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Adoption Assistance for Wyoming
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
- Member of a racial minority
- Member of a sibling group that needs to be placed in the same home
- Irreversible or non-correctable physical or mental disabilities
- Physical, mental or emotional disabilities correctable through surgery, treatment or other specialized services
- Residing in the same foster family home for a lengthy period of time where emotional ties have been developed with the foster family and adoption assistance is necessary to facilitate an adoption
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 the following conditions must also be met by the child at the time of adoption placement:
- Legally free for adoption
- In the legal custody of the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) or a child placement agency certified by the State of Wyoming
- The financial responsibility of the Wyoming Department of Family Services or a Wyoming certified, private child placement agency
- DFS has determined the adoptive parent can provide for the non-financial needs of the child
- Reasonable efforts to place the child without adoption assistance have proven unsuccessful
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.)
Wyoming does not offer deferred adoption assistance. However, if the child was adopted from the State of Wyoming foster care system, a minimal adoption assistance agreement is already in place and can be adjusted in the future if necessary. Also, children are able to receive "Medicaid only" adoption assistance agreements. Under such agreements, Medicaid is received without a monthly monetary payment.
5. When may adoption assistance payments and benefits begin in your State?
Adoption assistance payments and benefits may begin in Wyoming at adoption placement if certain requirements are met. In the case of foster parent adoptions, adoption assistance payments and benefits begin at adoption finalization.
6. How are changes made to the adoption assistance agreement in your State?
- When can a parent request a change in the adoption assistance agreement?
- How does a parent request a change in the adoption assistance agreement?
- What if a parent does not receive the change they request in the adoption assistance agreement?
Wyoming reviews adoption assistance agreements on an annual basis and parents can request a change at the annual review. Parents can speak to the state adoption assistance worker and Supervisor at the local Department of Family Services (DFS) office where the adoption agreement was made and explain their child�s needs. Parents can also contact the Manager of the local DFS office to further discuss any change to the adoption assistance agreement. Wyoming DFS district contact locator.
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 Wyoming are administered by the Department of Family Services (DFS), Protective Services Division through DFS, contracted agencies, and parent/private organizations. Post-adoption services to include the following examples:
- Information and referral
- Educational materials
- Support groups
- Therapeutic intervention
- Advocacy
- Intermediary search program
- Respite
Many private organizations offer a variety of respite options in the more populous regions of the state. See the ARCH National Respite Network Respite Locator Service, search by state to locate Wyoming's respite programs. Information on access to adoption records.
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 Wyoming are administered by the Department of Health, Mental Health Division. Community mental health and physician outpatient mental health services are available. Contact Lisa Brockman at 307.777.7326 for more information regarding mental health services. Children may be eligible for services under the Children�s Special Health Program (CSH). Phone the CSH at 1.800.438.5795 or 307.777.7941 or visit Children�s Special Health Program.
See also Wyoming�s Department of Health (WDH) and Comprehensive Program List.
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?
Wyoming does not provide additional finances or services for medical or therapeutic needs not covered under their state medical plan to children receiving adoption assistance.
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 have the right to request a fair hearing any time a DFS decision affects their child�s adoption assistance benefits. Requests for reviews in Wyoming are made by contacting the Manager of the local Department of Family Services office. DFS district contact locator.
11. What is your State Web address for general adoption information?
12. What is your State Web address for adoption assistance information?
Wyoming has no link specific to adoption assistance information.
13. What is your State Web address for State-specific medical assistance information for children?
Wyoming�s state-specific medical assistance and Wyoming Medical Programs