R512-43-8. Regional Adoption Assistance Committee

  (1) Each region shall establish at least one regional adoption assistance committee.

  (2) The regional adoption assistance committee shall be comprised of at least five members, and a minimum of three members must be present for making decisions regarding adoption assistance. Decisions shall be made by consensus.

  (3) Members of the committee may include the following:

  (a) Chairperson;

  (b) Clinical consultant or casework supervisor;

  (c) Regional budget officer or fiscal representative;

  (d) Allied agency representative from agencies such as a community mental health center, private adoption agency, or other agencies within the department;

  (e) Regional administrator or other staff with relevant responsibilities;

  (f) Adoptive or foster parent.

  (4) Responsibilities of the regional adoption assistance committee include:

  (a) Verification that a child qualifies for adoption assistance,

  (b) Approval for reimbursement of allowable, reasonable non-recurring costs,

  (c) Approval of level of need and amount of monthly subsidy for initial requests, changes, amendments, and renewals,

  (d) Approval of supplemental adoption assistance up to $3,000,

  (e) Extension of adoption assistance up to age 21 for a qualifying child,

  (f) Renewal of adoption assistance, and

  (g) Documentation of committee decisions.