42 U.S.C. § 254c-7 : US Code - Section 254C-7: Special needs adoption programs; public awareness campaign and other activities

Search 42 U.S.C. § 254c-7 : US Code - Section 254C-7: Special needs adoption programs; public awareness campaign and other activities

(a) Special needs adoption awareness campaign
(1) In general
The Secretary shall, through making grants to nonprofit private
entities, provide for the planning, development, and carrying out
of a national campaign to provide information to the public
regarding the adoption of children with special needs.
(2) Input on planning and development
In providing for the planning and development of the national
campaign under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall provide for
input from a number and variety of adoption organizations
throughout the States in order that the full national diversity
of interests among adoption organizations is represented in the
planning and development of the campaign.
(3) Certain features
With respect to the national campaign under paragraph (1):
(A) The campaign shall be directed at various populations,
taking into account as appropriate differences among geographic
regions, and shall be carried out in the language and cultural
context that is most appropriate to the population involved.
(B) The means through which the campaign may be carried out
include -
(i) placing public service announcements on television,
radio, and billboards; and
(ii) providing information through means that the Secretary
determines will reach individuals who are most likely to
adopt children with special needs.
(C) The campaign shall provide information on the subsidies
and supports that are available to individuals regarding the
adoption of children with special needs.
(D) The Secretary may provide that the placement of public
service announcements, and the dissemination of brochures and
other materials, is subject to review by the Secretary.
(4) Matching requirement
(A) In general
With respect to the costs of the activities to be carried out
by an entity pursuant to paragraph (1), a condition for the
receipt of a grant under such paragraph is that the entity
agree to make available (directly or through donations from
public or private entities) non-Federal contributions toward
such costs in an amount that is not less than 25 percent of
such costs.
(B) Determination of amount contributed
Non-Federal contributions under subparagraph (A) may be in
cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, including plant, equipment,
or services. Amounts provided by the Federal Government, or
services assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by
the Federal Government, may not be included in determining the
amount of such contributions.
(b) National resources program
The Secretary shall (directly or through grant or contract) carry
out a program that, through toll-free telecommunications, makes
available to the public information regarding the adoption of
children with special needs. Such information shall include the
following:
(1) A list of national, State, and regional organizations that
provide services regarding such adoptions, including exchanges
and other information on communicating with the organizations.
The list shall represent the full national diversity of adoption
organizations.
(2) Information beneficial to individuals who adopt such
children, including lists of support groups for adoptive parents
and other postadoptive services.
(c) Other programs
With respect to the adoption of children with special needs, the
Secretary shall make grants -
(1) to provide assistance to support groups for adoptive
parents, adopted children, and siblings of adopted children; and
(2) to carry out studies to identify -
(A) the barriers to completion of the adoption process; and
(B) those components that lead to favorable long-term
outcomes for families that adopt children with special needs.
(d) Application for grant
The Secretary may make an award of a grant or contract under this
section only if an application for the award is submitted to the
Secretary and the application is in such form, is made in such
manner, and contains such agreements, assurances, and information
as the Secretary determines to be necessary to carry out this
section.
(e) Funding
For the purpose of carrying out this section, there are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for
each of the fiscal years 2001 through 2005.