The responsibility of providing for special education costs remains with the local school districts. Staff should assist adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s) and school officials in obtaining the assistance of the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) in meeting the cost of a child’s special education needs.

Special education services must be met by the local school district except for:

• Tutorial plans which are intended to support a child’s special education plan (must be met by the parent/guardian or community resources)
• Payment for special education services for a child in residential placement is authorized as follows:
  • The Adoption or Subsidized Guardianship Agreement provides for payment of residential treatment services;
  • The residential placement is outside the domicile school district of the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s);
  • The child requires special education services; and
  • There are no other resources available to meet the costs of these services.

H.R. 6893: Fostering Connections and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 allows youth who exit foster care for adoption or guardianship after the age of 16 to receive independent living services and education and training vouchers under the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. Receipt of services through the Older Youth Program and Chafee Services are to be monitored by case managers.

Related Practice Alerts and Memos:

7-1-19 – CD19-52 – FY20 Rate Increases

12-4-19 – PA19-AD-06 – Transitional Living Placements and Subsidy Agreements

1-10-20 – PA20-AD-01 – Legal Fees for AD and LG Subsidies

10-29-2020 – PA20-AD-06 – Child Summary

01-13-21 –CD-21-01 -Contractors Negotiation/Completion Of The Initial Adoption Or Legal Guardianship Subsidy Agreement