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Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

Program Descriptions

93.603:  Adoption Incentive Payments

Popular Name:  Adoption Incentive Payments

Objectives:  To provide incentives to States to increase annually the number of foster child adoptions and special needs adoptions.

PROGRAM AND AWARD	FINANCIAL AND INFORMATION CONTACTS
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS	FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO.
APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS	INFORMATION CONTACTS
RELATED PROGRAMS	ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS
PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS	POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS

93.603 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

Applicant Eligibility:  Applications are not required. The Children's Bureau shall determine the numbers of foster child adoptions and the special needs adoptions in a State for fiscal years 1995 through 2002, on the basis of AFCARS data as reported by each State and accepted by the Children's Bureau no later than May 15, of the fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal year in which the adoptions were finalized (i.e., the "earning year").

Beneficiary Eligibility:  Beneficiaries are those children and families eligible under Title IV-B and Title IV-E of the Social Security Act, as amended.

Credentials/Documentation:  The Children's Bureau must receive and approve State reported AFCARS data submitted by November 14 and May 15 of the fiscal year subsequent to the fiscal year in which the adoptions were finalized (i.e., the "earning year").

93.603 APPLICATION AND AWARD PROCESS:

Preapplication Coordination:  This program is excluded from coverage under E.O. 12372.

Application Procedure:  States are automatic applicants.

Award Procedure:  Incentive payments will be issued in two awards, in the fiscal year subsequent to the earning year. The first payment will be based on AFCARS data submitted no later than November 14 of the fiscal year following the earning year. The second payment will be based on AFCARS data submitted no later that May 15 of the fiscal year following the earning year. AFCARS data must be accepted and approved by the Children's Bureau.

Deadlines:  AFCARS reports must be received no later then May 15 and November 14, for subsequent fiscal years to be considered for incentive payments.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time:  Not applicable.

Appeals:  Not applicable.

Renewals:  None. Each "earning year" (fiscal years 1998-2002), State adoption data received through AFCARS will be considered on its own.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals:  All State Agencies are considered if the number of adoptions exceed the baseline number of adoptions.

Examples of Funded Projects:  Not applicable.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance:  Not applicable.

93.603 RELATED PROGRAMS:

93.603 PROGRAM ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

93.603 FINANCIAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE INFO:

Federal Agency:  ADMINISTRATION FOR CHILDREN AND FAMILIES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Type of Assistance:  Formula Grants.

Obligations:  (Grants) FY 99 $19,994,000; FY 00 est $41,791,000 and FY 01 est $41,791,000.

Budget Account Number:  75-1536-0-1-506.

Authorization:  Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, Public Law 105-89; Social Security Act, Title IV-B, Subparts 1-2, as amended; Social Security Act, Title IV-E, as amended.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature:  ACYF-CB-IM-97-05, issued 7/7/97; ACYF-CB-PI-98-07, issued April 30, 1998; ACYF-CB-PI-99-04, issued March 5, 1999.

93.603 INFO CONTACTS:

Regional or Local Office:  ACF Regional Offices.

Headquarters Office:  Paul Kirisitz, Director, Division of Program Implementation, Children's Bureau, Administration for Children, Youth and Families, 330 C St., SW., Washington, DC 20447, Phone: (202) 205-6733.

(See Appendix IV for more contact info.)

93.603 ASSISTANCE CONSIDERATIONS:

Formula and Matching Requirements:  The adoption incentive payment payable to a State for a fiscal year shall be equal to the sum of A) $4,000, multiplied by the number of foster child adoptions in the State during the fiscal year which exceeds the base number of foster child adoptions for the State for the fiscal year; and B) $2,000, multiplied by the number of special needs adoption in the State during the fiscal year which exceeds the base number of special needs adoptions for the State for the fiscal year. There are no matching requirements for these funds.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance:  Payments to a State in a fiscal year shall remain available for use by the State through the end of the succeeding fiscal year.

Uses and Use Restrictions:  A State shall not expend an amount paid to the State under this grant except to provide to children of families any activity or service (including post-adoption services) that may be provided under Part B or E of Title IV of the social Security Act. Amounts expended by a State in accordance with the preceding sentence shall be disregarded in determining State expenditures for purposes of Federal matching payments under Sections 423, 434, and 474 of the Social Security Act.

93.603 POST ASSISTANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Reports:  States must identify in the Child and Family Services Plan (CFSP) or (Annual Progress and Services Report (APSR) as applicable (due June 30 of each year), the service they have provided to children and families as a result of the expenditure of adoption incentive payments. Should more than one fiscal year's incentive funds be expended during a given reporting period, the report should reflect the services provided and identify the fiscal year's funds expended. Actual expenditures of incentive funds must be reported annually on Form SF-269, Financial Status Report.

Audits:  In accordance with 45 CFR 74.

Records:  Currently, none are required.