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More officers than enlisted use adoption pay

More officers than enlisted personnel are taking advantage of a government program that reimburses service members for adoption expenses, according to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

During fiscal 2006, 83 payments were made to service members for reimbursement of adoption expenses, for a total of $161,425, according to DFAS.

Of those, 54 payments were to officers, for a total of $104,925; and 29 payments were to enlisted personnel, for a total of $56,500, according to Carol Garcia, a DFAS spokeswoman.

“It’s not surprising there are more officers, because adoption can be expensive,” said Kathy Moakler, deputy director of government relations for the National Military Family Association. “And there are still a lot of people who do not realize there’s an adoption reimbursement program.”

The military adoption subsidy is a $2,000 reimbursement of certain adoption expenses per child, with a maximum of $5,000 per calendar year for multiple adoptions. It is available for those who use qualified adoption agencies, such as nonprofit agencies. The subsidy reimburses specific adoption costs, including placement fees, legal fees and medical expenses, but it does not include travel expenses.

The National Military Family Association worked with representatives from the The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids, The Adoption Exchange Inc., the Defense Department and others on an adoption guide geared to removing some roadblocks for military families trying to adopt children from foster homes. The recently published guide was funded and produced by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Children’s Bureau.

“Answering the Call: Wherever My Family Is: That's Home! Adoption Services for Military Families” is available free online or by calling (888) 200-4005.