Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES
Part 6 - Division of Family and Children's Services
Chapter 1 - DFCS Policy Manual
Section 18-6-1-G - Adoption Policy
ADOPTION ASSISTANCE
Section 18-6-1-G-IX - RE-NEGOTIATION OF ADOPTION ASSISTANCE POST FINALIZATION
Current through September 24, 2024
An adoption subsidy may be re-negotiated after the finalization of adoption throughout the minority of the child. The 2 most common reasons for re-negotiation are:
1. The child's subsidy was deferred and there is now documentation of special needs which are related to the child's risk factors noted on the Deferred Adoption Assistance Agreement:
Documentation is needed to support the above request:
Medical and / or mental health diagnosis within the last 6 months provided by physician or mental health professional.
2. The child's special needs are more severe than at the time of adoption finalization
Documentation is needed to support the above request:
Medical and /or mental health documentation that child has multiple diagnoses or a single diagnosis that causes significant impairment in multiple settings. Documentation of current and on-going treatment related to the diagnoses.
An adoptive parent can request to re-negotiate the child's adoption subsidy when either of these situations applies. The parent shall be given the MDHS-Form 431-A to complete and submit to their Adoption Assistance Specialist in the State Office. (See Appendix K)
The Adoption Assistance Specialist will review the file and make a recommendation to the Adoption Unit Director or designee who will approve or deny the request. A written response (Notice of Action) will be returned to the adoptive parent. If approved, a new Adoption Assistance Agreement will be completed and signed by all parties. The re-negotiated rate will begin as of the date the Adoption Unit received all documentation needed to determine that the child qualified for the new subsidy.
