Adoption Incentive Payments
The Department of Health and Human Services is the Federal government's principal agency for protecting the health of all Americans and providing essential human services, especially to those who are least able to help themselves.
Program Accomplishments
In fiscal year 2007, 19 states received incentives. Number of states to receive incentives fiscal years 2008 and 2009 are unknown.
Uses and Use Restrictions
A State shall not expend an amount paid to the State under this grant except to provide to children of families any activity or service (including post-adoption services) that may be provided under Part B or E of Title IV of the Social Security Act.
Amounts expended by a State in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be disregarded in determining State expenditures for purposes of Federal matching payments under Sections 423, 434, and 474 of the Social Security Act.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Applications are not required.
The States, including Puerto Rico and the District of Columbia, may receive payments.
The Children's Bureau shall determine the numbers of foster child adoptions, the special needs adoptions, and the older child adoption in a State on the basis of AFCARS data as reported by each State and accepted by the Children's Bureau no later than May 15 of the fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal year in which the adoptions were finalized (i.e., the "earning year").
Beneficiary Eligibility
Beneficiaries are those children and families eligible under Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, as amended.
Credentials/Documentation
The Children's Bureau must receive and approve State reported AFCARS data submitted by May 15 of the fiscal year following the fiscal year in which the adoptions were finalized (i.e., the "earning year").
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
States are automatic applicants.
Award Procedures
Incentive payments will be issued annually, in the fiscal year subsequent to the earning year. Payment will be based on AFCARS data submitted no later than May 15 of the fiscal year following the earning year. AFCARS data must be accepted and approved by the Children's Bureau.
Deadlines
AFCARS reports must be received no later than May 15, for subsequent fiscal years in order to be considered for incentive payments.
Authorization
Part E, Section 473A of the Social Security Act; the Adoption Promotion Act of 2003, Public Law 108-145.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
None.
Appeals
None.
Renewals
None. Each "earning year" (fiscal years 2003-2007), State adoption data received through AFCARS will be considered on its own merit.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
The adoption incentive payment payable to a State for a fiscal year shall be equal to the sum of (a) $4,000, multiplied by the number of foster child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year which exceeds the base number of foster child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year; (b) $4,000 multiplied by the number of foster child adoptions of children age 9 or older in the State during the fiscal year in which exceeds the base number of foster child adoption of children age 9 or older for the State for the fiscal year; and (c) $2,000, multiplied by the number of special needs adoptions of children under age nine in the State during the fiscal year which exceeds the base number of special needs adoptions of children under age 9 for the State for the fiscal year, if the state receives a bonus under (a) or (b). There are no matching requirements for these funds.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
Payments to a State in a fiscal year shall remain available for use by the State through the end of the succeeding fiscal year.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
States must identify in the Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) or Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR) as applicable (due June 30 of each year), the services they have provided to children and families as a result of the expenditure of adoption incentive payments.
Should more than one fiscal year's incentive funds be expended during a given reporting period, the report should reflect the services provided and identify the fiscal year's funds expended.
Actual expenditures of incentive funds must be reported annually on Form SF- 269, Financial Status Report.
Audits
In accordance with 45 CFR 92.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
75-1536-0-1-506.
Obigations
(Grants) FY 07 $7,354,000; FY 08 $4,323,000; and FY 09 est $19,674,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
In FY 2007, incentive payments to States ranged from $12,000 to $2,100,000. The average incentive payment was $387,000.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
ACYF-CB-PI-04-03, issued 03/23/04.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
ACF Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office
Gail Collins, Division of Program Implementation, Children's Bureau, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, 1250 Maryland Avenue S.W., Washington DC, 20024, 8th Floor, Telephone: (202) 205-8552.
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
All State Agencies are considered if the number of adoptions exceed the baseline number of adoptions.
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