Arizona State Adoption Assistance Program - North American Council for Adoptable Children (2023)

Updated March 2022

Below is information about adoption assistance services that may be available to families adopting children from Arizona foster families. Adoption support policies and practices depend largely on the state in which the child was placed in foster care prior to adoption.

state contact

- Ken Hoffmann
Arizona Department of Child Safety
PO Box 6030
Site code: C010-22
Phoenix, Arizona 85005
(602) 771-6407
Ken.Hoffman@azdcs.gov

NACAC Volunteer

Nancy Williams
Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents
Peoria, AZ 85381
602-884-1801
602-510-0412
nancy.w@azafap.org

What is the adoption grant?

Parents who are considering or are in the process of adopting a child with special needs from a foster family should know about Adoption Assistance (also called Adoption Assistance). Federal (Title IV-E) and state (often referred to as non-IV-E) adoption assistance programs are designed to help parents meet the diverse and often expensive needs of their adopted children. Children may be eligible for federal adoption assistance or state assistance, depending on the child's history. Adoption support policies and practices depend largely on the state in which the child was placed in foster care prior to adoption.

Below is information on special needs definitions, benefits available, and procedures in Arizona. The Association of Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance Administrators (AAICAMA) provided answers to selected questions through the Child Welfare Information Gateway (www.childwelfare.gov). profiles fornon-governmental funding programsYou are available. If you have additional questions, please contact NACAC at 651-644-3036, 800-470-6665 oradopcion.assistance@nacac.org. If you have state-specific questions, please contact your state grant contact or NACAC grant representative (listed above) for additional information.

For more information on Title IV-E eligibility, see our information sheetEligibility and benefits for federal adoption assistance.

Adoption Resources on the Internet:
https://dcs.az.gov/

Arizona State Specific Medical Assistance:
https://azahcccs.gov/

Arizona Quotes for Adoption Assistance:
The link to Arizona Adoption Assistance is through the Revised Arizona Statutes (Act) at Title 8, Chapter 1, Adoption, Article 2, Adoption Assistance. See the following links: Article 2 – Adoption Grants
8-141- definitions; exception
8-142– adoption subsidy program; Money; claim (de; restriction
8-142.01– adoption subsidy program; Reimbursement in the hospital
8-143– eligibility to participate; restriction
8-144- grant agreement; Duration; Crowd; Regular revision; confidentiality
8-145– vocations

Arizona Administrative Code R21-5-501 through R2-5-514
http://www.azsos.gov/rules/arizona-administrative-code

Who is Eligible for Adoption Assistance or Grant?

1. How does Arizona define special needs to determine eligibility?

To determine eligibility, a child must meet the “special needs” requirements as defined in Title IV-E of the Social Security Act and Article 2, Title 8 of the Revised Arizona Bylaws. In order to meet the requirements, the Ministry determines the following:

• The child cannot or should not be returned to the parental home;
• The child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without an adoption grant due to a specific factor, condition, or special needs of the child. Y
• A reasonable but unsuccessful attempt was made to place the child without an adoption grant, unless the Department determined that due to the child's significant emotional ties to the prospective adoptive parents, it was not in the child's best interests to place the child with another family while the child was in his care as a foster child.

A child with special needs is a child who has at least one of the following factors, conditions or circumstances that could reasonably be used to conclude that the child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance:

• physical, mental or developmental disability;
• emotional disorder;
• high risk of physical or mental illnesses that can lead to a debilitating condition;
• high risk of a developmental disorder that can lead to a debilitating condition;
• six years of age or older at the time of applying for Adoption Assistance;
• member of a sibling group adopted by the same family;
• racial or ethnic factors, if such factors preclude the child's adoptive placement; Y
• high risk of severe emotional distress when removed from the care of the child's foster parent or relative, as diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

2. Is the federally funded adoption assistance program any different from the Title IV-E program?

To be eligible for federally funded adoption assistance, a child must meet the same special needs criteria set forth in the Title IV-E program. In addition, the child must be in the care of the Arizona Department of Child Safety or a private agency licensed by Arizona and lawfully residing in the United States.

3. Are children adopted by private Arizona agencies eligible for adoption assistance?

Yes, the Adoption Assist Supervisor provides educational materials, forms, and technical support for private placement agencies wishing to apply for Adoption Assist on behalf of children in their custody.

What support and services are there?

Monthly payments

4. What is the maximum alimony payment for adoption assistance in Arizona?

The base tariff is known as AM1. (AM stands for Adoption Maintenance.)

5. Does Arizona offer special rates (based on the child's exceptional needs or the additional parenting skills required to raise the child)?

Special fees are based on the child's special needs and the level of service and care required for the following conditions:

• physical or medical conditions or limitations;
• developmental disabilities or special educational needs; either
• behavioral or mental illnesses.

An assessment of the severity of the child's needs, the time, supervision and expense required to care for the child, and professional documentation are used to determine the rate for each child.

AM4+ is reserved for children who need a therapeutic, professional or medically vulnerable home in foster care.

6. When does the adoption assistance payment start?

Payment of the adoption grant can begin after the adoption application has been submitted and the adoptive parents and adoption grant supervisor have signed the adoption grant agreement.

7. When a child turns 18, what benefits, if any, continue?

Adoption assistance can be continued until the child is 18 years old.^DieBirthday if the adoptive parents remain legally and financially responsible for the child. Before the child's 18th birthday^DieBirthday, the state can renegotiate this agreement. Adoption assistance may continue through age 21 if the child lives with the adoptive parent and is enrolled and regularly attends an accredited high school with documented progress toward a high school diploma or GED. Unless the child has received a high school diploma or GED, or has turned 22. If the grant is renewed after age 18, AHCCCS/Medicaid health coverage is dependent on the state of residence but is not available after age 21.

8. Does Arizona offer deferred adoption support arrangements (arrangements where the initial monthly support amount is $0 for children at risk of later developing special needs)?

Arizona does not offer deferred adoption support arrangements; However, children without current special needs conditions may not receive child support for adoption grants.

Medical supplies

9. What Medicaid services are available in Arizona?

AHCCCS (Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System) is Arizona's version of Medicaid. Some services covered are:

• inpatient and outpatient hospital
• medical service
• Ambulatory Health Services
• Medical supplies, durable medical devices and prostheses
• medically necessary transport
• Early and Period Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) services for members under the age of 21.

Behavioral health services are available to eligible members under the age of 18 through the regional Behavioral Health Authorities.

Children with adoption assistance arrangements in Arizona are enrolled in AHCCCS through the Adoption Assistance Program. For children living in Arizona who have out-of-state adoption subsidy arrangements, parents should call Karen Reynolds at 602-771-3624 for information and registration.

10. What medical benefits are there for government-funded children? (Children on federally funded adoption assistance/Title IV-E are automatically eligible for Medicaid benefits.)

Children who are eligible for a federally funded adoption grant (not IV-E) may receive AHCCCS (Title XIX Medicaid). These children receive a full suite of Medicaid-covered benefits similar to IV-E-eligible children if they reside in Arizona or other states that offer mutual Medicaid insurance.

11. What mental health services are available?

Mental health services for adoption-subsidized children are provided by the Regional Behavioral Health Authorities (RBHAs). Public pediatric mental health services in Arizona are managed by the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS), Division of Behavioral Health Services (DBHS), with funding from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System, Arizona (AHCCCS). ADHD contracts with regional behavioral health agencies (RBHAs) to provide services. Psychiatric services may include evaluation and screening; care in a psychiatric inpatient facility; Ambulant care; behavior therapy inpatient treatment; individual, group and family therapy; Advice; crisis intervention; behavior management; psychotropic drugs; and breathe

All services may not be available in all cases. Parents should contact their Adoption Assistance Advisor for information on the process, eligibility, availability, and duration of services.

For more information on AHCCCS, seehttps://www.azahcccs.gov/.

For more information on Arizona Behavioral Health Services, visithttps://www.azahcccs.gov/Shared/BehavioralHealthServicesGuide.htmlor call the Department of Behavioral Health Services at 602-364-4558.

Other benefits

12. What one-time adoption expenses directly related to completing an adoption are eligible for reimbursement in Arizona?

Parents may be reimbursed up to $2,000 per application for one-time expenses, such as reasonable and necessary adoption fees, court costs, attorney fees, and expenses directly related to the legal process of adopting a special needs child (such as costs related to the adoption study). , health and psychological evaluations, pre-adoption care, and transportation and reasonable room and board costs for the child or adoptive parents necessary to complete the adoption process). Expenses that cannot be reimbursed include, but are not limited to, family counseling obtained prior to the final adoption decision; one-time costs associated with the physical remodeling, renovation and alteration of the adoptive parents' home or property; and any other expenses not related to the legal adoption process.

One-time adoption expenses submitted later than nine months after the final adoption notice is not eligible for reimbursement.

13. Is there childcare? If so, who is eligible and how do families get access to childcare?

Childcare is not possible through the adoption grant.

14. Is respite care available? If so, who is eligible and how do families get access to respite care?

Families may receive a respite care payment if the need for that benefit is related to a term of the adoption support contract. Parents must first access and exhaust all public respite resources and obtain approval from the Adoption Grant Case Manager before availing respite services.

Many private organizations offer recreational opportunities. Parents can search Arizona resources at the ARCH National Respite Network Respite Locator Servicehttp://archrespite.org/respitelocator

Parents should contact their Adoption Support Advisor for information on the process, eligibility, availability, and duration of respite services.

15. Is inpatient treatment available? If so, who is eligible and how do families access inpatient treatment services?

Medicaid covers the cost of inpatient treatment. In addition to Medicaid coverage, families should contact the Adoption Assistance Case Manager to request payment for special services. The application will be forwarded to the Adoption Grant Review Board for approval. Parents must first access and exhaust all private and public resources. Treatment must be medically necessary and adoption grant program approval must be obtained prior to receiving benefits.

16. What other post-adoption services are available in Arizona and how can families get more information about them?

For children who are eligible for adoption assistance, Arizona offers post-adoption assistance through a special service allowance. Special Services Grant Benefits may cover exceptional, rare, or unusual needs related to pre-existing special needs conditions listed in the original adoption assistance agreement that cannot be covered by AHCCCS/Medicaid or other public or private resources. The special performance grant must be pre-approved.

All services may not be available in all cases. Parents should contact their Adoption Assistance Advisor for information on the process, eligibility, availability, and duration of services.

Post-adoption services in Arizona are managed by the Department of Child Safety and provided by private agencies. Post-adoption services may include:

• information and education
• Resources and References
• About Legal Resources
• respite care
• support groups
• advocacy
• Support and training for parents.

The following private agencies provide support for adoptive families in the community:

• Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parentshttp://azafap.org
• Arizona Children's Associationhttp://www.arizonaschildren.org/
• Casey-Familienprogrammehttp://www.casey.org/Ubicaciones/Arizona/
• Adoption assistance for special childrenhttp://www.aask-az.org/
• Center for Family Engagementhttp://www.familyinvolvementcenter.org

Parents can also contact the Arizona Office of Foster Care and Adoption for more information.https://dcs.az.gov.

17. If the assistance listed in questions 13-16 above is specific services, do the adoption assistance agreement need to specifically list those services?

Any medical, dental and/or mental health conditions that may require the provision of special service grants must be specifically identified in the adoption assistance agreement.

What should families know about applying for adoption assistance?

18. Who initiates the adoption assistance agreement?

Local case managers are responsible for informing the family of the availability of the adoption grant. The application is completed by the adoptive family and the child's adoption assistant, who submits it to the Adoption Assistance Program. If the child is eligible, the case manager or Adoption Grant Advisor initiates the agreement and the child's Adoption Officer presents it to the adopting family.

19. Who makes the final decision on an adoption assistance agreement?

A supervisor from the local office will review the application and all required documentation, then submit the package to the Adoption Subsidy Program for approval. All applications will be subject to a management review and a final eligibility decision will be made. The adoption assistance program staff then negotiates an agreement with the adoptive parents.

20. How do families apply for adoption assistance after an adoption is complete?

Along with an application for adoption assistance, parents must submit documentation proving that the child's special needs were not diagnosed but existed at the time the adoption was completed. After the adoption is final, the adoption grant is only available if there is documented evidence that the child has a pre-existing medical condition that was undiagnosed at the time of adoption and the child met all other eligibility requirements at the time of adoption.

Families should contact the Phoenix Adoption Subsidies office at 602-771-6470 or the Tucson office at 520-885-8002, depending on where they live.

How can a family customize an adoption assistance agreement?

21. Can adoptive parents apply to amend an adoption assistance agreement?

Parents can request a change to the adoption assistance agreement at any time. Parents should contact their Adoption Assistance case manager to discuss the need for a change and request a form to return to the case manager. The parent must provide documentation from the appropriate professionals to support the amendment. Change requests must always be made in writing, but can also be made by telephone, but can only be checked after receipt of the necessary documents.

A management review must be conducted and any changes approved for requests to increase funding rates. Parents have the right to appeal a government agency's decision to refuse, limit, or terminate adoption assistance by writing to request a fair hearing within 20 calendar days of receipt of the decision letter.

22. What steps does a family follow to appeal an Arizona adoption assistance decision?

Adoptive parents have the right to request a fair hearing at any time when DCS refuses, reduces, or terminates adoption assistance. Parents contact their adoption assistance case manager to request a fair hearing. Parents must submit the application in writing to the Adoption Assistance Case Manager within 20 calendar days of receipt of the decision letter affecting the child's adoption assistance benefits.

The Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings will schedule a hearing. The hearing will be held at the Arizona Office of Administrative Hearings; However, instead of attending the hearing in person, parents may testify over the phone.

Hearings will be held in accordance with the Arizona Administrative Code. The Hearing Officer hears both parties, takes full minutes and issues a decision. Any party adversely affected by a final administrative decision may apply for a judicial review.

What else do families need to know?

23. How is the Arizona Adoption Assistance Program funded and administered?

The program is state overseen/government administered, which means that both policy and eligibility decisions are made by country office staff.

The federal contribution for children eligible for Title IV-E (known as the federal financial contribution or FFP rate) in Arizona is 67.23%. The remaining costs of the program are financed entirely from general state funds. Special services are 100% financed by the state.

24. Does Arizona operate a subsidized guardianship program?

Yes, Arizona has a federally funded guardianship subsidy program for children placed in Title 8 guardianship by the juvenile court.

The specific funding criteria are:

• There is completed permanent Title 8 Conservatorship by the Juvenile Division of the Arizona Superior Court in accordance with the state statute A.R.S. §8-872;
• The child is in the care of the Department of Child Safety; Y
• The guardian must apply for other state and federal program benefits on behalf of the child.

The rates below for subsidized guardianship cannot exceed those for adoption assistance and are offset by benefits drawn for the benefit of the child. Only approved foster parents can receive a higher rate than SBG 1 (SBG stands for subsidized guardianship).

For more information, please contact the Guardianship Subsidy Office at 602-771-6470.

25. Does Arizona offer a tuition waiver program?

No, but the Arizona Education and Training Program (ETV) provides funding for post-secondary education and training for young adults who are or have been in foster care. Anyone who was in foster care at age 16, 17, or 18, or who was adopted from the state foster care system at age 16 or older and who is under the age of 21 is eligible to apply for these funds.

Parents and young people receive applications athttp://www.fc2sprograms.org/arizona/.

26. Does Arizona offer a state adoption tax credit?

Arizona offers a deduction (Other Income Deductions, line 36, Part D) based on expenses of up to $3,000 in the year the adoption is completed.

27. Are there programs in Arizona to support an adoptee whose adoptive parents die until the child is re-adopted?

no

28. What is the payment schedule for adoption assistance? Who do I contact if I haven't received my payment? Can I receive my adoption assistance by direct bank transfer?

Check departure date varies by month. For families receiving a paper check, the check section informs them of next month's check date. For those receiving a direct deposit, you will receive an email notification that the payment will be posted to your account and will also notify the parents of next month's payment date.

Families who are having problems with their payment or wish to set up a direct deposit should contact their Adoption Support case manager. If they do not know who their case manager is, they should contact the grants office to which they are assigned to find out. The phone number for the Phoenix office is 602-771-6470 and the Tucson office is 520-885-8002.

29. What else makes Arizona's adoption assistance program different from others across the country?

Each child is assigned a case manager to help them find and access prevention and support services in their community. The case manager is available to provide family support and support if the adoptive family requests assistance. In addition, Arizona has a mental health specialist who specifically helps families with adoption grants. The role of the mental health specialist is to help families navigate the mental health system and ensure children receive all the mental health services to which they are entitled.