Do you know about the state employee adoption incentive program?

Administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Child Welfare, the Adoption Benefit for state employees and other eligible applicants was reestablished in July 2015.

State employees and other eligible applicants who adopt a child from Florida’s child welfare system may receive a one-time lump sum of $10,000 for a special needs child and $5,000 for a non-special needs child. (The amounts are pro-rated for part-time employees.)

Who is an eligible applicant?

Full- or part-time employee of the state (executive, legislative and judicial branches, including the Department of Lottery), the state universities, community colleges, school districts, water management districts and instructional personnel employed by the Florida School for the Deaf and Blind, provided the employee is paid from regular salary appropriations (not OPS or otherwise temporary or casual labor). The employee must meet all eligibility criteria in order to receive the benefit.

What types of adoptions are eligible for the adoption benefit?

If, prior to the adoption, the child was in the permanent custody of the Florida Department of Children and Families and the final order of adoption was granted on or after July 1, 2015 (the inception date of program), the child may be eligible. Children adopted internationally, through interventions or privately do not qualify. 

When are applications accepted?

Applications are accepted during the annual open enrollment period, which this year is March 1 through April 30.

To learn more, visit http://www.adoptflorida.org/state-emp-benefits.shtml.