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PLEASE NOTE: This policy issuance has been withdrawn in its entirety and should be used only for historical or reference purposes.
| ACF Administration for Children and Families |
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES |
|
| 1. Log No. ACYF-CB-85-2 | 2. Issuance Date: 1/9/85 | |
| 3. Originating Office: Children's Bureau | ||
| 4. Key Words: Post Adoption, Title XX and Title IV-E, Services and Training, Social Security Act | ||
INFORMATION MEMORANDUM
TO: ADMINISTRATORS OF STATE PUBLIC WELFARE AGENCIES, INDIAN TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS AND CHILD WELFARE SERVICE PROGRAMS
SUBJECT: TITLE IV-E ADOPTION ASSISTANCE AND USE OF TITLE XX SOCIAL SERVICES BLOCK GRANT FUNDS FOR POST-ADOPTION SERVICES AND TITLE IV-E FUNDS FOR TRAINING
LEGAL AND RELATED REFERENCES: Section 473(b) and 474(a)(3) of the Social Security Act; 45 CFR 1356.60(c)(5)
INFORMATION: The title IV-E Adoption Assistance Program has made it possible for more than 10,000 children, who might otherwise have spent their childhood in foster care, to find permanent families. These children have special needs because of physical, mental or emotional handicaps, their age or ethnic background, or membership in a minority or sibling group which had prevented their adoption without a subsidy prior to the availability of title IV-E funds.
Social workers now recognize the need for services for all children and families following the legalization of the adoption (post-adoption services). For children with special needs (as defined in title IV-E), it is particularly important that post-adoption services are available. The child's adjustment to his new status, the possibility of recurrences of earlier problems, and the existence of physical, emotional or intellectual difficulties are major reasons for the continuing availability of social services for special needs children.
States are encouraged to make use of title XX funds for adoption services to families and children receiving adoption assistance through title IV-E. As provided in section 473(b), any child with respect to whom title IV-E adoption assistance payments are made shall be deemed to be a recipient of AFDC under title IV-A and is, therefore, eligible for the same services as are provided recipients of AFDC.
In order to strengthen the State's adoption service programs, States are also reminded that title IV-E adoption assistance funds may be used for training of adoption workers employed or preparing for employment by the State or local agency administering the program. Federal matching funds are available at a 75 percent rate for agency staff training and at a 50 percent rate for travel and per diem costs for training opportunities for adoptive parents. The training may include detailed information on the nature of the child's disability or special needs, availability of social services and how to access them and other subjects that expand their knowledge and understanding of the adopted child.
INQUIRIES: Regional Program Directors, ACYF. /s/
