FCASPL 129 (AA and SAMS)
Family, Children and Adult Services Procedure Letter No. 129
December 18, 2007
TO: All Family, Children and Adult Services Manual Holders
FROM: Helen E. Jones-Kelley, Director
SUBJECT: INCREASE IN THE STATE PARTICIPATION OF TITLE IV-E ADOPTION ASSISTANCE AND STATE ADOPTION MAINTENANCE SUBSIDY PAYMENTS

In accordance with Amended Substitute House Bill 119 of the 127th General Assembly, the state is increasing its participation in the Title IV-E Adoption Assistance (AA) and the State Adoption Maintenance Subsidy (SAMS) payments from $250 per month up to a maximum of $300 per month. The increase in the state's commitment to adoption subsidy payments will commence with payments for January 2008 subsidies.

What SACWIS/FACSIS Will Do Automatically:

Effective with the January 2008 subsidy payments, any adoption subsidy agreement greater than $250 per month but less than or equal to $300 per month, the state's participation will automatically be increased up to the amount reflected in Host-Family and Children Services Information System (FACSIS) or the Statewide Automated Child Welfare Information System (SACWIS).

Effective with the January 2008 subsidy payments, any adoption subsidy agreement greater than $300 per month, the state's participation will automatically be increased up to the maximum of $300. This increase does not change the public children services agency's (PCSA) responsibility of providing the county match for the AA payment in excess of $300 per month.

What SACWIS/FACSIS Will Not Do Automatically:

Effective with the January 2008 subsidy payments, for any adoption subsidy agreement equal to or less than $250 per month, the state's participation will not be automatically increased. In order for an increase to be issued, a revised adoption subsidy agreement must be entered into by the PCSA and adoptive parent(s).

What the PCSA Will Need to Do Manually:

If the PCSA decides to increase the adoption subsidy to the adoptive parent(s), the PCSA must enter the increased subsidy agreement amount into FACSIS or SACWIS by the cut-off date for the month in which the increase is to be effective. Please note that the cut-off date for the January 2008 subsidy payment is December 17, 2007. In light of the short notice, PCSAs will be able to submit requests for retroactive payments. The process to submit these requests for January payments will be sent in a separate procedure letter. Subsequent increases must follow the monthly cut-off schedule throughout the remainder of the year.

As a reminder, the decision to increase the total AA or SAMS payments to the adoptive parent(s) must be based on the needs of the child and circumstances of the adoptive parent(s) to meet those needs.

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. This should decrease confusion for the adoptive parents.

If you have questions regarding this change, please contact the Office for Children and Families Help Desk at (866) 886-3537 (Option 4) or via e-mail at help-desk-ocf@odjfs.state.oh.us.

INSTRUCTIONS:

The following chart depicts what materials should be deleted from the Family, Children and Adult Services Manual (FCASM) and what materials are to be inserted in the FCASM.

LOCATIONREMOVE AND FILE AS OBSOLETEINSERT/REPLACEMENT
TRANSMITTALS
Procedure Letters
 FCASPL No. 129