Resources
List items for Adoption Subsidy Resources
Adoption Respite is a program available to adoptive and subsidized guardianship families for their subsidized adopted/sub guard children under the age of 18 (21 if the subsidy is extended). Each child who receives a subsidy is eligible to receive up to ten (10) days of respite care each fiscal year (July 1-June 30) at a rate of $20 per day. Adoption respite can be provided by anyone the family trusts who is over the age of 18. Below is the link for the current adoption respite form that is submitted to Four Oaks for reimbursement.
Direct Deposit
Contact your HHS adoption subsidy specialist to set up direct deposit.
Age Increases
Please email your worker to request age increases at those special birthdays 6, 12, and 16. Simply send your worker an email that your child had a birthday including their full name and birthdate. Age increases are not done automatically. It is important to note, there is NO BACK PAY.
The original agreement states:
Adjustments to the daily adoption subsidy maintenance rate due to the child's age must be requested by the parents. The rate is not automatically changed.
Any changes to the daily adoption subsidy maintenance rate become effective the first day of the month following the change.
If you are moving, please be sure to update your HHS adoption subsidy specialist as soon as possible.
Payment
Notifying your Four Oaks Caseworker or MCO of the change, will not change the address where your adoption subsidy check is mailed. Even if you receive direct deposit, it is important to inform your HHS adoption subsidy specialist of your new address.
Communication
HHS adoption subsidy specialists use your address to send out information like letters about applying to extend adoption subsidy and Medicaid coverage until age 21. These letters are mailed when teens are 17.5 years old. If you do not receive the letter because HHS did not have the correct address, please contact your adoption subsidy worker.
Out of State
If you are moving out of state, your worker can help switch Medicaid coverage to the new state.
Adoption Subsidy Worker Contact Information
| Service Area (See Service Area Map) | Worker | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Gina Touney | gina.touney@hhs.iowa.gov |
| Northern | Amanda Nash | amanda.nash@hhs.iowa.gov |
| Eastern | Rachel Mason | rachel.mason@hhs.iowa.gov |
| Cedar Rapids | Julie Collins | julie.collins@hhs.iowa.gov |
| Des Moines | Katie Gosch | katie.gosch@hhs.iowa.gov |