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Adoption Assistance for New Hampshire

1. What specific factors or conditions does your State consider to determine that a child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing financial assistance? ("What is your State definition of special needs?")

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older (if age is the only factor used to determine the need for adoption assistance)
• Member of a minority or ethnic group
• Member of a sibling group of two or more which should be placed together
• A physical or mental handicap or emotional disturbance
• A language barrier

2. What are the eligibility criteria for your State-funded adoption assistance program?

In order to be eligible for state-funded adoption assistance a child must be a special needs child as defined above.

3. What is the maximum amount a family may receive in non-recurring adoption expenses from your State? (Adoptive parents can receive reimbursement of certain approved, "one-time" adoption expenses incurred in the process of finalizing a special needs adoption.)

$2,000.00

4. Does your State enter into deferred adoption assistance agreements? (In some States, adoptive parents can enter into an agreement in which they choose to defer the receipt of a Medicaid card, the monthly monetary payment, or both and can elect to receive the Medicaid card and/or monetary payment at another time.)

New Hampshire offers deferred adoption assistance.

5. When may adoption assistance payments and benefits begin in your State?

Adoption assistance payments and benefits may begin in New Hampshire at placement.

6. How are changes made to the adoption assistance agreement in your State?

1. When can a parent request a change in the adoption assistance agreement?
2. How does a parent request a change in the adoption assistance agreement?
3. What if a parent does not receive the change they request in the adoption assistance agreement?

Adoptive parents can make a request to change the adoption assistance agreement at any time. Requests can be made to the adoption assistance worker and can be either written or verbal. Requests for change are based on a change in the circumstances of the family or the needs of the child and each request is considered on an individual basis. If the parent disagrees with an answer to the requested change, they have the right to request an appeal of the decision and seek a fair hearing. See Question #10 for more information on the fair hearing process in New Hampshire.

7. What types of post adoption services are available in your State and how do you find out more about them?

Post adoption services in New Hampshire are administered by the DHHS, Department of Children, Youth and Families and include the following examples:

1. Resource and referral
2. Educational programs
3. Educational materials
4. Respite
5. Support groups
6. Case management
7. Counseling
8. Adoption search services

New Hampshire partners with Granite State College for a university-based service that develops instruction on an identified need. The organization provides training for foster and adoptive families three or four times annually on a range of subjects including attachment issues, ADHD, and developmental disability. Contact Granite State College at the general number: 888.228.3000 (toll free) or 603.271.4946 for the Education and Training Partnership. See the University System of New Hampshire, Granite College.

Information on adoption search services can be found under Frequently Asked Questions.

Many private organizations offer a variety of respite options. See the ARCH National Respite Network Respite Locator Service, search by state to locate New Hampshire’s respite programs. To contact DHHS, DCYF, see contact and information.

Note: Not all services may be available in all cases. Contact your adoption assistance worker or post adoption services contact for information regarding process, eligibility, availability, and duration of services.

8. What mental health services are provided by your State?

Public mental health services for children in New Hampshire are administered by the Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Community and Public Health and include the following examples: inpatient hospitalization, psychotherapy, social work counseling, mental health services, pastoral counseling, prescription drugs, and respite care.

Contact the Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Behavioral Health at the State Office Park South, location: 105 Pleasant Street; Concord, NH 03301. Phone: 603.271.8140 or 800.852.3345. Department of Health and Human Services site.

New Hampshire Medicaid and Targeted Medicaid Services.

Note: Not all services may be available in all cases. Contact your adoption assistance worker or medical assistance specialist for information regarding process, eligibility, availability, and duration of services.

9. Does your State provide additional finances or services for medical or therapeutic needs not covered under your State medical plan to children receiving adoption assistance?

New Hampshire does not offer additional finances or services for medical or therapeutic needs not covered under their state medical plan to children receiving adoption assistance. New Hampshire adoption assistance staff will assist families in obtaining other available resources.

10. What is your State's process for applying for a fair hearing? (A fair hearing is a legal, administrative procedure that provides a forum to address disagreements with agency decisions.)

Adoptive parents may appeal any Department of Children, Youth and Family decision that affects their child’s adoption assistance benefits. Requests for fair hearing can be in writing regarding eligibility, review, termination and suspension of the adoption assistance. Contact Linda Magoon at the following address:

Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Children, Youth and Families 105 Pleasant Street Concord, New Hampshire 03301

11. What is your State Web address for general adoption information?

New Hampshire’s general adoption and New Hampshire’s general adoption FAQ's.

See also Laws-Rules-Polices on adoption and the State of New Hampshire Revised Statutes on adoption.

12. What is your State Web address for adoption assistance information?

New Hampshire’s adoption information is found under Frequently Asked Questions, see: How much does it cost to adopt through DCYF and is financial assistance available?financial assistance resources.

13. What is your State Web address for State-specific medical assistance information for children?

New Hampshire’s state-specific medical assistance and New Hampshire’s state-specific medical program.

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