Adopting a child with special needs is a rewarding, life-changing journey. In Kentucky, there are specific requirements and processes to follow along with resources to support families willing to provide a loving home to children who need it most. Special needs adoptions often make the parents eligible for additional support, including financial assistance, Medicaid healthcare coverage, and expedited placement options.
At the Law Office of Pamela Bratcher, we offer guidance and support to help prospective parents achieve their dreams. With over 30 years of experience in family law, Pamela Bratcher provides compassionate, direct guidance to families throughout Bowling Green and the surrounding areas.
Special Needs Adoptions
Adopting a child with special needs is a momentous occasion that offers potential financial assistance. To qualify for help, the child must have special needs under Kentucky law, and the parents must meet specific requirements.
Adopting a Child with Special Needs in KY: Special Needs Defined
In Kentucky, a child has special needs if their biological parents have died or lost their parental rights, the child qualifies for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, or the child:
- Has a physical or mental disability;
- Has an emotional or behavioral disorder;
- Is at risk of developing a physical, emotional, or mental disability or disorder;
- Is part of a sibling group placed together;
- Is two or older and a member of a racial or ethnic minority;
- Has had multiple placements or disrupted previous adoption attempts; or
- Is seven or older and has a significant attachment to their foster family.
You may need a professional evaluation confirming the child’s special needs.
Adopting a Child with Special Needs in KY: Requirements
If you are considering adopting a child with special needs in KY, the requirements focus on demonstrating that you can provide for the medical, emotional, or educational needs of a child with special needs. You must:
- Complete Kentucky’s foster and adoptive parent training program;
- Pass a background check;
- Complete a home study, where a licensed social worker performs a detailed evaluation of the adoptive home; and
- Demonstrate financial stability sufficient to provide for a child’s needs.
If you pass all requirements, the Kentucky Adoption Profile Exchange (KARE) (formerly called the Special Needs Adoption Program (SNAP)) helps match you with a child, if necessary.
Before you complete the adoption, you must get a court to declare that the child has special needs and request adoption assistance. The child placement agency must have also made reasonable efforts to place the child in a permanent home.
Adopting a Child with Special Needs in KY: Cost
When adopting a special needs child, cost is critical. If you are considering adoption, grants and other support services may be available, including:
- Reimbursement of up to $1,000 of adoption-related expenses;
- Monthly financial assistance;
- Assistance with certain educational expenses;
- Free or low-cost healthcare benefits; and
- Access to counseling services, educational workshops, and community-based programs.
Families can also seek support from local advocacy organizations and adoption networks, and benefit from claiming the adoption tax credit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Qualifies a Child As Having “Special Needs” in Adoption?
In Kentucky, a child has special needs if they are part of a sibling group needing to be placed together, have a (or at risk of developing) physical or mental disability or disorder, are two or older and a member of a racial or ethnic minority, have had adoption disruptions or multiple previous placements, or are attached to their current placement.
How Is the Adoption Process Different for a Child with Special Needs Compared to a Typical Adoption?
Pre-adoption training may be more comprehensive than a typical adoption, and prospective parents may experience greater scrutiny of their ability to care for a potential adoptee. Before completing the adoption, the parents must get a court order declaring the child has special needs and request assistance. Additionally, the placement agency must have made reasonable efforts to place the child permanently.
On the other hand, the state offers cost-saving options to assist with special needs adoptions and may expedite parent-child matching services to get the child into a safe, loving home sooner.
What Are the Eligibility Requirements for Adopting a Child with Special Needs?
Prospective parents must complete Kentucky’s required training programs, pass background checks, complete a home study, and show they are prepared to care for a special needs child. Parents must also complete extra steps during the adoption process, like requesting assistance and getting a court declaration that the child has special needs.
What Types of Support Services Are Available for Families Adopting Children with Special Needs?
Families may access monthly subsidies, healthcare coverage for the child, counseling services, educational resources, and other community-based programs. Families may also save through the adoption tax credit.
Compassionate Legal Support for Your Adoption Journey
Adopting a child with special needs is a momentous journey, one we at the Law Office of Pamela Bratcher are honored to guide families through. Contact us today to learn how we can help your family grow.