The Adoption Support Specialist will:

1. (1) Follow the same subsidy-related policy and procedures, regardless if the adoption is being handled in-state or out-of-state;
2. (2) Ensure close coordination with the other state’s adoption worker, if applicable;
3. (3) Amend a subsidy if there is documentation that an “at risk” child has developed a serious physical, mental, or emotional condition;

4. (4)

   1. (A) Determine with adoptive parent if an amendment to the existing adoption subsidy is needed.
   2. (B) An amendment may be requested at any time.
   3. (C) The adoptive family must consent to any subsidy amendment (Title IV-E only);

5. (5) Determine if a change in subsidy payee is appropriate, based on documentation of divorce and custody, by:

   1. (A) Reviewing the divorce decree and custody order to determine which parent was granted full custody of the child;
   2. (B) Ensuring that the parent awarded full custody of the child in the divorce decree or custody order signed the original adoption subsidy; and
   3. (C) Rerouting the subsidy payment to the adoptive parent only after verification of steps one (1) and two (2) above;

6. (6)

   1. (A) Determine if there has been a significant change in type of condition of the child to warrant the amendment of a federally funded subsidy.
   2. (B) A state may renegotiate an adoption assistance agreement if the adoptive parents request an increase in payment due to a change in type of condition of the child.
   3. (C) A higher foster care rate would have been paid on behalf of the child if the child had still been in foster care.
   4. (D) Review and sign the “CFS-425: Application for Adoption” after the adoptive parent completes it;

7. (7)

   1. (A) Carefully review all requests for increases in payment for state funded subsidies and special subsidies.
   2. (B) As state dollars are limited, an exploration of other resources is required and must be documented in the narrative when submitting an amendment request.
   3. (C) The Director of the Division of Children and Family Services can review extraordinary circumstances at his or her discretion;
8. (8) Complete the “CFS-427: Determination of Eligibility for Adoption Assistance” if a special subsidy is requested;

9. (9) Complete a narrative to address the type of subsidy needed, the source of funding, the reason for the:

   1. (A) Subsidy;
   2. (B) Costs; and
   3. (C) Recommendation;

10. (10)

    1. (A) Send all requests, the forms, narrative, and any other documents to the Adoption Subsidy Coordinator within twenty (20) working days from the initial contact with the adoptive parent.
    2. (B) For requests of special board rate increases, forward completed packets to the Adoption Subsidy Coordinator for review and comment.
    3. (C) Communicate with the adoptive parent to explain an approval, to review the “CFS-428: Adoption Assistance” and to secure the adoptive parent’s signature on the CFS-428 within ten (10) working days from receipt of the agreement;
11. (11) Send the Adoption Subsidy Coordinator and adoptive parent a copy of the signed CFS-428;
12. (12) Send the Adoption Subsidy Coordinator a written notification within three (3) working days from the meeting with the adoptive parent to explain a disagreement with the contents of the CFS-428;
13. (13) Meet with the adoptive parent or parents to explain a denial, review the decision, and explain internal review procedures within ten (10) working days from receipt of the written notification to deny;

14. (14)

    1. (A) In the Division of Children and Family Services’ information management system, if subsidy amendment is approved, change the subsidy ending date on the adoption subsidy screen to stop the existing adoption subsidy.
    2. (B) Then, click clear and enter the new amended subsidy with the new beginning and ending dates and the subsidy amount.
    3. (C) Request the approval for the amended subsidy amount;
15. (15) Prepare the CFS-428 if the adoption subsidy application is approved, and route the CFS- 428 to the Adoption Manager for approval, then send the CFS-428 to the director or designee for signature; and

16. (16) Notify the adoptive parent in writing if the application is denied, to explain the:

    1. (A) Reason for the denial;
    2. (B) Internal review; and
    3. (C) Administrative Fair Hearing procedures.

Codification Notes: This section as promulgated prior to codification into the Code of Arkansas Rules provided as follows: "01/2021"