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Title IV-E Adoption Assistance

Program Description

The Adoption Assistance Program provides funds to States to facilitate the timely placement of children, whose special needs or circumstances would otherwise make it difficult to place, with adoptive families. Authorized under title IV-E of the Social Security Act, and amendments, the Adoption Assistance Program provides Federal matching funds of 50 to 83 percent, depending on the state's per capita income. Funding is contingent upon an approved State plan to administer or supervise the administration of the program. The State must submit yearly estimates of program expenditures as well as quarterly reports of estimated and actual program expenditures. Funds are available for a one-time payment to assist with the costs of adopting a child as well as for monthly subsidies to adoptive families to assist with the care of the eligible child. Additionally, funds are available for: administrative costs to manage the program; training staff and adoptive parents; adoptive parent recruitment; and other related expenses.

The fifty (50) States, District of Columbia and Puerto Rico are eligible to participate in the Adoption Assistance Program awards. The average monthly number of children receiving IV-E Adoption Assistance in FY 2003 was approximately 315,000.

Budget Information

The program is funded at $1,797,000,000 for FY 2006.