Adoption Assistance by State

1. What specific factors or conditions, in addition to those required by the Federal government, does your State consider to determine that a child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing financial assistance? ("What is your State definition of special needs?")

Alabama

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

Note: to see the federal government requirements for eligibility for title IV-E adoption assistance see Fact Sheets for Families
on the Child Welfare Information Gateway, link: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f-subsid/.

Alaska

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

Arizona

The State has determined that one of the following special needs exists because of which it is reasonable to conclude the child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance:

Physical, mental or developmental disability;
Emotional disturbance;
High risk of physical or mental disease that may result in a debilitating condition;
High risk of developmental disability that may result in a debilitating condition;
Age six or older at the time of application for adoption subsidy;
Sibling relationship when such factor impedes the child’s adoptive placement;
Racial or ethnic factors when such factor(s) impede the child’s adoptive placement;
High risk of severe emotional disturbance if removed from the care of the child’s foster parent or relative as diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

Arkansas

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.

California

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

Colorado

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 of 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 documented 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
Other child-specific factors such as multiple placements

Connecticut

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

Delaware

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

District of Columbia

The child is eligible for subsidy when the child is determined to have special needs based on one or more of the following conditions:

The child has a chronic medically diagnosed disability that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or requires professional treatment, or assistance in self-care
The child has been 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
The child has been determined to be mentally disabled by a qualified medical professional
The child has been 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 and interferes significantly with the child’s intellectual, social, and personal adjustment
The child meets all medical or disability requirements of title XVI of the Social Security Act with respect to eligibility for supplemental security income benefits
The child is a member of a sibling group, in which the siblings should be placed together and the adoptions must be finalized at the same time
The child is of an age or has an ethnic or racial background which presents a barrier to adoption
The child has been legally free for adoption for six (6) months or more and an adoptive placement has not been found

Florida

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)

Georgia

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 child who has been in the care of a public or private agency or individual other than the legal or biological parent for more than 24 consecutive months
A child with physical, mental, or emotional disability, as validated by a licensed physician or psychologist
A child who is a member of a sibling group of 2 or more placed in the same home

Guam

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

Hawaii

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

Idaho

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 upon the child’s experience of documented physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, or neglect; or
The child’s age makes it difficult to find an adoptive home; or
The child is being placed for adoption with at least one (1) sibling

Illinois

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

Indiana

There must exist a specific factor or condition which makes it reasonable to conclude that the child cannot be adopted without providing financial assistance or Title XIX Medicaid, and one of the following criteria exists:

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 must be placed with the sibling group in the same home
Medical condition or a physical, mental or emotional disability at time of adoption petition
Medical condition or a physical, mental or emotional disability at time of adoption petition as determined by a physician licensed to practice in Indiana or another state or territory.

Iowa

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

Kansas

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”)

Kentucky

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 of a racial or an ethnic group
Seven years of age or older with a significant emotional attachment or psychological tie to the foster family and the Department staff 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 in which the siblings are placed together
A physical or mental disability
An emotional or behavioral disorder
A recognized/documented risk of physical, mental or emotional disorder
A previous adoption disruption or multiple placements

Louisiana

A child with special needs is defined as a child with a preexisting condition(s) such that it is reasonable to conclude that the child may be difficult to place in an adoptive home without the aid of subsidy. Recruitment and placement barriers are also considered. The child must have at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:

All children, age 5 or older
Ethnic background
Membership in a sibling group of two or more children who should not be separated
Physical, mental or emotional disability
Severe chronic medical condition
Significant, chronic, or genetically predisposed medical or mental health risk factors in child’s birth family history

Maine

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 that includes a special needs child
Physical handicap, mental or emotional handicap
Medical condition
Is a victim of physical, emotional or sexual abuse, or neglect
Has a family background that includes severe mental illness, substance abuse, genetic medical conditions, or prostitution

Maryland

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, mental, or emotional disability or disease
High risk of physical or mental disability or disease
Emotional disturbance

Massachusetts

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

Michigan

Michigan has specific requirements to meet both the federal definition and the state’s special needs eligibility criteria. At the time of eligibility determination, the child must be a child with special needs. A child is considered a child with special needs if the Department of Human Services (DHS) has determined all of the following:

The child is under age 18
The parental rights to the child have been terminated
- If an American Indian child can be adopted in accordance with tribal law without a termination of parental rights and the tribe has documented a valid reason why the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of the parents, termination is not required
- State funded eligibility requirement: Termination of parental rights must be under Michigan Complied Laws (MCL) 712A.19b (abuse and neglect) or MCL 710.29 (release) while the child was involved in an abuse or neglect proceeding
The child has one of the following specific factors or conditions:
- Eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI), based solely on the medical and disability requirements without regard to the SSI income requirements, as determined by the Social Security Administration (SSA)
- A DHS foster care level II or above Determination of Care (DOC) rate that meets all of the following:
  - Documented by the DHS-470, 470A or 1945
  - Supported by the current foster care updated service plan - Permanent Ward Service Plan (PWSP or Updated Service Plan(USP)
  - Approved in accordance with DHS foster care policy
- The child is at least age 3
- The child is being adopted by a relative (within the 5th degree of consanguinity); see Children's Services Glossary (CFG) Glossary
- The child is being adopted by the parent(s) of his/her previously adopted sibling
- The child is a member of a sibling group being adopted together and at least one sibling group member has been determined eligible for adoption support subsidy as an individual.
- An effort to place the child without providing adoption support subsidy is demonstrated by the adoptive parent(s) signature(s) in Section 1 of the DHS-4081, Adoption Assistance Intent Statement
Note: to see the federal government requirements for eligibility for title IV-E adoption assistance see Fact Sheets for Families
on the Child Welfare Information Gateway, link: https://www.childwelfare.gov/pubs/f-subsid/.

Minnesota

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.

Mississippi

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
Membership in a sibling group (or fictive sibling group) of two (2) or more children being placed together – fictive sibling is defined as unrelated children who have resided in the same home for at least 6 months and who have developed significant emotional ties to each other
Physical disability
Mental disability (I.Q. of 70 or less)
Developmental disability
Emotional disturbance
Medical conditions
History of abuse that puts a child at risk of having special needs

Missouri

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

Montana

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

Nebraska

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 sibling group of three or more children to be placed together
Behavioral, emotional, physical, or mental disability, as documented by a recent report (less than six months old) from an appropriate, qualified professional (which could include but is not limited to a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist, or Licensed Mental Health Practitioner (LMHP). This report must include diagnosis, severity of condition, and present and future care or treatment required or likely to be required. A child who has been determined SSI eligible in his or her own right (as opposed to receiving SSI due to a parent's disability) meets this criteria

Nevada

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.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire's newly revised Adoption Assistance Program qualifications policy:

Child's Special Needs

A child cannot qualify for Adoption Assistance without having identified special need(s). A child’s special needs are conditions or factors which make it reasonable to conclude the child cannot be adopted without medical services, behavioral health services, social services or adoption assistance payments.
Conditions that may qualify a child as a child with special needs include but are not limited to:
- Medical needs that require specialized care in the home
- Serious emotional disturbance that requires constant supervision and trained intervention above what is typically required for children of a similar age
- Developmental needs which require specialized supervision, home modifications, and/or specialized equipment
- Other intense needs that require professional services
Factors that may qualify a child as a child with special needs include:
- Child is part of a sibling group of at least 3 siblings, one of whom has a special need condition described above; or
- Child is at least six years old or older and recruitment of adoptive parents has not been successful

Adoptive Parent(s) Circumstances

Adoptive parent(s) who apply for adoption assistance must identify their current circumstances that might qualify them for adoption assistance such as; commitment to the child, number and ages of family members including children, if any, in their family, family needs and income, ability to adopt a child without adoption assistance, community and other resources available to meet the child’s needs, and extra expenses required to meet the child’s special needs.

New Jersey

A child with special needs Hard to place) is defined as a child who the State of New Jersey has the legal right to place for adoption, or any child who is legally free and is being placed by a private adoption agency with a certificate of approval to provide adoption services in New Jersey, but who is reasonably expected not to be placed for adoption due to the lack of a prospective adoptive home or any of the following reasons:

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 is being adopted by a resource parent(s) with whom he or she has resided for at least 1 year, and adoption by this resource parent is the most appropriate plan for the child
Child who is under the age of five but is a member of an ethnic or minority group for whom adoptive homes are not readily available and has been residing for at least one year with a resource parent(s) who is adopting the child, and adoption by this resource parent is the most appropriate plan for the child
Member of a sibling group of three or more children (including half-siblings), one of whom meets the special needs criteria and it is considered necessary that the group be placed together or the child is the third (or additional) sibling placed in the same home even though his or her siblings do not receive subsidy
Member of a group of two siblings (including half siblings) one of whom meets the special needs criteria and it is considered most appropriate that the children be placed together, or the child is an additional sibling being placed in the same home with a sibling receiving subsidy
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 that is not contrary to Federal or State statues and regulations

New Mexico

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:

Over the age of five years
From a minority ethnic background
Part of a sibling group of three or more brothers and sisters
Diagnosed with moderate to severe developmental, psychological or physical disabilities

New York

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:

(State Definition) 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
(State Definition) 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:

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:

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;

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
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
The child is ten years of age or older; or
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, and the person consented to the transfer of guardianship and custody to the social services official or voluntary authorized agency or certified or approved foster parent.
A person under the age of 21 whose care and custody have been transferred prior to such person’s eighteenth birthday to a social services official or a voluntary authorized agency either as an adjudicated abused or neglected child or a voluntarily placed child, whose parents are deceased or where one parent is deceased and the other parent is not a person entitled to notice to the adoption proceeding and where such official or agency consents to the adoption of such person in accordance with law.

North Carolina

A child with special needs is defined as a child for whom one of the following factors or conditions must exist and be documented in order for the child to be eligible for adoption assistance:

Six years of age or older
Two years of age or older and a member of a minority race or ethnic group
Member of a sibling group of three or more children to be placed in the same adoptive home
Member of a sibling group of two children to be placed in the same adoptive home, in which one or more of the siblings meet at least one of the other criteria for special needs
Has a 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 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 professional to have a behavioral or emotional disorder characterized by inappropriate behavior which deviates substantially from behavior appropriate to the child’s age or significantly interferes with child’s intellectual, social and personal functioning
Diagnosed to be mentally retarded by a qualified professional
At risk for a diagnosis described above in items above, due to prenatal exposure to toxins, a history of abuse or serious neglect, or genetic history.
Note: if the child qualifies only under this criterion, the child must be placed in the potential category where they shall receive Medicaid but will receive a zero amount monthly payment until a diagnosis is made. When the diagnosis is made and documented appropriately, a change will be made to the DSS-5095 to reflect payment beginning the month following diagnosis.
Meets all of the medical and disability requirements for Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

North Dakota

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
Has been diagnosed by a licensed physician to be at high risk for such a disability

Ohio

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

Oklahoma

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: Eligibility based on the child’s age is determined below.
Racial or ethnic factor: Indian, Hispanic, Oriental, and African-American children age three years or older.
Sibling relationship: The child is part of a sibling group of any age placed together:
- A child of any age and at least one sibling are placed in trial adoption status in the same home.
- A child younger than three years of age, not determined eligible to receive an adoption assistance payment at the time of the adoption assistance application, becomes eligible due to a sibling relationship.
  - If within one year of finalization of the child's adoption, the adoptive parent(s) finalizes the adoption of the child's sibling, the child is eligible for an adoption assistance payment.
  - The effective date to begin the adoption assistance payment for the child is the effective date of the adoption assistance payment for the sibling.
Physical disability: Physical disability is defined as a condition that requires regular treatment with a specific diagnosis given by the child’s physical
Mental disability: The child meets the eligibility criteria for educable multi-handicapped (EMH) or trainable multi-handicapped (TMH) classes and has been evaluated by a licensed psychologist, psychometrist, school, or recognized diagnostic intensive adult supervision beyond ordinary age also qualifies.
Emotional disturbance: This requires a determination by a physician, psychologist, behavioral therapist or social worker and documented with a specific diagnosis and prognosis, if applicable. It should further be corroborated with social worker, caregiver or child care personnel.
High risk of physical or mental disease: The child who exhibits high risk of physical or mental disease for conditions, which 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.
Kinship placement: There is no age requirement for a child placed with relatives who provides paid or non-paid kinship care and meets the specified degree of relationship.
Non-related and other relative placements: The child must be eight years of age or older. This includes a child adopted by relatives who was not the child’s caregiver at the time of adoptive placement.

Oregon

A child with special needs has at least one of the following factors or conditions that make adoptive placement difficult to achieve:

Eight years of age or older
Member of a racial or cultural 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 significant risk for future problems that need treatment

Pennsylvania

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:

Genetic condition which indicates a high risk of developing a disease or handicap

Rhode Island

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
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.

South Carolina

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 placed together, 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 placed together
Caucasian and a member of a sibling group or three or more children placed together, 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 placed together
Member of a sibling group of two or more children placed together, one of whom is a special needs child

South Dakota

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 child’s age, race or religion
A child with a physical, emotional, neurological, or intellectual disability
A sibling group that needs to be placed together
A child needing extensive ongoing or anticipated medical care or therapy
Need of a prosthesis, extensive, on-going, or anticipated medical care, or therapy for speech, physical, or psychological problems
When adoption by the foster parents with whom the child is living is the only appropriate plan

Tennessee

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 by a physician, psychologist or licensed mental health professional and the identified condition requires treatment
Life experiences include neglect, physical abuse and/or sexual abuse as indicated by Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) or adjudicated by a court and as defined by T.C.A. 37-1-102 (23) (A-(D) 'Severe Abuse'
Three or more consecutive years in Tennessee DCS custody
Has a medically diagnosed disability which substantially limits one or more major life activities, requires professional treatment, and assistance in self-care
Is diagnosed to be mentally retarded by a qualified professional
Is diagnosed by a qualified professional to have a behavioral or emotional disorder characterized by inappropriate behavior, which deviates substantially from behavior appropriate to the child’s age or significantly interferes with child’s intellectual, social, and personal functioning
Meets all of the medical and disability requirements for SSI (Supplemental Security Income)

Texas

A child with special needs is one who meets all of the criteria in this section:

At the time the adoptive placement agreement is signed, the child is less than 18 years old and meets at least one of the following conditions:
- On the day immediately preceding the date of adoption, the child was in the managing conservatorship of Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) or an authorized entity, and:
  1. the child is at least six years old;
  2. the child is at least two years old and a member of a racial or ethnic group that exits foster care at a slower pace than other racial or ethnic groups;
  3. the child is being adopted with a sibling or to join a sibling who has been adopted by the parents or for whom the parents already have permanent managing conservatorship or an equivalent arrangement in another state; or
  4. the child has a verifiable physical, mental, or emotional handicapping condition, as established by an appropriately qualified professional through a diagnosis that addresses:
    - what the condition is; and
    - that the condition is handicapping; or
The child has been determined by the Social Security Administration to meet all the medical or disability requirements with respect to eligibility for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits

Utah

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
Under the age of eighteen with a physical, emotional, or mental disability

Vermont

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 and over the age of three years of age
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
Certain high risk factors such as documented prenatal exposure to drugs/alcohol or diagnosis of genetic or mental illness of birth mother or father

Virginia

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 has been in foster care for 18 months or longer
Member of a minority or mixed racial heritage
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 hereditary, congenital problem or birth injury that could lead to a future disability
Emotional ties with foster parents with whom the child has been living for longer than 12 months

Washington

A child with special needs is defined as a child that has one or more of the following factors or conditions:

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

West Virginia

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

Wisconsin

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
For an adoption assistance agreement entered into before July 1, 2011, child exhibits special need characteristics judged to be moderate or intensive under the schedule of difficulty-of-care levels specified in s.DCF 50.042(3), link:http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/021_099/50/II/042/3/a/3.
For an adoption assistance agreement entered into on or after July 1, 2011, child exhibits five or more needs identified as moderate or intensive in the areas listed in s.DCF 56.23(2)(a)1.a. to e., in the rate schedule under s.DCF 56.23(2) (a). Link: http://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/021_099/56/23/2
At high risk of developing a moderate or intensive level of special needs as outlined above

Wyoming

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