State Contact

Ken Hoffman
Arizona Department of Child Safety
PO Box 6030
Site Code: C010-22
Phoenix, AZ 85005
(602) 771-6407
Ken.Hoffman@azdcs.gov

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Adoption Resources on the Web

https://dcs.az.gov/adoption

Arizona’s state-specific medical assistance:
https://azahcccs.gov/

Arizona’s citations for adoption assistance:
Arizona Revised Statutes (law) found at Title 8, Chapter One, Adoption, Article 2, Adoption Subsidies 8-141 to 8-145
https://www.azleg.gov/arsDetail/?title=8

Arizona Administrative Code R21-5-501 through R2-5-514
https://apps.azsos.gov/public_services/Title_21/21-05.pdf

In Arizona a child with special needs is a child who has at least one of the following factors, conditions or circumstances because of which it is reasonable to conclude the child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing adoption assistance:

  • physical, mental, emotional or developmental disability;
  • high risk of physical or mental disease, or developmental disability that may result in a debilitating condition;
  • age six or older at the time of application for adoption subsidy;
  • member of a sibling group being adopted by the same family;
  • racial or ethnic factors when such factor(s) impede the child’s adoptive placement; and
  • high risk of severe emotional disturbance if removed from the care of the child’s foster parent or relative as diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist.

The basic rate is known as AM1 varies based on age. (AM stands for adoption maintenance.)

Age Rate Monthly rated based on 30 days
0-11 years old $19.68/day $590.40
12-20 years old $21.72/day $651.60

Specialized rates are based on the special needs of the child and the intensity of services and care he or she requires for disabilities.

Level Rate Monthly rated based on 30 days
AM2 $23.52/day $705.60/month
AM3 $29.94/day $898.20/month
AM4+ $35.75/day $1072.50/month

AM4+ is reserved for children who required therapeutic, professional or medically fragile homes in foster care.

  1. When a child turns 18, which benefits, if any, continue?

Adoption assistance benefits may continue until the child’s 18th birthday if the adoptive parents continue to be legally and financially responsible for the child.  Adoption subsidy may continue through their 22nd birthday if the child is enrolled in and regularly attending a recognized high school, with proven progress towards completion of high school diploma or GED.  For youth that were adopted at age 16 or older and who have completed high school, there are other criteria that may extend the adoption assistance up to the 21st birthday.

For children eligible for adoption subsidy, Arizona provides post adoption assistance though a special services subsidy. Special services subsidy benefits may provide for extraordinary, infrequent or uncommon needs related to the pre-existing special needs conditions noted in the original adoption assistance agreement that cannot be met by AHCCCS/Medicaid or other public or private resources. Special services subsidy must have prior authorization.  Respite care and residential treatment are two services that may be supported by this program.  For residential treatment it must be medically necessary and authorization from the Adoption Subsidy Program must be received before obtaining services.

Arizona has a state funded guardianship subsidy program for children for whom a Title 8 guardianship is established through the juvenile court.

Specific eligibility factors are:

  • There is a Title 8 permanent guardianship finalized through Juvenile Division of Arizona Superior Court in accordance with state statute A.R.S. §8-872;
  • The child is in the custody of the Department of Child Safety; and
  • The guardian must apply for other state and federal program benefits on behalf of the child.

The rates below for subsidized guardianship cannot exceed those of adoption assistance and are offset by any benefits received on behalf of the child. Only licensed foster parents can receive a rate higher than SBG 1 (SBG stands for subsidized guardianship).

Level Rate
SBG1 $12.95 per day
SBG2 $15.73 per day
SBG3 $22.06 per day
SBG4 $27.81 per day

For more information, parents should contact the Guardianship Subsidy office at 602-771-6470.

Arizona offers a deduction on state taxes (Other Subtractions from Income, line 36 Part D) based on expenses up to $3,000 in the year the adoption is finalized.

For families who have problems with their payment, or wish to set up direct deposit, they should contact their Adoption Subsidy case manager. If they don’t know who their case manager is, they need to contact the subsidy office to which they are assigned to find out, Phoenix office phone number is 602-771-6470 and Tucson office is 520-885-8002.