State of California – Health and Human Services Agency
California Department of Social Services
ADOPTION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
INDEPENDENT ADOPTIONS PROGRAM
STATEMENT OF ACKNOWLEDGMENT
Federal subsidies were created by Congress (through Public Law 96-272-the Adoption Assistance
and Child Welfare Act of 1980) to encourage the adoption of special needs children and remove the
financial disincentives for families to adopt. Recognizing that adoptive parents often experience
financial difficulty meeting the special needs of children who formerly were placed in California’s
foster care system, the state Legislature created the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP). In creating
the program, the Legislature intended to benefit children in foster care by providing the security and
stability of a permanent home through adoption. Children may receive a federally funded subsidy
under Title IV-E or a state-funded subsidy.
To be AAP eligible, a child who is adopted through the Independent Adoptions Program must meet
the following eligibility criteria (Welfare and Institutions Code section 16120 (a) through (c); (k)(2); (l);
(m)(1) and (n):
I.
a) Prior to the finalization, the child has met the requirements to receive federal
supplemental security income benefits, as determined and documented by the federal
Social Security Administration and meets the three part special needs determination;
Or
b) The child received AAP benefits with respect to a prior adoption; the parental rights of
the adopted parents were terminated or the adoptive parents died and the child meets the
three part special needs determination;
And
II.
The child is a United States citizen, a qualified alien as defined in Title 8 USC section
1641(b) or a member of one of the exempted groups pursuant to Title 8 USC section 1612(b).
To apply for the AAP, prospective adoptive parent(s) must submit a completed Request for Adoption
Assistance Program (AAP 1) Benefit form. The responsible public agency will determine the child’s
eligibility for participation in the program. If the child is deemed eligible, the responsible public
agency will negotiate and sign an AAP agreement with the prospective adoptive parent(s), prior to the
adoption finalization.
My/Our signature(s) signify that I/we have read this Statement of Acknowledgment, discussed our
questions with our Adoptions Specialist or County Social Worker and understand the implications that
it has for my/our adoption.
Prospective Adoptive Parent:
Prospective Adoptive Parent:
Date:
Adoptions Specialist or County Social Worker:
Date:
AAP 5 (12/17)
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