) to be contacted for detailed information regarding a program such as: (1) current availability of funds and the likelihood of receiving assistance within a given period; (2) pre-application and application forms required; (3) whether a pre-application conference is recommended; (4) assistance available in preparation of applications; (5) whether funding decisions are made at the headquarters, regional or local level; (6) application renewal procedures (including continuations and supplementals) or appeal procedures for rejected applications; and (7) recently published program guidelines and material. However, for most federal programs, this section will instruct the reader to consult the so-called Appendix IV of the Catalog due to the large volume of Regional and Local Office Contacts for most agencies. This information is provided in Additional Contact Information (see below).
Headquarters Office
Jennifer Butler Hembree, Children's Bureau, 330 C Street, SW., Washington, DC 20447. Telephone: (202) 260-7684. FTS is not available.
Note: This section lists names and addresses of the office at the headquarters level with direct operational responsibility for managing a program. A telephone number is provided in cases where a Regional or Local Office is not normally able to answer detailed inquiries concerning a program. Also listed are the name(s) and telephone number(s) of the information contact person(s) who can provide additional program information to applicants.
Additional Contact Information (Appendix IV)
Due to the large volume of regional and local office contacts for most agencies, full contact information is also provided separately here in a PDF format:
* Regional and Local Office Addresses listed by Agency (PDF file)
* Regional and Local Office Addresses listed by State (PDF file)
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