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A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• African American and two years of age or older
• Member of a sibling group of three or more children placed at the same time with the same family
• Documented mental or physical disability
• Documented emotional disturbance/problem
• Documented high risk of developing a mental or physical disability

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• Racial or ethnic factors (any child of color)
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children
• Physical or mental disability
• Emotional disturbance
• A recognized high risk of physical or mental disease
• Any combination of the above factors or conditions

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older
• Racial or ethnic factors (African American, Native American, Hispanic, Asian or other heritage)
• Member of a sibling group to be placed together
• Physical, mental or developmental disability
• Emotional disturbance
• High risk of physical or mental disease
• High risk of developmental disability
• High risk of severe emotional disturbance if removed from the care of foster parents or relatives
• Any combination of the above factors

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Two years of age or older and a child of color
• Nine years of age or older and Caucasian
• Member of any sibling group being placed together who share at least one biological parent and who have either lived together or otherwise developed a bond prior to adoptive placement
• Severe medical or psychological needs that require ongoing rehabilitation or treatment
• At high risk for the development of a serious physical, mental or emotional condition, if a medical professional specializing in the area provides documentation of the condition for which the child is considered at risk. Note: No adoption assistance payment can be made without documentation that the child has developed the actual condition.

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Three years of age or older
• Race, ethnicity, color, or language that is a barrier to adoption
• Member of a sibling group that should remain together
• Mental, physical, emotional, or medical disability certified by a licensed professional
• Parental background of a medical or behavioral nature that can be determined to adversely affect the development of the child

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Seven years of age or older
• Member of a sibling group or two or more children placed intact in an adoptive placement
• Physical disability (such as hearing, vision, or physical impairment; neurological conditions; disfiguring defects; and, heart defects)
• Mental retardation (such as developmental delay or disability, perceptual or speech/language disability, or a metabolic disorder)
• Emotional disturbance
• Developmental disability resulting in educational delays or significant learning processing difficulties
• Hereditary factors that have been document by a physician or psychologist
• Children at high-risk of developing a disability (such as HIV-positive, drug-exposed, or alcohol-exposed in utero)
• Ethnic background or membership in a minority group which may be difficult to place

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• Two years of age or older and a member of a minority
• Member of a sibling group of two are more children to be placed together
• Diagnosis of a physical, mental or emotional handicapping condition, or at high risk of developing such a condition

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• Member of a minority race or ethnic background
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children to be adopted in the same placement
• Mental or emotional condition(s), verified by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or other qualified professional
• Medical condition, physical handicap, or disease which requires ongoing medical attention as verified by a physician

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Two years of age or older
• Race
• Ethnic background
• Membership in a sibling group of two or more children who should be placed together
• Physical or mental condition
• A child for whom an adoptive placement has not been made within six months after he is legally available for adoptive placement

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• African American or racially mixed parentage
• Member of a sibling group of any age, provided two or more members remain together for purposes of adoption
• Mentally handicapped
• Physically handicapped
• Emotionally handicapped
• Significant emotional ties with their foster parent(s)

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• African American heritage and one year of age or older
• Member of a sibling group of three or more children placed together at the same time
• Member of a sibling group of two children to be placed together where one child is eight years of age or older or has another special need as defined herein
• A documented physical, emotional, or mental problems or limitations, or a predisposition there from

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Age
• Race or ethic background
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children adopted together
• Physical or mental disability
• Emotional disturbance
• High risk of developing a physical or mental disease

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• The child has a physical, mental, emotional or medical disability, or is at risk of developing such disability based on known information regarding the birth family and child’s history
• The child’s age makes it difficult to find an adoptive home
• The child is a member of a sibling group that must not be placed apart

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• One year of age or older
• Member of a sibling group being adopted together where at least one child meets one of the other criteria listed here
• Being adopted by adoptive parents who have previously adopted, with adoption assistance, another child born of the same mother or father
• Irreversible or non-correctable physical mental or emotional disability
• Physical, mental, or emotional disability correctable through surgery, treatment, or other specialized services

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Two years of age or older
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children, of which at least one is two years of age or older and who is or will be placed with the sibling group in the same home
• Medical condition or a physical, mental or emotional disability at time of adoption petition
• A recognized high risk of developing a medical condition or a physical, mental or emotional disability, as determined and documented by a physician licensed to practice in Indiana or another state or territory

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older and Caucasian
• Two years of age or older and a member of a minority race or ethnic group or of mixed parentage
• Member of a sibling group of three or more children placed in the same adoptive home
• Medically diagnosed disability which substantially limits one or more major life activity, requires professional treatment, assistance in self-care, or the purchase of special equipment
• Diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional to have a psychiatric condition which impairs the child’s mental, intellectual, or social functioning, and for which the child requires professional services
• Diagnosed by a qualified mental health professional to have a behavioral or emotional disorder characterized by situationally inappropriate behavior which deviates substantially from behavior appropriate to the child’s age or significantly interferes with child’s intellectual, social, and personal adjustment
• Determined to be mentally retarded by a qualified professional
• Determined by a qualified professional to be at high risk of developing a medical, mental or emotional condition as defined by the Department of Human Services. Prior to developing the specified condition, the child is eligible to receive reimbursement for non-recurring adoption expenses only (Note: This criteria was effective April 20, 2004)

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Twelve years of age or older (if age is the only special needs factor)
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed for adoption together, where one of the siblings has one of the special needs factors or conditions listed here
• Member of a sibling group of three or more children placed for adoption together (no other factors are necessary)
• Medically diagnosed physical disability that requires professional treatment, impairs normal functioning, requires assistance in self-care or the purchase of special equipment. The disability is to be diagnosed by a physician, hospital, clinic or other qualified medical practitioner
• Significant developmental disabilities and/or delays with demonstrated need for intensive adult supervision beyond chronological age, determined through an evaluation by a licensed psychologist, diagnostic center, special education services, or other qualified professional individual
• Diagnosed as having a behavioral or emotional disability (psychiatric condition) that impairs the child’s intellectual, behavioral or social functioning; a physician, psychologist or clinical social worker must establish diagnosis and prognosis
• Factors in the child’s genetic, health, and/or social background exist that are indicators that the child may develop physical, emotional or developmental problems at a later date (“guarded prognosis”)

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Two years of age or older and African American
• Seven years of age or older with a significant emotional attachment or psychological tie to her foster family and the Department has determined that it would be in the child’s best interest to remain with the family
• A member of a sibling group of two or more children placed at the same time in the same family
• A physical or mental disability
• An emotional or behavioral disorder
• A documented risk of physical, mental or emotional disorder
• A previous adoption disruption or multiple placements

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• African American male infant or older; African American female five years of age or older; Caucasian male eleven years of age or older; Caucasian female twelve years of age or older
• Ethnicity
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children who should not be separated
• Physical, mental or emotional disability
• Medical condition
• Significant, chronic, or genetically predisposed medical or mental health riskfactors in child’s birth family history

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Five years of age or older
• Minority status
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed in the same household
• Physical handicap, mental or emotional handicap
• Medical condition
• At risk for future emotional difficulties due to having been a victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or neglect
• At risk for future problems due to factors in his/her family background such as severe mental illness, substance abuse, genetic or medical conditions or illnesses

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older and under eighteen years of age
• Race or ethnic background (considered in addition to other special needs)
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed in the same family
• Physical or mental disability or risk of developing a physical or mental disability
• Emotional disturbance
• At high risk of developing a physical or mental disease

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• A member of an ethnic or cultural minority
• A member of a sibling group of three or more to be adopted together
• A member of a sibling group of two to be adopted together and one of the children is eight years of age or older
• One or more special needs as a result of a mental, emotional, or physical impairment, behavioral disorder, or medical condition that has been diagnosed by a licensed professional who is qualified to make the diagnosis
• A birth and/or family history which places the child at risk of having special needs but, due to the child's age, a reasonable diagnosis cannot be made

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eligible for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)
• Three years of age or older and under eighteen years of age
• Ethnic or family background
• Member of a minority or ethnic group
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children being placed together
• Physical, mental or emotional disability, handicap or condition
• Medical condition
• Length of time waiting for an adoptive home
• Adoption by relative

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• A member of a sibling group to be placed as one unit in which at least one sibling is older than 15 months of age or is described below
• A documented physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities
• A high risk of developing physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities

Note: When a child’s eligibility for adoption assistance is based on a high risk of developing physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral disabilities, it is known as “high-risk adoption assistance”. High-risk adoption assistance payments are not made under the adoption assistance agreement unless and until the potential disability manifests itself as documented by an appropriate health care professional.

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed together for adoption, even if the adoptions are finalized at different times
• Physical disability
• Mental disability
• Developmental disability
• Emotional disturbance
• Medical conditions
• History of abuse that puts a child at risk of having special needs

Children in the care and custody of the Children’s Division are considered special needs.

A child not in the care and custody of the Children's Division is defined as having special needs if s/he has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Five years of age or older
• Minority racial or ethnic parentage
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed in the same adoptive home at the same time
• A handicapping mental, physical or emotional condition
• A “guarded prognosis” indicating possible future problems related to the child's condition or status at the time of adoptive placement

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older
• A member of a minority group
• A member of a sibling group of two or more children placed together for adoption
• Diagnosed as having a physical, mental or emotional disability
• Recognized to be at high risk of developing a physical, mental or emotional disability

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Age (If age is the only criteria, children seven years of age or younger are generally not eligible)
• Member of a minority race (Race by itself is insufficient for eligibility)
• Member of a sibling group of three or more children to be placed together
• Behavioral, emotional, physical or mental disability

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Five years of age or older (if age is the only factor)
• Race
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children to be placed together and at least one of the children is three years of age or older,
• Diagnosis of a medical, physical, emotional, or mental disability or documented history of abuse/neglect requiring ongoing treatment intervention
• At risk of developing further problems due to documented factors in his/her background

Note: Children meeting the “at risk” criteria include those genetically related to persons having heritable physical, mental, emotional, or behavioral concerns; prenatal substance abuse exposure; or other factors determined by a treatment professional to potentially result in a future need for treatment or special services.

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older (if age is the only factor used to determine need)
• Member of a minority or ethnic group
• Member of a sibling group of two or more which should be placed together
• A physical or mental handicap or emotional disturbance
• A language barrier

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Ten years of age or older
• Two years of age or older and a member of an ethnic group for whom adoptive homes are not readily available
• Five years of age or older and living with foster parents for at least twelve months and adoption by the foster parents is the most appropriate plan for the child. Note: A child less than five years of age may qualify for adoption assistance under this subsection if s/he is a member of an ethnic group for whom adoptive homes are not readily available
• Member of a sibling group (including half-siblings) of three or more children and it is considered necessary that the group be placed together
• Member of one of two siblings (including half siblings) one of whom is hard to place, and it is considered most appropriate that the children be placed together, although it is not necessary that the children be placed at the same time
• Diagnosed emotional or behavioral problem, psychiatric disorder, serious intellectual incapacity or brain damage which seriously affects the child's ability to relate to his peers or authority figures, including but not limited to a developmental disability
• Any physical handicap, by reason of physical defect or deformity, whether congenital (present at birth) or acquired by accident, injury or disease, which makes or may be expected to make a child totally or partially incapacitated for education or to secure and hold paid employment
• Any medical or dental condition which will require repeated or frequent hospitalization, or treatment
• Any substantial disfigurement, such as the loss or deformation of facial features, torso or extremities
• Any other condition which may be approved by the Director of the Division of Youth and Family services

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Five years of age or older
• Member of a minority group
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children to be placed together
• A diagnosis of a emotional, physical, psychological or mental condition requiring medical intervention

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

New York divides special needs into two categories “hard-to-place” and “handicapped”.

A handicapped child is a child with a specific physical, mental or emotional condition or disability of such severity or kind, which, in the opinion of the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) would constitute a significant obstacle to the child’s adoption. Such conditions include, but are not limited to:

• Any medical or dental condition which will require repeated or frequent hospitalization, treatment or follow-up care;
• Any physical handicap, by reason of physical defect or deformity, whether congenital or acquired by accident injury or disease, which makes or may be expected to make a child totally or partially incapacitated for education or for remunerative occupation, as described in sections 1002 and 4001 of the Education Law; or makes or may be expected to make a child handicapped, as described in section 2581 of the Public health Law;
• Any substantial disfigurement, such as the loss or deformation of facial features, torso or extremities; or
• A diagnosed personality or behavioral problem, psychiatric disorder, serious intellectual incapacity or brain damage which seriously affects the child’s ability to relate to his peers and/or authority figures, including mental retardation or developmental disability.

A hard-to-place child is a child, other than a handicapped child:

• Who has not been placed for adoption within six months from the date his or her guardianship and custody were committed to the social services official or the voluntary authorized agency; or
• Who has not been placed for adoption within six months from the date a previous placement terminated and the child was returned to the care of the social services official or voluntary authorized agency; or
• Who meets any of the following conditions, which the Office of Children and Family Services(OCFS) has identified as constituting a significant obstacle to a child’s adoption, notwithstanding that the child has been in the guardianship and custody of the social services official or the voluntary authorized agency for less than six months:
1. The child is one of a group of two siblings (including half-siblings) for whom it is considered necessary that the group be placed together and
• at least one of the children is five years of age or older; or
• at least one of the children is a member of a minority group which is substantially over represented in New York State foster care in relation to the percentage of that group to the State’s total population; or
• at least one of the children is otherwise eligible for adoption assistance in accordance with the provisions of this subdivision:
2. The child is the sibling or half-sibling of a child already adopted and it is considered necessary that such children be placed together and
• The child to be adopted is five years of age or older; or
• The children is a member of a minority group which is substantially over represented in New York State foster care in relation to the percentage of that group to the State’s total population; or
• The sibling or half sibling already adopted is eligible for adoption assistance or would have been eligible for adoption assistance if application had been made at the time of or prior to the adoption;
3. The child is one of a group of three or more siblings (including half-siblings) for whom it is considered necessary that the group be placed together; or
4. The child is eight years of age or older and is a member of a minority group which is substantially over represented in foster care in relation to the percentage of that group to the State’s total population; or
5. The child is ten years of age or older; or
6. The child is hard to place with parents other than his/her foster parent(s) because he/she has been in care with the same foster parent(s) for 12 months or more prior to the signing of the adoption placement agreement by such foster parents and has developed a strong attachment to his/her foster parent(s) while in such care and separation from the foster parent(s) would adversely affect the child’s development.

A child, for adoption assistance purposes in New York, is defined as:

• A person under the age of 21 whose guardianship and custody have been committed to a social services official or a voluntary authorized agency or whose guardianship or custody have been committed to a certified or approved foster parent prior to the child's 18th birthday.
• A person under the age of 21, who prior to their 18th birthday, had a petition filed to free them, and guardianship and custody was granted to a social services official or voluntary authorized agency after the person’s 18th birthday, or the person consented to the transfer of guardianship and custody to the social services official or voluntary authorized agency.

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Age
• Member of a minority or ethnic group
• Member of a sibling group to be placed together
• Known and diagnosed medical, mental, or emotional conditions that will require periodic treatment or therapy of a medical or remedial nature
• Need for placement with a known and approved family

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Seven years of age or older and under eighteen years of age
• Member of a minority race
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed in the same adoptive home
• Physical, mental or emotional disability or at high risk for such as diagnosed by a licensed physician
• Has been diagnosed by a licensed physician to be at high risk for such a disability

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older
• Member of a minority or ethnic group
• Member of a sibling group of three or more or is being adopted as part of a previously adopted biological sibling group of three or more children
• A qualified professional, assessing conditions within their area of expertise, has diagnosed the child to have one of the following conditions:
  • Developmental disability
  • Developmental delay
  • Mental illness
  • Mental retardation
• The child or the child’s biological family has a social or medical history that establishes a substantial risk of acquiring any one of the following conditions, as determined by a qualified professional assessing conditions within their area of expertise:
  • Developmental disability
  • Developmental delay
  • Mental illness
  • Mental retardation
• In the permanent custody of a public children services agency (PCSA) or private child-placing agency (PCPA) for more than one year without being placed in an approved adoptive home
• Previous adoption disruption or three or more disrupted substitute care placements while in the care of a PCSA or PCPA
• In the home of his/her prospective adoptive parent(s) as a foster child for at least twelve consecutive months directly preceding the adoptive placement and would experience severe separation and loss if placed in another setting due to his/her significant emotional ties with these foster parent(s) as determined and documented by a qualified mental health professional

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• Racial or ethnic factors (Indian, Hispanic, Asian, and African-American children three years of age or older)
• Member of a sibling group of any age placed together
• Physical disability requiring regular treatment with a specific diagnosis given by the child's physician
• Mental disability meeting the eligibility criteria for educable multi-handicapped (EMH) or trainable multi-handicapped (TMH) classes and evaluated by a licensed psychologist, psycometrist, school, or recognized diagnostic center
• A child with a demonstrable need for intensive adult supervision beyond ordinary age needs
• Emotional disturbance established by a physician, a psychologist, behavioral therapist, or social worker; corroborated by a Child Welfare worker's observations of the child's behavior; corroborated by one or more caregivers such as foster parent, Head Start or school personnel, church nursery, or child care provider; and documented with a specific diagnosis and prognosis, if applicable
• At high risk of physical or mental disease (Indicators of high risk physical or mental disease are social and medical history such as mental illness of biological parents and family; events or life experiences such as severe sexual abuse; and prenatal exposure to drugs or alcohol)

Note: The child who exhibits high risk of physical or mental disease for conditions that are not presently being treated may qualify. If no other special factors or conditions are met, no monthly payment is made until there are documented symptoms of physical or mental disease. See Question #4 for information regarding deferred adoption assistance.

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• Member of a racial or ethnic minority
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed together and one of the children is six years of age or older
• Member of a sibling group of three or more children placed together
• Documented medical, physical, mental, emotional condition impairment, or other clinically diagnosed disability
• Documented history of abuse or neglect
• Any other identified, predisposing factor that places the child at risk for future problems and need for treatment
• Significant emotional ties to the adoptive family while in their care as a foster child or relative placement

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Five years of age or older and under the age of eighteen
• Member of a minority group
• Member of sibling group of two or more placed together in the same adoptive home
• Physical, mental, emotional condition or handicap
• Genetic condition which indicates a high risk of developing a disease or handicap

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Twelve years of age or older
• Member of an ethnic or racial minority
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children being adopted into the same home
• Documented medical condition or a physical, emotional, or mental disability
• At high risk of developing a medical condition or a physical, emotional or mental disability, based upon family background or history
• Prior adoption disruption or dissolution

Note: If a child is at high risk of developing a medical condition or a physical, emotional or mental disability, based upon family background or history, they may be eligible for deferred adoption assistance. See Question #4 for information on deferred adoption assistance.

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• African American or of blended racial heritage and six years of age or older
• Caucasian and ten years of age or older
• African American or of blended racial heritage and a member of a sibling group of two or more children, one of whom is at least six years of age
• African American or of blended racial heritage and a member of a sibling group of three or more children of any age
• Caucasian and a member of a sibling group or three or more children, one of whom is at least six years of age
• Caucasian and a member of a sibling group of four or more children of any age
• Member of a sibling group that includes a special needs child
• Physical, mental or emotional handicap
• At risk of developing a physical, mental or emotional handicap due to a condition existing before adoption

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age or older
• Race or religion (Native American)
• Member of a sibling group to be placed together for adoption
• Physical, emotional, neurological, or intellectual handicap or problem
• Need of a prosthesis, extensive, on-going, or anticipated medical care, or therapy for speech, physical, or psychological problems
• Adoption by foster parents with whom the child is living is the only appropriate permanency plan

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Nine years of age or older and Caucasian
• Two years of age or over and of minority heritage
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed together at the same time, with the same family for the purpose of adoption at the same time
• Moderate to severe medical, physical or psychological condition, as diagnosed by a licensed mental health professional and the identified condition requires treatment
• Life experiences that include neglect, physical abuse and/or sexual abuse that rises to the level of severe abuse, as defined by T.C.A. 37-1-102 (b)(21) and is substantiated by a court
• Three or more years in Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) custody

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older and less than eighteen years of age
• Two years of age or older and less than eighteen years of age and a member of a minority group that traditionally creates a barrier to adoption
• Member of a sibling group to be adopted together or adopted to join a sibling
• Verifiable physical, mental, or emotional handicapping condition, as established by an appropriately qualified professional through a diagnosis that addresses what the condition is and how the condition is handicapping

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Five years of age or older
• Member of a sibling group placed together for adoption
• Physical, emotional, or mental handicap and under the age of eighteen

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Four years of age or older
• Race or ethnic background
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children being adopted by the same family
• Medical condition/disability
• Physical, mental, emotional or psychological disability

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older
• Member of a minority race
• Member of a sibling group that is ready for placement at the same time and should not be separated
• A physical, mental, or emotional disability
• Hereditary tendency, congenital problem or birth injury resulting in a substantial risk of future disability
• A child with a physical, mental, emotional disability or hereditary tendency, congenital problem or birth injury present at the time of adoption but not diagnosed until up to one year after the final order is entered

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older at the time of application for adoption assistance
• Minority ethnic background.
• Member of a sibling group of three or more
• Member of a sibling group in which one or more siblings meet the definition of special needs
• Diagnosed with a physical, mental, developmental, cognitive or emotional disability.
• At risk for a diagnosis of a physical, mental, developmental, cognitive or emotional disability due to prenatal exposure to toxins, a history of serious abuse or neglect, or genetic history

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Eight years of age and older and under the age of eighteen
• Member of minority group/heritage and three years of age and older
• Member of a sibling group of two or more children to be adopted together
• An emotional, physical, mental or medical disability
• Other, such as documented risk factor (ex. parental substance abuse while child was in utero)

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Ten years of age or older (if age is the only factor in determining eligibility)
• Member of a minority race and children of that minority race cannot be readily placed due to a lack of appropriate placement resources
• Member of a sibling group of three or more children that must be placed together at the same time
• Exhibits special need characteristics judged to be moderate or intensive
• At high risk of developing a moderate or intensive level of special needs as outlined above

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

• Six years of age or older
• Member of a racial minority
• Member of a sibling group that needs to be placed in the same home
• Irreversible or non-correctable physical or mental disabilities
• Physical, mental or emotional disabilities correctable through surgery, treatment or other specialized services
• Residing in the same foster family home for a lengthy period of time where emotional ties have been developed with the foster family and adoption assistance is necessary to facilitate an adoption