Federal laws and rules require that a prospective adoptive parent must apply for adoption assistance prior to adopting a special needs child and that the prospective adoptive parent must have a valid adoption support agreement, signed by all parties, before the adoption is finalized.
However, the federal government recognizes that in some situations there may have been extenuating circumstances that prevented the eligible child from being placed on the adoption support program prior to adoption.
Wash. Admin. Code § 388-27-0305
Statutory Authority: RCW 74.13.031. 01-08-045, § 388-27-0305, filed 3/30/01, effective 4/30/01.