What would you do if you got a letter from your state government that asked if you would willingly accept a reduction in the financial support for your child? This is exactly what happened to parents who had adopted children with special needs in Vancouver, Washington.
Adoption does not happen instantaneously. It is a long process, and it requires a lot of strength and patience. Prospective parents will need to show that they are ready to be a good parent, both emotionally and financially. Parents who choose to adopt a child who has special needs must be ready for the challenges they will face.
Many, if not all, states have an Adoption Support Program. The purpose is to give financial assistance to adoptive parents so that they can continue to provide for their child’s needs. Families rely on this assistance to pay for medical bills, too.
In Vancouver, Washington, support payments range from around $400 to about $1,400 per child, according to Department of Social and Health Services spokeswoman Chris Case. Costs are split 50 -50 with the federal government. Those eligible for the support payments are parents who have adopted children who have mental, physical, or emotional disabilities.
Parents in Clark County, Washington, received a rather ominous letter. The letters were sent to more than 9,000 parents who had adopted children that had special needs. It read:
“The department asks that you review your family’s financial situation to determine whether your family can accommodate a reduction in your current adoption support monthly payment.” It goes on to say “The amount can be any amount you determine is feasible.”
I imagine this letter frightened, or caused stress to, the parents that received it. The letter also asked those who agree to a reduction in support to fill out a form and send it back to the state’s Adoption Support Program.
They are not facing a mandatory reduction in financial support right now, but the implication is that this is something that may be forced upon them if not enough families are able to get by with less financial aid. Right now, the state has contracts with the families that prevent the state from cutting the amount of financial support that a family is receiving unless the family gives permission for that to happen.
I think these letters are making families worry about what they will do if the state cuts down on the amount of support that they are currently receiving. We are heading into the holiday season, when every family has extra expenses to cope with. Perhaps the state of Washington could have selected a less stressful time of the year to drop this ominous letter on parents.
Image by Images_of_Money on Flickr