To provide incentives to States to increase annually the
number of foster child adoptions and special needs adoptions.
TYPES OF ASSISTANCE:
Formula Grants. Place Cursor Here for Definition
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 50 States, Puerto Rico and District of Columbia may receive
payments. The Children's Bureau shall determine the numbers of foster child
adoptions and the special needs adoptions in a State for fiscal years 1995
through 2002, 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 subsequent to the fiscal year in which the adoptions were
finalized (i.e., the "earning year").
Pre-application Coordination: This program is
excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.
Application Procedure: States are automatic
applicants.
Award Procedure: 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.
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time: Not
applicable.
Appeals: Not applicable.
Renewals: None. Each "earning year"
(fiscal years 1998-2002), State adoption data received through AFCARS will be
considered on its own.
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; and B) $2,000, multiplied by the
number of special needs adoptions in the State during the fiscal year which
exceeds the base number of special needs adoptions for the State for the
fiscal year. 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 74.
Records: None.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION:
Account Identification: 75-1536-0-1-506.
Obligations: FY 01 $42,994,000; FY 02 est
$43,000,000; and FY 03 est $43,000,000.
Range and Average of Financial Assistance: From
$10,000 to $6,451,903; $994,865. In FY02 and FY03, the range is estimated from
$35,000 to $7,320,260; Average: $977,273.
In fiscal year 2001, 44 grants were awarded in which 46,000 foster care
children were legally adopted. It is estimated that 44 grants will be awarded
in fiscal year 2002 and fiscal year 2003.
REGULATIONS, GUIDELINES, AND LITERATURE:
ACYF-CB-IM-97-05, issued 7/7/97; ACYF-CB-PI-98-07, issued April 30, 1998;
ACYF-CB-PI-99-04, issued March 5, 1999, ACYF-CB-IM-03-01, issued March 7,
2001.
INFORMATION CONTACTS:
Regional or Local Office: ACF Regional Offices.
Headquarters Office: Jennifer Butler-Hembree,
Division of Program Implementation, Children's Bureau, Administration for
Children, Youth and Families, 330 C St., SW., Washington, DC 20447, Telephone:
(202) 260-7684.
Web Site Address: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb.
EXAMPLES OF FUNDED PROJECTS:
Not applicable.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTING PROPOSALS:
All State Agencies are considered if the number of adoptions exceed the
baseline number of adoptions.
