January 6, 2008 – Urgent Request

We are seeking immediate assistance from the media, the public, politicians and lawmakers to stop an adoption subsidy check from being issued to Jocelyn McDonald and Stephen Kerr for a child adopted from Albany County who was reported missing on November 2, 2008 and is still missing. 

On January 6, 2008, Albany County Department of Social Services will cut a check that includes approximately $1500, tax-free as an adoption subsidy for Jaliek Rainwalker who was adopted over two years ago.  Jocelyn McDonald and Stephen Kerr will receive this check in the mail on January 9^th or 10^th.  This will be the third check of this kind that they will have received AFTER they reported their son missing.

According to the North American Council on Adoptable Children’s (NACAC) website,

http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/definitions.html:

 “Adoption assistance or subsidy is provided for children with special needs as an incentive to help get children adopted. A subsidy agreement should be negotiated prior to the finalization of an adoption, and may include monthly maintenance payments, medical coverage, and other services such as therapy and respite care, as outlined in state and county policy. “

Also from NACAC http://www.nacac.org/adoptionsubsidy/stateprofiles/newyork.html:

2. The maximum basic monthly adoption assistance maintenance payment in New York is:

Exceptional rates: $1,525 (Metro and Upstate)

20. A child's adoption assistance agreement may be periodically reviewed by the state. What is the typical process used in New York?

Neither the written agreement nor the amount of the payment is subject to an annual review except whenever the board rate increases due to an increase in the board rate, and/or the clothing replacement allowance or whenever a change in the age of an adopted child qualifies such child to receive adoption subsidy payments at an increased rate.

The social services official must remind the adoptive parent(s) on a biennial basis of their obligation to support the adopted child and to notify the social services official if the adoptive parent(s) are no longer providing any support to the child or are no longer responsible for the support of the child.

We believe that this notification by the adoptive parents has not taken place and request that the Albany County Department of Social Services take immediate, proactive measures to see that delivery of this subsidy check is stopped.  Any assistance you can provide to make this happen would be greatly appreciated.

Toll-free 1-877-4-JALIEK

www.findjaliek.org