Regional staff members use the same approval process for enhanced adoption assistance as they do for adoption assistance described in 1714.2 Application Process for Adoption Assistance.

Exception

When regional adoption staff members believe that a child meets the eligibility criteria for enhanced adoption assistance, they must get approval from State Office before any negotiations with the family. Without first getting this approval, staff members may not do any of the following:

• Suggest to, or otherwise assure, the family that a child will receive enhanced adoption assistance.
• Begin negotiations for enhanced adoption assistance.