OAR 413-130-0015: Funding for Adoption Assistance

(1) The Department makes efforts to establish Title IV-E adoption assistance eligibility under OAR 413-100-0335 to access federal reimbursement for adoption assistance. (2) A child determined to have special needs under OAR 413-130-0020 who is ineligible for Title IV-E funded adoption assistance is eligible for state funded adoption assistance as described in OAR 413-130-0040(4)–(6). Administration of state funded adoption assistance is dependent upon the availability of such funds. (3) When all available state funds are obligated, the Department must continue to: (a) Accept new applications; (b) Accept requests to adjust an adoption assistance payment; and (c) Establish a waiting list. (4) As state funds become available, an adoption assistance payment may be made according to the date that the adoption assistance agreement is signed by all parties. The adoption assistance agreement may be retroactive for up to twelve months only when a foster care base rate payment, level of care payment, or personal care service payment was not made on behalf of the child. (5) When state funds are unavailable and a new adoption assistance application is received, the pre-adoptive family may sign an adoption assistance agreement only to prevent delay in finalizing the adoption, with the understanding that adoption assistance may be requested at a later date.