Adoption
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Adoption Assistance Program eligibility for Indian children
Prior to January 1, 2025, an Indian child who was adopted from tribal jurisdiction was not eligible for Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) benefits. This was because tribal courts generally do not terminate parental rights as part of the…
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Adoption Assistance Program Wraparound services
Wraparound services are community based mental health services. The Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) can fund Wraparound services, in lieu of out of home placement, for up to 18 months per episode or condition. Adoptive parents can request an…
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End of age requirement for Adoption Assistance Program eligibility
Effective July 1, 2024, there is no longer an age requirement for an applicable child to be eligible for Adoption Assistance Program benefits. This change means that all children will meet the age requirement for an applicable child. …
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COVID-19 end of additional foster care and adoption flexibilities
The California Department of Social Services has issued guidance regarding the end of additional flexibilities in the foster care and adoption program because of COVID-19. The flexibility to do caseworker visits by videoconference instead of in person will…
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COVID-19 independent adoptions reinstatement of in person requirements
Effective immediately, all in person requirements related to adoption specialist visits in the Independent Adoption that were waived in ACL 20-56, summarized here, are reinstated. Remote visits can only occur if the state, county, or city public health…
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COVID-19 independent adoptions
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) guidance about independent adoptions during COVID-19. This guidance is in effect until June 30, 2020. In person contact with the birth parent must continue. Alternative communication methods are not allowed. There…
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COVID-19 reassessment and redetermination for AAP and Kin-GAP
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued guidance regarding reassessment and redetermination for the Adoption Assistance Program and the Kin-GAP program because of COVID-19. Counties should send the AAP reassessment form to adoptive parents at least…
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Change to Adoption Assistance Program eligibility
The California Department of Social Services has issued instructions regarding a change in federal law about eligibility for Adoption Assistance Program benefits. Effective October 1, 2017, children who are under age 2 and will not turn age two…
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Adoption · ARC · CalFresh / SNAP · CalWORKs · CAPI · Foster Care · IHSS · KinGap · Medi-Cal · multiple programs · TCVAP
Hearing representative responsibilities and privileges process
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) has issued clarification about county hearing representative responsibilities before a hearing. The county hearing representative initially impartially reviews the hearing request. After the review, the hearings representative either orders the county…
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Adoption Assistance Program Eligibility
CDSS has issued a clarification regarding Adoption Assistance Program (AAP) eligibility. Starting October 1, 2016, children are eligible for federal AAP if they age 2 or older. Federal AAP requires the placing agency to have a Title IV-E…