Child Custody News

Children and Family Services Adoption

Recognizing that adoptive parents often experience financial difficulty meeting the special needs of children who formerly were placed in California's foster care system, the State Legislature created the Adoption Assistance Program (AAP). In creating the program, the Legislature intended the services to benefit children in foster care by providing the security and stability of permanent homes.

Counties which provide their own adoption services or CDSS District Offices determine the eligibility for participation in the program and negotiate a signed adoption assistance agreement with the adoptive parents that stipulates the need for, and the amount of, the AAP benefit. The signed agreement must specify the duration of the assistance and a renewal date that cannot exceed two years. The amount of financial payment is determined based upon the needs and the circumstances of the family.

Documentation of actual costs to be incurred because of the child's qualifying condition is not required. Based on the most recent published statewide information, at least 75 percent of the adopting families received some level of AAP benefits. An adopted child who receives AAP benefits from California may move anywhere in the world and still receive monthly subsidy payments.

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	Did You Know?
	Nonbiological parents can be awarded custody. Nonbiological parents have been awarded custody by the courts in cases of child abandonment or chronic child abuse. Judges can award custody to anyone with an interest in the child, such as stepparents, godparents, aunts, uncles, and surrogates, who can introduce evidence as to why they would be the better custodians than the natural parent(s). Click Here to Find a Nationwide Child Custody Attorney to Handle your Child Custody Case Today!