Subsidized adoption in Illinois

Subsidized adoption programs are a relatively new child welfare option for children in need of long-term substitute care. Unfortunately, little data on subsidized adoption has been reported at a time when children with special needs constitute an increasing percentage of those available for adoptive placement. The recent passage of the “Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980” will focus even greater attention on these programs. This paper is based on data collected from a stratified random sample of children and families participating in the State of Illinois subsidized adoption program from October 1969 through June 1976. Records of 348 families were reviewed. The subsidy program is described as are the characteristics of the children being subsidized and the families with whom they are placed. Findings indicate that nontraditional adopters are subsidized, budgetary savings can be achieved, and significant differences exist among identified groups of adopters and children. Factors such as program cost, length of time in care, single parent adopters and handicapped status of the child are examined. Program strengths and weaknesses are identified and the caution is made that subsidy programs are no cure-all for children in substitute care.