Texas State Adoption Assistance Program

https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Adoption/default.aspOpens in a new tab

Texas state-specific medical assistance information:
https://hhs.texas.gov/services/health/medicaid-chipOpens in a new tab

Texas’s adoption assistance information:
https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/
Adoption/adoption_assistance.aspOpens in a new tab

Texas Statute §162.301 to §162.306:
http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Docs/FA/
htm/FA.162.htm#162.304Opens in a new tab

Texas Administrative Code, Title 40, Part 19, Chapter 700, Subchapter H, Adoption Assistance Program:
https://texas-sos.appianportalsgov.com/rules-and-meetings?chapter=700&interface=VIEW_TAC&part=19&subchapter=H&title=40

Child Protection Services Handbook, Section 1700 to 1763 Adoption Assistance Program:
https://www.dfps.texas.gov/handbooks/CPS/Files/CPS_pg_1700.asp#CPS_1700
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In Texas a child with special needs is defined as a child who has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to adoptive placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• the child is at least six years old;
• the child is at least two years old and a member of a racial or ethnic group that exits foster care at a slower pace than other racial or ethnic groups;
• the child is being adopted with a sibling or is joining a sibling who has been adopted by the parents or for whom the parents already have permanent managing conservatorship or an equivalent arrangement in another state; or
• the child has a verifiable physical, mental, or emotional handicapping condition, as established by an appropriately qualified professional’s diagnosis.
• the child has been determined by the Social Security Administration to meet all the medical or disability requirements for eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits

Children must be legally free for adoption to be eligible for adoption assistance and must be younger than 18 years old at the time of adoptive placement.

For children whose foster care service level is Basic at the time of adoptive placement, the maximum adoption assistance payment is $400 per month. For children whose foster care service level is Moderate or higher at the time of adoptive placement, the maximum adoption assistance payment is $545 per month. There is also an Enhanced Adoption Assistance rate, there are very fewOpens in a new tabOpens in a new tab children who are eligible for this program, but it can provide up to the foster care rate the child was receiving, If a child’s level of needs change later, the rate cannot.

Typically, a child may receive adoption assistance only through the month of his or her 18th birthday. For youth that were adopted on or after their 16th birthday, they may have adoption assistance extended up to their 21st birthday if they meet certain criteria.

Post-adoption services in Texas are overseen by DFPS through contracts with outside agencies in each region. DFPS post-adoption some of services include the following:

• Case work/case management
• Counseling servcies
• Parent training
• Residential treatment (limited)
• Support groups
• Respite Care
• Information and referral

To find the post adoption contact for your region visit, https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/
Adoption/adoption_support.aspOpens in a new tabOpens in a new tabOpens in a new tab

Texas offers guardianship assistance, otherwise known as DFPS Permanency Care Assistance, to certain kinship caregivers who become certified foster parents and obtain Permanent Managing Conservatorship of a child they care for. Parents can find more information at https://www.dfps.texas.gov/handbooks/CPS/Files/CPS_pg_1600.asp#CPS_1600Opens in a new tabOpens in a new tabOpens in a new tab

Children who were the subject of an adoption assistance agreement qualify for tuition and fees waiver if the youth attends a state-supported and funded college or university in Texas. Youth who age out of foster care also qualify for the tuition and fee waiver program. The school’s financial aid office can provide youth with additional information. For more information, parents should contact a DFPS regional adoption assistance specialist (https://www.dfps.texas.gov/Child_Protection/Adoption/adoption_support.asp#contacts).