Adoption Subsidy Negotiations Checklist

Do you need a lawyer?

Consider:

• Is the State Agency cooperative and helpful to you?

• Are you comfortable evaluating subsidy entitlement yourself?

• Do you need more assistance than is being offered?

• Does your child have special needs the state does not acknowledge

If you do need a lawyer:

• Get  referral for a knowledgeable attorney from other adoptive parents other attorneys and adoption professionals.

• Interview prospective attorneys.

• Ask how many adoption subsidy cases they have handled.

• How would they charge you?

• What is their relationship to the State Agency?

• Do they know your social worker?

____	Get a file folder to organize information.
____	Gather all the child’s available legal and medical documents.
____	Gather names, addresses, phone numbers, fax numbers and e-mail   addresses for all important contact people and service providers.
____	Establish a log of contacts.
____	Establish a calendar reminder system.
____	Determine if your child is a special needs child.
____	List all special need factors and all medical, psychological, educational limitations and needs.
____	Gather documentation of all needs, including diagnosis, recommended treatment, prognosis and cost of recommended treatment.
____	Determine desired package of adoption assistance.
____	Determine maximum attainable adoption on assistance package.
____	Adjust expectations accordingly.
____	Explore alternate sources of services and/or funds.
____	Identify the strengths and weaknesses of your case.
____	Frame a mutual and family supportive goal for you and the agency.
____	Make initial request.
____	Keep the process moving.
____	Reduce the agreement to a detailed agreement.
____	Log payments received.

 

 

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