October 2010Vol. 11, No. 8$39 Million Awarded in Adoption Incentives
On September 15, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced the award of $39 million to 38 States and Puerto Rico for increasing the number of children adopted from foster care in FY 2009. Originally created as part of the Adoption and Safe Families Act of 1997, the Adoption Incentives program awards $4,000 for every child adopted beyond the State's best year total. Under the new legislation of the 2008 Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, States receive additional awards for increasing adoptions of older children and children with special needs. This year, Texas will receive the highest amount at over $7 million.
Commenting on the awards, David A. Hansell, HHS Acting Assistant Secretary for Children and Families said, "America's communities benefit when children grow up in stable families. We're very pleased that the adoption incentives program is helping States improve their programs and place more children into homes that are theirs forever."
To read the HHS press release, visit:
www.hhs.gov/news/press/2010pres/09/20100915b.html
To see the full list of States and awards, visit the ACF website:
www.acf.hhs.gov/news/press/2010/fy10_adoption_incentive_awards.htm