Adptasst-2026 - adoption assistance

The Department of Health and Human Services Administration for Children and Families awarded $93.517 million to the Social Services South Carolina Department on October 1, 2025, under the Adoption Assistance program (CFDA 93.659), with performance ending September 30, 2026.

The award provides Federal Financial Participation to fund adoption subsidy costs for children with special needs in South Carolina who cannot be reunited with their families. The Adoption Assistance program reimburses states for ongoing adoption maintenance payments to adoptive parents and provides medical assistance and other support services to eligible adopted children.

The Social Services South Carolina Department administers the award across all 46 South Carolina counties with administrative oversight centered in Columbia. As a state child welfare agency, the department operates exclusively as a federal grant recipient, managing a portfolio of over 370 federal awards totaling $9.91 billion across child welfare, foster care, family preservation, child support enforcement, nutrition assistance, and temporary assistance programs. The department passes through funding to sub-recipients including local nonprofits and community service providers under multiple federal programs. Quarterly expenditure estimates and claims are submitted to the ACF Regional Child Welfare Program Manager on July 30, October 30, January 30, and April 30 each year, with final reimbursement adjusted to reflect only actual allowable claimed expenditures. The award operates under the Title IV-E Plan framework and complies with 45 CFR Parts 75, 200, and 300, including recordkeeping and audit requirements.