State Office Of Children & Family Services Issues Guidance On The New Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP)
The purpose of this Administrative Directive (ADM) is to provide comprehensive information and guidance about the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (KinGAP). KinGAP is a new program in New York State which goes into effect on April 1, 2011. It is designed to provide a monthly payment and other benefits to qualified relative guardians of foster children who have been discharged from foster care. Read More
Subsidized Kinship Guardianship Effective April 1, 2011
New York State enacts a Kinship Guardian Assistance Program, effective April 1, 2011. In a move that takes advantage of Federal Assistance, New York has recently adopted legislation that would enable relatives who care for children in foster care to obtain guardianship of the child at an early stage of the placement with financial assistance from the state. The financial assistance which will be provided is similar in the type and amount of financial assistance already being provided to individuals adopting children who are in foster care. Reimbursement of up $2000 is also available to assist relatives with the costs associated with becoming guardian including legal fees. There are important requirements that must be met to establish eligibility for the assistance. Read More
Domestic Relations Law of New York Amended
Effective September 17, 2010 the Domestic Relations Law of New York state Section 110, which defines who may adopt a child was amended to include “any two unmarried adult intimate partners”. The language of the previous statute only provided for adult married or adult single individuals to adopt. Even though the adoption of a child by an unmarried couple, which has included “same sex partners”, has long been the accepted practice in New York State, this important legislative enactment codifies the practice into law. Read More
Appellate Court Approves “Special Immigrant Juvenile Status” In A Post Adoption Proceeding
In a recent matter, the Appellate Court granted special immigrant juvenile status to an adopted individual over the age of 18, more than three years after the adoption matter was finalized. These findings are a prerequisite for an application to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services. Read More
Federal Income Tax Credit Now Available for Costs Associated with the Adoption of a Child
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Accredited, Temporarily Accredited, and Approved Hague Adoption Service Providers
The following adoption service providers have been accredited/approved/temporarily accredited through either the Council on Accreditation (COA) or the Colorado Department of Human Services (CO). Only those adoption service providers who have been accredited, temporarily accredited, or approved by either COA or CO will be able to provide adoption services for Hague adoption cases. The Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption entered into force for the United States on April 1, 2008.
U.S Employers Provide Workers with Assistance to Adopt
Adoption service providers will be added to the list on the Department of State website on a rolling basis as they become accredited or approved. Some may be removed if they are found not to be in substantial compliance with the Hague regulations and subject to adverse actions.