Vol. 3, No. 2 • Spring 1999

Foster Parents Ask DSS
Response by Esther High

Question: I have adopted two children, and I�m getting adoption assistance. One of my children is ADHD and has a very hard time with his homework. I have heard that a vendor payment might help me get some help for him. What is a vendor payment, and how can it be used to help an adopted child in this situation? Vendor payments for psychological services and medical services that are not covered by Medicaid are available for children who receive adoption assistance.

First, you should check your adoption assistance agreement to see if vendor payments were included in that contract. If so, you should contact the agency that placed your child, and let them know that additional services are needed for your child. The amount of the vendor payments that can be reimbursed cannot exceed $1,200 per year for psychological services not covered by Medicaid and $1,200 for medical services not covered by Medicaid.

If vendor payments were not included in your adoption assistance agreement, contact the agency, and let them know that these services are needed. They can amend the contract to add these services if you can document that special services are needed. Documentation would include a letter from a therapist or counselor recommending the services. In the case of medical needs, the documentation would have to come from a physician.

Vendor payments may be used to purchase items including but not limited to orthopedic appliances (braces, special shoes, etc.), orthodontic appliances (braces, retainers, etc.), eyeglasses, wheelchairs, hearing aids, computers and other learning aids, etc., as long as the item is determined by a therapeutic provider to be related to the child�s pre-adoptive condition and is not available through other funding sources.

Since your child is ADHD, the vendor payments can be used for tutoring and other tools that will enhance his learning.

Esther T. High is the Special Needs Adoption Coordinator for the North Carolina Division of Social Services.

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families