The general assembly finds and declares that: Colorado children and youth who reside in or have previously resided in an out-of-home placement deserve and can benefit from the stability and security of permanent, safe adoptive homes; In particular, adoption is an important tool to help increase the number of permanent and stable homes for Colorado’s […]
As used in this article 7, unless the context otherwise requires: “Agreement” means an adoption assistance agreement negotiated and entered into pursuant to section 26-7-107. “Anticipated needs” means those needs that are reasonably foreseeable and as defined in the eligibility criteria listed in subsection (8) of this section that are known at the time of […]
The adoption assistance program is created in the state department and supervised by the state department. The program shall be administered by county departments pursuant to this article 7. The state department shall, through the state board of human services, adopt any rules necessary to implement the provisions of this article 7. In addition to […]
At the time that the family is matched for adoption of a child or youth who is potentially eligible for benefits pursuant to this article 7, the state department, a county department, or a nonprofit child placement agency, as appropriate, shall provide the prospective adoptive family, in writing, with information concerning the following: The availability […]
Only an eligible child or youth who has special needs that create a barrier to his or her adoption is eligible for adoption benefits. The following conditions must be present at the time the eligible child or youth was placed for adoption; except that a child or youth who meets the medical and disability requirements […]
A county department may authorize or administer one or more of the types of benefits available pursuant to this article 7, as described in subsection (2) of this section. The benefits available pursuant to this article 7 include: Monthly subsidy payments; Medical assistance pursuant to articles 4, 5, and 6 of title 25.5; Reimbursement for […]
The benefits provided in any case pursuant to this article 7 must be determined through an agreement between the adoptive parents and the county department administering the program. The terms of the agreement must be reached through a discussion and good-faith negotiation process that addresses the needs of the eligible child or youth. Once the […]
The county department may suspend the payment of subsidies available pursuant to this article 7 when contact with the adoptive family cannot be established and the county department cannot establish that the adoptive parent is providing any support, which includes financial support as determined by the Title IV-E agency. Prior to suspension, the county department […]
The county department shall terminate the payment of subsidies available pursuant to this article 7 when any of the following situations occur: The child or youth reaches eighteen years of age; except that, in cases where the county department has determined that the child or youth has a mental or physical handicap that warrants continued […]
In any decision made pursuant to this article 7, the adoptive parents have the right to appeal to the state department, with a hearing before a state department administrative law judge in accordance with the “State Administrative Procedure Act”, article 4 of title 24. The following situations are subject to appeal: A determination of a […]
