Federal Block Grant Award Summary

The Administration on Children, Youth and Families awarded Georgia's Department of Human Services a block grant of $39.45 million under the Adoption Assistance program (CFDA 93.659) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award provides Federal Financial Participation (FFP) to support adoption subsidy costs for children with special needs who cannot be reunited with their biological families. The funding enables Georgia to facilitate permanent placements and provide ongoing financial support to adoptive families of children who are considered difficult to place due to physical, emotional, or developmental challenges.

The Department of Human Services, through its Financial Services Division, administers these adoption assistance services in partnership with regional commissions, local government entities, and nonprofit organizations throughout Georgia. The block grant structure allows the state flexibility in determining specific implementation strategies within federal guidelines, with funding distributed on a quarterly basis based on estimated and actual allowable expenditures. Award recipients must maintain comprehensive financial and programmatic records and submit quarterly expenditure estimates to the ACF Regional Child Welfare Program Manager in accordance with applicable federal regulations (45 CFR Parts 75, 1355–1356).