Post AdoptionAfter your child has been adopted, there are some things you should do. Save the original orders of adoption with the raised stamps. You will need them several times even though you will receive a new birth certificate for your child. As a single, gay dad, none of my sons' birth certificates have a mother listed on them, and there are specific applications for which you may need to prove this is correct, such as applying for a passport.If you adopt as a same sex couple, or if you complete all the legal requirements for second parent adoption, and have both your names listed on the birth certificate, be sure to have all other legal documents available for certain applications as well. Passports, once acquired, are very solid by themselves. PassportThey cost a few bucks, but get one for your child and for yourself if you don't yet have one. Having a passport for your child will save you from having to drag all your other paperwork with you everywhere you go. Birth certificates don't seem to suffice unless you carry other paperwork with you such as the adoption decrees from the original adoption as well as the second parent adoption if you needed one.Social Security CardYou will need to update your child's information with Social Security. You must do this immediately so that your child's birth parents cannot continue to claim them on their taxes and you may begin to do so.Bring all the documents you can to the social security office with the application for your child's social security card which you can find by following this link. To find out where the your nearest Social Security office is, click here and enter your zip code. MedicaidIf you've read the information here about the adoption subsidy meeting, you will have at least kept Medicaid dormant for your child, and some of you, instead of paying an arm and a leg through your employer to have your child covered on your own insurance, will choose to continue using Medicaid as I have.
It can be quite difficult to find medical coverage for your child that is covered by Medicaid. I've listed here a few things I've learned about working with Medicaid and finding appropriate services for my children.1. Many doctors' offices do not take new Medicaid cases, but they do take Medicaid. So how do you get in? If your child moved in to your home from an initial foster placement, you may continue seeing whichever doctor your child began seeing when they were first placed in foster care. Once you have other children seeing a doctor, that doctor will see his/her siblings even if they are insured by Medicaid. You may also consider starting your child on your own insurance and then changing back to Medicaid a few months down the line after you have established a relationship with a pediatrician you like. Just be sure your child's doctor takes Medicaid before beginning the relationship. 2. Dentists can be hard to find. Your Resource Family Team Worker should be able to tell you where to start looking. If they don't know, ask them to do some research for you and make some calls to local dentists. This is most likely best to do while your child is still considered a foster child. See the must read section for more information. 3. Begin with major medical facilities for children. I've used Children's Hospital in Denver for minor surgeries like ear tubes as well as eye exams. 4. Ask your pediatrician if they could recommend facilities that take Medicaid. 5. Your local Health Department will provide flu shots and immunizations, and they will charge Medicaid. Just call ahead to set up an appointment. 6. Your local mental health center takes Medicaid for therapeutic services. Most foster children are evaluated as soon as possible after intake and, if found necessary, will begin receiving services immediately. TravelingWhen flying, if your child has a different last name, some airlines require you to pick up airline tickets directly from the airline counter at the airport. If necessary, do so before the day you travel. Bring all your paperwork or your child's passport with you.If your child uses Medicaid, you may need to purchase additional medical coverage when traveling out of state or out of the country. You can find inexpensive travel coverage at this excellent site. Post Adoption ServicesIf you have special needs or services required to support your adopted child, there are agencies out there who provide support. Most of these agencies are state specific so be sure to ask your case worker or your Resource Family Team Worker, or find resources in your state by following the Laws by State links.
|
