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Adoption Assistance for Oregon

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:

• Eight years of age or older
• Member of a racial or ethnic minority
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed together and one of the children is six years of age or older
• Member of a sibling group of three or more children placed together
• Documented medical, physical, mental, emotional condition impairment, or other clinically diagnosed disability
• Documented history of abuse or neglect
• Any other identified, predisposing factor that places the child at risk for future problems and need for treatment
• Significant emotional ties to the adoptive family while in their care as a foster child or relative placement

Note: Children must be legally free for adoption to be eligible for adoption assistance.

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 and legally free for adoption.

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 per child

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.)

Oregon offers deferred adoption assistance. Deferred adoption assistance agreements provide assurance that the family can request a change in benefits if the need or circumstance arises in the future. The adoptive parents, through the caseworker, must submit an adoption assistance application for what is known as “agreement only” which must be signed by the adoptive parents and the agency prior to adoption finalization.

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

Adoption assistance payments and benefits may begin in Oregon at adoption placement. The following criteria must also be met: 1) the child is fully free for adoption 2) the placement has been designated as the adoptive home and 3) the adoptive parent(s) and the agency representative have signed the adoption assistance agreement. The adoption assistance agreement must be complete prior to adoption finalization.

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 families may request a change in the adoption assistance agreement when there is a change in the circumstances of the family or the needs of the child. Families may request renegotiation any time by contacting their Adoption Assistance Coordinator. There is no specific form and requests are to be mailed to the assigned adoption assistance coordinator. The family must submit a written request for change that describes the change in family circumstances or the needs of the child to their adoption assistance case manager. The request for renegotiation of the agreement must also specify the services or goods sought to meet the new need and estimate their cost. The adoptive family may also be asked to provide documentation that supports their request for renegotiation of the adoption assistance agreement. Disputes over renegotiation of the adoption assistance agreement are resolved through the Appeal Procedures of Adoption Assistance. For a detailed explanation of the fair hearing process in Oregon, see Question #10. Send requests for change in the adoption assistance agreement to the following address:

Department of Human Services Adoption Program Manager 500 Summer Street, NE Salem, Oregon 97301

Contact local DHS offices.

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 Oregon are administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS), State Office for Service to Children and Families (SOSCF) through contract with Northwest Resource Associates, a private provider. Post adoption services include the following examples:

1. Information and referral
2. Educational programs
3. Educational materials
4. Support programs
5. Therapeutic intervention/counseling
6. Advocacy
7. Respite
8. Residential treatment
9. Mediation/search services

Adoptive families have access to the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center (ORPARC) which provides information/referral services in addition to training and a lending library of books, videos and audiotapes. ORPARC or phone: 503.241.0799 or 800.764.8367. ORPARC address: 621 SW Morrison Street, Suite 1225; Portland, Oregon 97205. Oregon began a Cooperative Adoption Mediation Program (CAMP) to encourage mediation and assist in search and reunification efforts. Oregon also has a voluntary Adoption Registry and all parties to adoption are informed of its availability.

Parents of children receiving in-state funded adoption assistance must contact the local child welfare office intake unit to request services. DHS contact and local offices. Parents may also telephone or write to the Oregon Post Adoption Resource Center at the above address and phone numbers to request services. Provision of services is based on the needs of the child and family and the availability of DHS and community resources.

Many private organizations offer a variety of support services. See the ARCH National Respite Network Respite Locator Service, search by state to locate Oregon’s respite programs.

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 Oregon are administered by the Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Medical Assistance Programs (OMAP), Office of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OMHAS) through the Community Mental Health Services Program and the Intensive Mental Health Services Program. Community Mental Health Programs include the following examples: individual, group, and family psychotherapy; crisis intervention; parent training; follow-up of hospitalized youth and case management; consultation to families, school, and other agencies; specialized services to families; prescription medication; and respite. Intensive treatment services include the following examples: children’s treatment services at the Secure Children's Inpatient Program; adolescent treatment services at the Oregon State Hospital; psychiatric day treatment services; psychiatric assessment and evaluation services; sub acute treatment; and psychiatric residential treatment Services (PRTS).

Publications on child and adolescent mental health include Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Intensive Community Based Treatment and Support Services and Family Voice and Family Choice: Strategies to Ensure Meaningful Family Involvement

Oregon’s mental health overview and medical coverage for children receiving adoption assistance. Crisis hotlines by county.

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?

Oregon may provide one-time payments for services approved in exceptional cases as negotiated between DHS and the adoptive family. DHS may authorize these expenses for a limited duration, subject to the agency’s discretion and availability of resources. If necessary, the family will be requested to provide documentation substantiating the need for assistance to DHS. Payment is made to the adoptive family who is then responsible for reimbursing the provider for services.

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

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 can request a fair hearing whenever they disagree with a DHS decision that affects their child’s adoption assistance benefits. First a resolution is sought with the adoption assistance coordinator. If the family and the adoption assistance coordinator cannot reach agreement, the family may verbally request a review of the case by the Adoption Assistance Review Committee. If the family is not satisfied with the recommendation of the Review Committee, they may request, in writing, that the Adoption Program Manager review the case file and make a decision. If the family remains unsatisfied, they may then appeal, in writing, this decision to a Fair Hearing before an administrative law judge. There is no mandatory form that adoptive parent(s) must use to request a fair hearing. Requests must be made within thirty days of the receipt of an adverse decision. Hearings are conducted by what are known as Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). The Department of Human Services is represented legally by the Oregon State Attorney General’s Office. Adoptive families have the right to be represented by legal counsel and to bring witnesses to support their case before the ALJ. Requests for fair hearing must be written and sent to the following address:

Department of Human Services Adoption Program Manager 500 Summer Street, NE Salem, Oregon 97301

Contact local DHS offices. See the Oregon Administrative Rules, OAR, Section 413-130-0120 for complete information on the fair hearing process.

See also: complete information on the fair hearing information (Oregon’s Child welfare policies, Oregon Administrative Rules and Protocols)

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

Oregon’s general adoption

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

Oregon’s adoption assistance (See “Adoption assistance” under the heading Adopting a child) and Oregon Adoption Assistance Handbook

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

Oregon’s state-specific medical assistance and Oregon Health Plan client information.

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