Adoption subsidy is available to assist adoptive families in meeting the special needs of the children they adopt. SRS staff are responsible for identifying children who have special needs that present financial barriers to adoption. Subsidy can include services for children who have significant medical, emotional, or developmental needs. It may include a special one-time payment to provide for legal fees or an ongoing monthly financial subsidy. The type and amount of subsidy is negotiated with the prospective adoptive parents. Consideration is given to the specific needs of the child, income, and available resources. Subsidy often is used for children who have experienced abuse or neglect or have ongoing pre-existing needs that are not covered by family health insurance.
| Adoption Subsidy | |
| Average Monthly Persons | 5,725 |
| Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006 | $19,549,297 |
| State General Funds | $6,861,962 |
When the courts have determined that a child cannot go home, permanent guardianship is an alternative to adoption for some children. Permanent guardianship is an option when a child would like to maintain ties to the extended family. For instance, permanent guardianship works well for children living with relatives who are willing to raise the child, but not willing to drastically change their legal relationship. Permanent guardianship gives the family legal authority to make plans and assures the child that they will be able to stay with the family. If parental rights have not been terminated, the parents must be in agreement. In limited instances, a subsidy is available to assist permanent guardians to meet the special needs of the children in their care.
| Permanent Guardianship | |
| Average Monthly Persons | 67 |
| Actual Expenditures---SFY 2006 | $211,129 |
Youth between the age of fifteen and eighteen who are currently in Foster Care are provided independent living services by the Foster Care and Adoption contractors to assist them in preparing for independence and self-sufficiency. The contractors will also accommodate eligible youth who are in the custody of JJA. These youth may participate in all organized and scheduled life skills/independent living activities. A curriculum of topics includes the following: employment, money management, consumer information, transportation, legal information, educational/vocational information, housing, community resources, health/wellness, leisure activities and transition services.
Young people between the ages of eighteen and twenty-three who have been in the Foster Care system may be eligible for services and supports to help make the transition to self-sufficiency. Financial services are also available to eligible youth for post secondary education, certified training programs, and independent living subsidy. This includes the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) for education assistance, which is a separate funding grant under the Chafee Independence Act. Independent Living Program services for eighteen to twenty-three year olds offered through the SRS, JJA or tribal custody will be provided Independent Living Services through SRS. These youth may also be eligible for tuition waivers through the Kansas Board of Regents.
| Independent Living Services - Chafee and Education and Training Voucher Funds (ETV) |
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| Total Children Served by SRS | 547 |
| Actual SRS Expenditures - FY 2006 | $1,929,239 |
| State General Fund | $385,950 |
"Does SRS handle all adoptions of Kansas children?"
SRS handles only the adoptions of children who are in state custody. Typically, a child comes into state custody as a result of abuse or neglect and then enters the foster care system. When it is not possible for the family to be reunited, parental rights are relinquished or terminated. The child is then available for adoption.
"Does SRS have any babies to adopt?"
SRS rarely has children available for adoption under age 1.