Tuesday, the 28th of January 2003

The opinions and statements made in this chat session belong to the individuals posting them and appear in unedited form to promote the free exchange of information. However, they may not represent the views and/or policies of the Georgia Center for Resources and Support.

chatadmin: Our guest today is Gail Greer, the Program Manager for Post Adoption Services at the DHR Office of Adoptions.

Anna G: - has joined the chat -

Gail: Hello everyone, I am glad to be here with you today. Thank you for inviting me.

chatadmin: We are going to talk about Adoption Assistance and other post adoption issues today. Welcome, Gail!

chatadmin: I have received several questions to ask, but anyone can join in...

chatadmin: First, Should all families adopting through DFCS have an adoption assistance agreement?

cindy: - has joined the chat -

Kim: - has joined the chat -

Barbara: - has joined the chat -

Gail: All families should apply for the Adoption Assistance prior to finalizing their adoption.Families who are adopting children who are not special needs at the time of placement should be signing a deferred adoption assistance agreement.

baer: - has joined the chat -

Joe: - has joined the chat -

chatadmin: And they learn how to do this through DFCS, Right?

Gail: Yes.

chatadmin: Can you tell us about special services, that go along with the medicaid and financial benefits of Assistance?

ktgresh: - has joined the chat -

m13: - has joined the chat -

Gail: The special services funds are available only for children who have been in the permanent custody of DHR and placed in an adoptive home by DHR.

chatadmin: For those joining us late, please read the "chat log" at the top of the page.

chatadmin: What are the services?

jlewis: - has joined the chat -

Gail: There is an exception to this for Relatives who are adopting children for whom they have been given permanent custody as a result of a TPR filed by DFCS.

Anna G: Suppose there was a family that adopted through another agency (not DFACS) and they did not need assistance at the time of adoption, and their circumstances have changed (for the worse, financially) can they receive adoption assistance now?

Gail: The services may include but are not limited to, Respite, Child Care for low income families, orthodontics, special equipment not covered by medicaid or personal insurance , counseling services...

Catherine Da: I am concerned about dental care through adolption assistance- especially thoes children needing braces. How is this handled?

cindy: - has joined the chat -

Gail: Anna G., first of all Adoption Assistance relates to the special needs of a particular child. If IV-E eligibility has not been established prior to finalization there would not be a way to assist the family...

rosalief: how are you making families aware of the services they may be able to receive?

chatadmin: Let's stay on placement by agencies other than DFCS for a few moments.

m13: If there is not an orthodontist who will accept medicaid in your area are there other alternatives?

Deborah Henry: - has joined the chat -

cindy: - has joined the chat -

Gail: To finish answering Anna's question... If there was a deferred application for AA then they could just ask for a determination of special needs(as long as the IV-E eligibility is established). If neither of these conditions have been met you cannot apply after the fact or post finallization. If the IV-E determination has been made but a deferred app. not signed the family may request a fair hearing. Request is made to DFCS

chatadmin: Gail, tell us about subsidy for private agency infants. How is IV-E done?

Gail: For Catherine D and M13 both of these would be handled through your DFCS office in the families county as a special services request.

Gail: Rosalie, we are making Packets available to all families via the Center, the DFCS offices, and at MAPP trainings, and also via the Web page and toll free number for the GA. Center.

andreas: - has joined the chat -

chatadmin: Should all private agencies be considering future adoption assistance needs when they take termination of parental rights voluntarily?

Gail: IV-E eligibility is dependant upon a child being removed from an AFDC eligible home by a court order containing contrary to the welfare language or a child being eligible for SSI benefits...

m13: how does respite care work and how do you qualify to receive this service

chatadmin: Can private agency infants become IV-E eligible?

Deborah Henry: At what point does adoption assistance payment get tranferred from the child's county to the family's county?

Gail: When a private agency is the legal custodian of a child by virtue of a voluntary surrender the agency must petition the juvenile court and obtain a judicial determination that has the specific language. This petition must be initiated within 6 months of the child living with its parent....

Gail: Usually the court order is an ex parte

Gail: t hat includes

cindy: - has joined the chat -

Anna G: Am I right to assume that SSI benefits are based on disability, would it be more beneficial for a child to receive SSI or AA?

cindy: - has joined the chat -

ktgresh: Is the petition presented in juvenile court only when the birthparent voluntarily relinquishing is a minor, or in all cases because the infant is, of course, a minor? Is there a standard Petition the court wants to see?

Gail: ex parte' order that includes the contrary to the welfare language and does not require birth parent attendance at the hearing.

cindy: what if the courts denied the petition can they appeal?

Gail: Kt gresh, only when it is a voluntary relinquishment to a private agency. There is not a standard petition, however the relinquishment should be addressed and the reasons given for why it would be contrary to the child's welfare to return home.

AParks: - has joined the chat -

Gail: Cindy the courts would not deny the petition, to my knowledge.

chatadmin: Deborah Henry had a ? re transfer of AA

Deborah Henry: At what point does adoption assistance get transferred from the child's county to the family's county?

Gail: Anna G., SSI is based on disability and income . If the family does choose SSI over AA the family would still want to make certain that an agreement was signed prior to finalization. That way if SSI is terminated AA can begin. A child may receive both benefits, however the SSI check will be reduced $ for $ of the amount of the AA check.

cindy: are the private agency adoption eligible for the one time assistance to help with adoption?

Gail: Ms. Henry, the transfer depends on whether it is a public or private agency adoption.

Deborah Henry: private agency

Gail: Cindy...Yes, if the child is determined to have special needs.

ktgresh: Private Agency-related again: If the Petition is initiated within 6 mos of the child living with the adoptive parents, but also finalized within that time (i.e. before the Order is back and application made to DFCS), is that a problem? Basically, I'm wondering if our families should make appliation to DFCS for a deferred agreement at the same time they file their Petition with the court and wait to see if the application is approved pending receipt of the Order.

Gail: Ms. Henry, the transfer should occur immediately after finalization.

AParks: Gail, I have a family that is adopting a sibling group of 4 from VA. 3 are arriving NOT IV-E eligable but have a recorded history of abuse/neglect. How do I advocate for them?

Gail: ktgresh, Good question! If there is a deferred agreement it should not matter. The deferred agreement can be applied for as soon as the child is placed in the home. The private agency should initiate the petition immediately. Even prior to placement.

cindy: after a child reaches the age of 18 if they are considered special needs and unable to live on their own would sSSi start then?

Gail: Amy, make sure the family discusses with VA. the benefits that the chldren are eligilble to receive i.e., AA benefits, medicaid, respite, child care, etc. before finalizing their adoption.

Barbara: Private agency/special needs child- is one time adoption assistance available if adopting family lives in another state?

chatadmin: We have quite a few questions for Gail to catch up on. Please hold new streams of thought for a few minutes! Thanks,

Gail: Cindy, the 18 y.o. can apply for SSI at that time, but this benefit is not guaranteed. They would also consider any income the 18 y.o. has at that time.

chatadmin: m13 asked how to apply for respite, how it works and who can get it.

Gail: Barbara, it should be the state of residence that is responsible for non-recurring if this is the only benefit available to the child.

chatadmin: Gail, could you tell us about AA available to families adopting internationally?

Gail: Respite: Children who are eligible for special svs funds may receive respite unless they receive a high per diem based amount of adoption assistance. For eligible families they may receive up to 20 hrs. per month. Application is made thru the local DFCS office. Families find their own providers.

Deborah Henry: Does the family's income get factored in to the adoption assistance amount?

m13: there are currently two siblings whose birth parents live in ga they have been living in ny with relatives for 3 years the birth parents still live in ga four of their siblings have been adopted through DFACS the family they currently live with would like to persue adoption the siblings are 10 and 11 what steps need to be taken to get them available for adoption?

cindy: does this matter if private or DFCS adoption?

Gail: International Families: Non-recurring adoption assisstance is available (up to $2,000 per child) if the child has special needs. Special needs to be determined before finalization. Fax any medical or psychiatric information to me, Gail that substantiates the special needs. **special needs determination should be made before finalization in the foreign country. Applications can be obtained from the county DFCS office via the adoption worker.

andreas: When the adoptive parents divorce, and custody of the adopted children is given to the grandparents, how can the grandparents get the adoption assistance the children had been getting transferred to them?

Gail: Fax # for Gail: 404-657-9498

Gail: Ms. Henry,

rosalief: ?

Gail: Ms. Henry, AA is not based on a means test.

Gail: M13, the family would need to go throug the Interstate compact.(ICPC)

Deborah Henry: If a child is being tutored (the cost being covered via funds from wraparound services) prior to finalization, will they be eligible for assistance for this post finalization? If yes how would they apply?

Gail: M13, the family would possibly have to contact a private attorney if this is not a DFCS related case.

Gail: Andreas, AA cannot be transferred. The Gparents would have to adopt.

ktgresh: Gail, does medical and/or psychiatric info substantiating the child's special needs or potential special needs (i.e. evidence of prenatal drug exposure, diagnosis of Down's syndrome, etc.) need to be faxed to you for all private agency applications for AA (both domestic AND international)?

chatadmin: Gail, if the grandparents adopt, is AA available?

m13: What steps need to be taken to get DFCS involved? The children were taken from the birth family by the relatives because of abuse issues the four siblings in ga were put into foster care in ga before adoption took place by relatives living locally

Gail: Ms. Henry, we have a tutoring program available at this time, however, there is a waiting list. We cannot promise continuing any svcs a child receives. Hopefully, the AA benefit will be applied towards these particular special needs.

chatadmin: We will take only a few more questions, since our hour is up soon. Gail has agreed to stay on until about 2:15.

Gail: ktgresh, sounds like that would be the easiest way to handle it. However, if a deferred agreement will be requested(not just non-recurring) the county DFCS office should be contacted.

Gail: ChatAdmin: If the grand parents should adopt they may be eligible, but it gets complicated. Pls contact DFCS or the GA Center for assistance.

Gail: m13, If the family and the children are now living in anothr state then they would contact DFCS in that state.

m13: Thank you this has been very helpful

m13: - has left the chat -

Gail: m13, If you are a social worker in GA. please feel free to contact me for more information.

chatadmin: Have we missed any of your questions, visitors???

Gail: If there is no DFCS involvement in M13's situation they should contact the juvenile court and/or an attorney.

Deborah Henry: Thank you for all the information

andreas: Tk you

Anna G: Thank you Mrs. Greer, for a great discussion.

Gail: Do you have any other questions for me?

chatadmin: If there are no more questions, I would like to thank Gail. This has been a very lively chat discussion. I hope that all our guests have a copy of the Ga. booklet on Adoption Assistance. If not, call us for one at 1-866-A-PARENT.

Kim: - has left the chat -

Gail: Thank you all for having me. I have enjoyed chatting with you.

andreas: - has left the chat -

ktgresh: - has left the chat -

Deborah Henry: Is there any way to get a copy of the questions that were asked?

Kim: - has joined the chat -

Joe: - has left the chat -

jlewis: Is it possible to get a transcipt of the chat. I had to take a phone call and missed it

Catherine Da: - has left the chat -

jlewis: obviously deborah and I are on the same wavelength

Gail: Yes, the chat will be available to you in the next day or so. You can also go to the Chat log and read it now.

jlewis: ah ha...thanks

Gail: The transcript of this CHAT will be available on the website under the Chat button as an Archive

Deborah Henry: Thank you, what a relief!

AParks: I would also like to print a copy of the transcript and copy it for my local DFCS workers. I have encountered numerous questions similar to those in the chat. Thanks.

jlewis: Thanks for taking the time, Gail! I will look forward to reading the discussion. Have a great day.

Gail: We should do a chat for DFCS one day.

Barbara: - has left the chat -

chatadmin: Email me a request at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it and I will send you a print copy if you send your address.

AParks: Thank you, Gail! Your extensive knowledge never ceases to amaze me. Have a great day.

Gail: - has left the chat -

AParks: - has left the chat -

chatadmin: - has left the chat -