$14.5 Million Awarded to States for Increasing Adoptions

2,708 More Children Adopted

WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families (ACF) today announced $14.5 million in payments to 24 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico for increasing the number of children adopted from state-supervised foster care in fiscal year 2004.

“A permanent, loving home is important to helping children grow into healthier, happier adults,” HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt said. “This administration is rewarding states for increasing the number of adoptions and helping states strengthen their programs so even more children can grow up in a permanent, loving home. Through these rewards, we are recognizing states’ efforts to increase adoptions and strengthen their programs to help children and families.”

ACF is providing an incentive payment to states that completed more adoptions in 2004 than in the baseline year, which is the higher year of 2002 or 2003. Payments are also given for increases in the adoption of older children, as well as for children with special needs. States receive $4,000 for every child adopted beyond its best year’s total, plus a payment of $4,000 for every child aged nine and older, and $2,000 for every special needs child adopted above the baseline year. ...

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Administration for Children and Families

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