• AASK support for families
  • Buddy Families
  • Community Access Ticket Service (CATS)
  • Advocating for rates
• Financial support
  • Adoption Assistance Program (AAP)
  • Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
  • Foster Care Payments
• State and public programs for children and youth with disabilities
  • California Children's Services (CCS)
  • Regional Centers
  • Early Start
  • Special Education

The best way for us to support our families is by helping our families support each other. Once a family begins their fost-adopt journey through AASK, they have the opportunity to match with a 'Buddy Family', or an experienced AASK adoptive family. Our Buddy Family program provides peer support in which adoptive AASK parents share their experiences and unique adoption stories with new AASK parents, including the joys and frustrations with the matching process, placement, and parenting children with special needs. Buddy Families often form long-term friendships, share parenting tips or baby-sit for each other.

AASK currently has a subscription to Community Access Ticket Service (CATS), allowing us to offer our families free tickets to sports games, concerts and other family entertainment year round. On almost a weekly basis our families have an opportunity to attend different events. Some of the events have included Giants and A's tickets, Monterey Bay Aquarium, Discovery Museum, Theater performances of Shakespeare, Man of LaMancha, Disney on Ice, the DeYoung Museum, and many others. Please contact us if you would like to be added to the email list.

After finalization, your AASK social worker can also help you document your child’s needs, locate services and advocate for appropriate rates. Below is a partial list of financial resources available to some adoptive or foster families. Please note: AASK does not directly provide any of the following programs or payment; eligibility for any program will depend on your family’s circumstance.

What is it? AAP is intended to offset the costs of integrating a child with special needs into a family and meeting those needs throughout his or her childhood. Payments are administered by the county that had custody of the child during foster care and are limited to the costs that would have been incurred by the county had the child remained in foster care. AAP also includes MediCal, which you may use to pay for the adopted child’s medical needs. If you have insurance and choose to use that as primary coverage, MediCal may pick up costs not covered by your insurance.

How much and when do we get it? If your child is eligible for adoption assistance, s/he will usually receive a monthly stipend and MediCal from the time of the adoptive placement until s/he turns 18 (there are a few exceptions). You and the county will negotiate the payment rate, which is based on the needs of the child and the circumstances of the family. “Circumstances of the family” are currently defined by the State of California as “the family’s ability to incorporate the child into the household in relation to the lifestyle, standard of living, and future plans and to the overall capacity to meet the immediate and future needs, including education, of the child.” However, AAP rates are not based on the income or financial resources of the family, and there are basic rates that the counties start with when determining the amount.

How and when do we apply? AAP is negotiated at adoptive placement. Once an Adoption Assistance Agreement has been signed, you will receive the agreed-upon monthly amount until the child’s circumstances change; for example, the child is no longer living with you or his or her financial needs increase. In this event, you and the county will renegotiate the child’s rate. For special needs adoption, counties also may reimburse you up to $400 for non-recurring expenses: costs you incurred to make the adoption happen. These include such costs as first aid and CPR classes, legal fees, and buying a bed for the new child.

What is it and who is eligible? SSI is designed to supplement the income of the elderly, blind, or disabled. Children are eligible if: (1) the child has a physical or medical condition or conditions that can be medically proven and which result in marked and severe functional limitations; and (2) the medically proven condition/s have lasted or are expected to last at least 12 months or be expected to result in death; and (3) the child is not working. Some common conditions that would make a child eligible for SSI are HIV, Cerebral Palsy, Down Syndrome, Muscular Dystrophy, some cases of blindness or deafness, developmental disability, or amputation.

What if my child meets those requirements? Unlike AAP, SSI payments DO have something to do with your family’s income and financial ability to provide for your child’s needs. AAP is considered among the family’s assets used in determining the amount of SSI a child will receive. Every 3 years, the law requires a “Continuing Disability Review” if the condition is one that is likely to improve. Another redetermination will be done when the child reaches 18 years old, to see if s/he can continue to collect SSI as an adult.

How do we apply? It is important to call the SSI information line at (800) 772-1213 as early as possible if you are going to apply for SSI for your child. This line provides automated information 24 hours a day and live operators to answer questions Monday - Friday, 7 am to 7 p.m. It may take a number of attempts to be found eligible, but eligibility is retroactive to the first application date, so it is to your benefit to get things moving as early as possible.

All children not legally free for adoption, and a few that are legally freed, at the time he or she “comes home,” will be placed as a foster child and you will receive foster care payments. The rate is based on the child’s age. Health care is provided through MediCal. AASK supplements the basic rate, providing access to services such as counseling and respite.

California Children’s Services serve children from birth to age 21 who are severely handicapped and whose families are unable to pay privately for their needs. CCS offers medical care including special diagnosis, social services, hospital care, physical and occupational therapy, appliances (such as leg braces), and similar materials. Phone (916) 654-0499 for further information.

Twenty-one Regional Centers in California serve persons with developmental disabilities that began before they reached age 18. These disabling conditions include a diagnosis of mental retardation, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and other neurological conditions. Regional Centers use state funds to provide assessment, case management, referrals, and advocacy. The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) in Sacramento can give you information on any of the local Regional Centers. DDS can be reached at (916) 654-1690.

Regional Centers also administer the Early Start Program, serving children birth to three years old, who are at risk of a developmental disability, but not yet diagnosed. Services can include developmental assessments, speech therapy, physical therapy, and infant programs.

Special Education services can begin at age three. The child’s disability need not be only physical or developmental. Children with learning disabilities or behavioral disorders also are entitled to educational services to help them overcome their disabilities. Any parent who has concerns about their child can request an assessment in writing to their school district. An Indiviual Education Plan (IEP) is then held to review the outcome of the assessment and determine if the child qualifies for special education services, based on federal law, Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA). Services may include special classes (including pre-school), an aide to assist the student in a regular classroom, home teaching, and funding to attend a non-public school, if the school district cannot otherwise meet the needs of the student.

For information about the IEP process in your community, contact your local school district. Community Alliance for Special Education (CASE), Disability Rights Education and Defesne Fund (DREDF), and Protection and Advocacy (see above listings) may provide advice and assistance regarding special education services.