Indiana State Adoption Assistance Program

https://www.indianaadoptionprogram.org/
Indiana’s state-specific medical assistance information:
https://www.in.gov/fssa/ompp/index.html

Indiana’s adoption assistance information:
https://www.in.gov/dcs/adoption/the-legal-process/adoption-assistance-faq/

Indiana Code, Adoption Subsidy IC 31-19-26.5:
https://law.justia.com/codes/indiana/2022/title-31/article-19/chapter-26-5/section-31-19-26-5-1/

Indiana Administrative Code, Adoption Assistance and Guardianship Assistance Programs, 465 IAC Article 4: http://iac.iga.in.gov/iac//iac_title?iact=465

Indiana DCS Adoption Policy Manual Chapter 10.14-10.15 and Chapter 14.08-14.12: https://www.in.gov/dcs/policies/child-welfare-policies/

In Indiana a child is considered special needs if one of the following conditions exists:

1. the child is two years old or older; or
2. the child is a member of a sibling group that will be adopted by the same family at the same time and at least one child is age two or older; or
3. the child has a medical condition, or a physical, mental, or emotional disability that is expected to require continuous or long-term medical treatment as determined by a physician licensed to practice in Indiana or another state or territory

Maximum rate is set by the foster care rates, but families must negotiate the rate.  The 2023 foster care rates are:

Beginning June 27, 2022 the amount offered in negotiation cannot be less than 50% of the foster care per diem.  

Continuation of adoption assistance after the adoptees 18th birthday depends various criteria that vary depending on funding type of adoption assistance Title IV-E (AAP) or County or State Adoption Subsidy (CAS/SAS).  You can review the information at Indiana DCS policy 14.10, https://www.in.gov/dcs/files/14.10.pdf

Indiana provides post-permanency services to support families.  Services that are available will depend on funding and the child and family situation.  You can contact the program at 888-25-ADOPT (888-252-3678), your county DCS office or regional adoption consultants, https://www.in.gov/dcs/files/Adoption_Consultants_Map.pdf

A brochure about the program, https://www.indianaadoptionprogram.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Post-Permanency-Services-brochure-6.27.22-edited-3-21-23.pdf

Respite is one of the post permanency services that maybe provided in some cases.

The Guardianship Assistance Program (GAP) is meant to help families where reunification and adoption have been ruled out and Guardianship has been determined to be the best permanency option for a child or sibling group.  Visit this page to read more about eligibility for this program, https://www.in.gov/dcs/permanency/guardianship-assistance-program/

Indiana has an adoption tax credit.  Families will file schedule 5 and the adoption credit is on line 10.  To claim the credit you must file an adoption tax credit on your federal return, including any credit forward from the five preceding tax years.  The amount of the credit is 20% of the federal credit allowed per child, or $2,500 per child, whichever is less (including any credit carryforward credit allowed).