A: The purpose of the Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) is to assist Ohio families after the finalization of their adoption. The subsidy is available to all adoptive families regardless of the type of adoption (international, attorney, public or private agency), with the exception of step-parent adoptions. The child DOES NOT have to meet either the federal or state definition of special needs to receive this subsidy. Each child may be eligible for up to $10,000 per year ($15,000 if residential treatment is recommended by a qualified professional).

All of the following must be met to be eligible for PASSS:

• The family lives in Ohio and the child resides with the parent(s).
• The child has been adopted by someone other than a step parent.
• The child has a physical or developmental disability or mental or emotional condition that either:
  • Existed before the adoption petition was filed.
  • Developed after the adoption petition was filed and is likely due to the child's preadoption background or medical history, or biological family's background or medical history.
• The child meets either of the following requirements:
  • The child is under the age of eighteen.
  • The child is at least eighteen years of age and less than twenty-one years of age and has been diagnosed with a mental or physical disability
• Other sources of assistance are inadequate or are unavailable to meet the child's immediate needs.

A: ​​PASSS is intended to pay for services not covered under other adoption subsidy programs, insurance programs or Medicaid. PASSS funds can be used to cover the following:

• Medical and surgical services
• Psychiatric, psychological, and counseling/therapeutic services
• Residential treatment
• Treatment foster care
• In-patient hospitalization
• Respite

A: There is no fixed income limit for PASSS. The main concern is whether the service your child requires is beyond the family's ability to provide. Therefore, even if you have a good income, if the cost of service is beyond your economic resources, you may be able to receive assistance.

A: Yes! PASSS funding is not restricted by any other adoption funding or assistance.

A: Funding is effective the first date that your application is approved by the Department of Children & Youth (DCY). When you receive your approval letter, it should have an approval date on it. You are able to provide any invoices for approved services from the first date of that month through the end of the PASSS fiscal year. For example, if your approval letter is dated September 19, PASSS funds can be used on any approved services occurring from September 1 through the end of the fiscal year (June 30^th). This aligns with the Ohio Administrative Code 5101:2-44-13.1(B) which states that PASSS funding is effective the first day of the month in which an application is approved by DCY.

A: After a PASSS application is approved, all invoices for reimbursement should be emailed to PASSS@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov — payments will then be made from DCY.

A. Simply send your services provider your PASSS approval letter to let them know you are approved for PASSS funding.

A: Yes! The new fiscal year begins July 1st. You will need a new PASSS application for services beginning on or after July 1st.

A: Yes! You may begin to submit application packet documents for the new fiscal year to OhioKAN starting on May 1st for services that begin after July 1st. This will make completing your application easier when completed applications begin to be processed at the start of the new fiscal year (July 1st).

A: The following documents and their required attachments will all need to be completed to consider a PASSS application complete for submission to DCY for review:

Required Documents

• DCY 01050 – Application for Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy
• DCY 01681 – Applicant Financial Statement
• DCY 01420 - Authorization to Release Confidential SACWIS Information
  • SACWIS ID is not required

Required Attachments

• A clear written statement of the child/young person’s special needs.
• An assessment and/or evaluation from a qualified professional.
• An estimate of the cost of service(s) that will be provided.
• Updated financial information, including most recent IRS 1040.
• A listing of community resources that have been contacted including the date and results of those contacts
• Public or private insurance policy regarding the services required, if applicable, and eligibility for services under this program.

Additional Documents, As Applicable

• DCY 01051 – Application for Additional Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) Funding for Extraordinary Circumstances (if applicable)
• DCY 01052 – Credentials of Professional Providers of PASSS Funded Therapeutic Services and Memorandum of Understanding (if applicable, required for therapeutic services)

A: Yes! Our full application checklist is included with each paper application we mail out, which you can request below.

A: Generally, each application does need new documentation. It is possible to reuse certain forms, typically if they are within 90 days or if nothing has changed. If you are unsure if a form can be reused, you can always contact your OhioKAN Navigator.

A: To download PDF instructions for creating an OH|ID, click here.

The steps are also listed below for your convenience.

1. From the OPPA landing page, select “Log in from OH|ID”
2. Once on the OH|ID sign-in page, select “Create Account”
3. Enter your email in the 2 spaces available and then select “Send PIN” (this will turn blue once the same valid email has been entered in both spaces.)
   1. The PIN should arrive in your email shortly. Once the PIN arrives, copy and paste it into the “Enter PIN” box on the website and then select “Verify.”
   2. Once it has been verified, select “Next”
4. Enter your name, date of birth, and the last four digits of your social security number (optional).
5. Create a username.
6. Create a password with 8-30 characters – must include 1 uppercase letter, 1 lower case letter, 1 number, and a special character.
7. Select “Next”
8. (This step is optional) Set account recovery by entering a cell phone number to get PIN.
   1. Once the PIN arrives by text, enter it into the "Enter PIN" section on the website, and then click "Verify."
   2. Once Verified, select "Next."
9. Review the Terms and Conditions, then select “I Agree.”
   1. Answer the question to confirm you are not a robot and select "Verify."
   2. Once verified, select "Create Account."
10. Once you have received a confirmation email, you will be able to sign into your account. This email may not arrive immediately, it may take several hours to receive.
11. To sign in, go to the OPPA landing page and select “Log in from OH|ID” 1.

A: No, OhioKAN is simply helping families complete and submit their PASSS applications. The Department of Children & Youth will review and approve applications according to eligibility.

Reach out to your assigned OhioKAN Navigator who contacted you and helped you submit your application. If you are unsure who your OhioKAN Navigator is, feel free to call anytime M-F 8:30a - 6:30p ET to speak with a Navigator who can help you check the status of your application.

A. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) form 1099-NEC is a new form beginning in tax year 2020 for nonemployee compensation of $600 or more to a payee. This form should be filed with the IRS, on paper or electronically, and sent to recipients by February 1. The Department of Children & Youth is required to comply with filing the 1099-NEC according to IRS instruction. To ensure correct information is being filed with the IRS, a W-9 must be completed. It is recommended you consult a tax attorney, or tax specialist, to further assist with tax filing questions and processes.

A: If a family has been identified to be responsible for the copay, it is automatically deducted from their approved funding. If a family also owes a copay to the provider, the family is responsible to work with the provider to pay their portion of the copay.