FEDERAL AGENCY:

ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

AUTHORIZATION:

Part E, Section 473A of the Social Security Act; Section 201 of the Adoption and Safe Families Act, Public Law 105-89.

OBJECTIVES:

To provide incentives to States to increase annually the number of foster child adoptions and special needs adoptions.

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:  
Fiscal Year 2015: 40 states and jurisdictions received Incentive payments. Incentives are earned in one year and paid out in the following two years. Fiscal Year 2016: 47 states and jurisdictions received adoption and legal guardianship incentive payments. Incentives are earned in one year and paid out in the following two years. Fiscal Year 2017: It is anticipated that 47 states and jurisdictions will receive incentive payments.

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:  
Gail Collins 330 C Street, SW, Room 3512, Washington, District of Columbia 20447 Email: gail.collins@acf.hhs.gov Phone: 202-205-8552

Web Site Address:  
http://www.acf.hhs.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.