In accordance with Amended Substitute House Bill 1 of the 128th General Assembly, the state is decreasing its participation in the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance (AA). The state will provide the non-federal match for AA payments at or below $240 per month per child, beginning with the September subsidy payments. County agencies will be responsible for providing the non-federal match amount for payments above $240.

The state's participation will automatically be decreased for any subsidy greater than $240 in Host-Family and Children Services Information System (FACSIS) or the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS). Public children services agencies (PCSA) will be required to provide the non-federal match for the amount greater than $240 and should refer to JFS 01453 "Adoption Assistance Agreement" to re-calculate their share if applicable.

As a reminder, per rule 5101:2-49-12 of the Ohio Administrative Code, the adoptive parent(s) and the PCSA may agree to modify/amend the payment amount or provision for services. As required by federal law, any modification/amendment of the Title IV-E AA payment amount must be made with the concurrence of the adopting parents(s) based on changes in circumstances of the adopting parents and needs of the child. When the parties agree to a change in the AA payment amount, a modified/amended agreement shall be completed and signed by both the adoptive parent(s) and the PCSA. A copy shall be given to the adoptive parent(s) and a copy shall be retained by the PCSA.

ODJFS encourages each PCSA to notify adoptive parents of the adjustments in the warrant or the electronic funds transfer (EFT) being paid by the state and the county.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart depicts what materials should be inserted into the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM).