text:
- Address:
2900 Bayport Drive
Tampa, FL 33607Neighborhood:
- Cuisine:
SeafoodPrice: $31 to $50
- Dining Style: Casual Elegant
- Website: http://www.oystercatchersrestaurant.com/
- Phone: 8132076815x
- Hours of Operation:
Back by popular demand Oystercatchers patio/bar area is now serving a light lunch on Saturdays from 11:30, no reservations needed. Our award winning Sunday Brunch is served from 10:30am to 2:00pm. We serve lunch Monday thru Friday from 11:30am to 2:30pm and join us for a dinner experience like no other Monday thru Saturday from 5:30pm-10:00pm. Sunday 6:00pm-9:00pm. Join us for our fabulous Sunday Brunch
Adult $52.00 per person
($26.00 4-11yr)
Child under 4 free
- Payment Options: AMEX,Diners Club,Discover,MasterCard,Visa
- Cuisine: Organic, Steak, Seafood
- Executive Chef: Michael Chong
- Dress Code: Smart Casual
- Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
- Additional Details: Banquet/Private Rooms, Bar Dining, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Fireplace, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Area, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Personal wines welcome, Personal wines welcome (corkage fee applies), Private Room, Smoking Area, Smoking Area (patio only), Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine
- Entertainment: Join us for Live Entertainment on Tuesdays and Saturdays @ 7PM
A word from Oystercatchers
Oystercatchers is located on the shores of the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay. You drive down a winding road into the Ruelle as you approach the illuminated circle drive flanked by palm trees and bright flowerbeds. As you enter the restaurant through the lounge, you are taken back by the spectacular panoramic view of Old Tampa Bay. With its innovative cocktails and contemporary furniture, the lounge, outside patio and lower bay-level deck provide a comfortable yet chic hotspot for locals and visitors alike. Our visually stimulating water views and sunsets provide a unique environment to enjoy feature wines and appetizers. Our menu highlights an array of the freshest, wild and line caught fish available, organic produce and seafood specialties with a unique and contemporary flair. Oystercatchers... Even our sunsets are made fresh daily.Continued
Foodspotting photosSee all photos
Awards voted by OpenTable diners
- Diners' Choice WinnerBest Ambiance
- Diners' Choice WinnerGreat for Brunch
- Diners' Choice WinnerScenic View
Oystercatchers - Best Restaurants in Tampa ›
Oystercatchers reviews from OpenTable diners
152 reviews since May 26, 2014
- Food4.5Service4.5
- Ambiance4.5Noise LevelModerate
scenic view (136)special occasion (103)romantic (77)fit for foodies (66)great for brunch (52)great for outdoor dining (47)good for groups (40)great for lunch (33)notable wine list (23)hot spot (16)neighborhood gem (14)kid-friendly (13)vibrant bar scene (9)late-night find (7)Show More
- OpenTable Diner Since 2011Dined on 9/20/20146:30 reservation was made a few days in advance and had a wonderful view in a bay window overlooking Tampa Bay. The sun was spectacular as it set. For only a few well timed minutes before it set, the motorized see through shades came down so the sun would not spoil the view. Everything was terrific. Only if the sound level could be reduced some.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Expensive but great foodSunnyflaDined on 9/20/2014Had a family dinner here last week. Food was expensive but great, we got the water view table we requested, service was very good. Only thing that could have been better was there was a little too long of a wait for our server to come between courses. The lobster Mac and cheese was a big hit - we shared one order among us. The various seafood entrees were all delicious and all of the entrees came out at the same time. Key lime pie was great too.Special Features:
- Best scallops in Tampa BayJoecDined on 9/20/2014We eat out 3 or 4 times a month and always try to visit different restaurants. Oystercatchers is the best seafood we have had in the bay area. We sat outside, what a view! Our server, Drew, was terrific. You don't mind paying a bit more for great food, ambiance and service.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Simply the bestOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 9/20/2014Cocktails were creative, fresh and delicious! For appetizers we had the oysters and the pork belly. Unlike anything we have had before. The flavors were a perfect combination. For dinner hubby and I split the seafood grill with the crab grits. Everything was cooked to perfection and so delicious. The view was superb, looking forward to return soonSpecial Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- A wonderful experienceluvfoodDined on 9/19/2014Outstanding evening. We were given an excellent table with a view of the gulf. Our waiter was very professional, attentive but not intrusive. Service was not rushed with thoughtful timing between appetizer and entree. Even the wine service was timely, with more concern for our enjoyment rather than emptying the bottle so we might buy another. It was a Birthday celebration and the restaurant made it a special one.The food preparation was outstanding, we could not have asked for a more enjoyable evening.Special Features:
- Memorable eveningOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 9/18/2014It felt like our anniversary, though not for another couple months. View, food,wine,staff and ambiance amazing!!!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great food and great serviceOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 9/14/2014Very attentive staff, amazing view and great food. Couldn't have pick a better place for my anniversary.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Business LunchOpenTable Diner Since 2010VIPDined on 9/12/2014We went there for a convenient place near the airport. The people we were meeting took the hotel shuttle so they did not have to rent car and find the location. Food was great. We had a quiet corner with a great few to discuss our topics.Special Features:
- In and out in under 15 minutesOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 9/10/2014We pulled up to drop off the ladies in our foursome and were greeted by a valet. No sign for valet, he wasn't wearing a uniform or even a name tag. I said I would like to self park, he made a nasty comment and left the door ajar. (btw, it is my custom to tip the valet even when I self park, but not this time). We then entered the restaurant, were greeted pleasantly, then seated. Very nice decor, however, I did request a table with a view of the sunset. We were seated behind a pole with only one person having a view. (there were other tables available) Then the power went out, just for about a minute. Then, the power went out again for good. We were not offered drinks or anything, the restaurant started to fill with smoke, we left.Special Features:
- Great DiningTempleDined on 9/7/2014Excellent seafood especially the yellowfin tuna and the oysters. Friendly staff and really nice position makes this ideal for a special occasion with a great sunset view over Tampa Bay.Special Features:
- Always impressedLuvcatchersDined on 9/6/2014The venue is one of the best in Florida. The service seems to be better every time. The food NEVER disappoints!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- anniversarygreatbitesoutDined on 9/5/2014First time dinning wanted a nice out of the way place not a commercial type place this was the perfect fit. Great view great sunset. Service tip notch. Very much a seafood restaurant but the filet was perfect one of best I have had. Lobster mac and cheese also a must try.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Delicious!AnnaDined on 8/31/2014Great buffet brunch with endless mimosas! Also a bloody Mary bar. The food was great and the view is perfection!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Sunday BrunchTLW1VIPDined on 8/31/2014Still the best Sunday Brunch in Tampa. Worth the money for the variety of food stations, fresh seafood and unlimited champagne. Great water view.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- OpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 8/31/2014Sitting looking out at the water and eating great food--doesn't get any better. Thanks Oystercatchers.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great service, great food!KmilDined on 8/30/2014One of my favorite places to eat in Tampa. One of the few places I've found great care is put into every course of the meal. Love the Grouper.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Best Restaurant in TampaPaneNotDined on 8/28/2014Oystercathers is a genuine Pearl! Upon entering the restaurant, you are greeted by a warm and friendly maitre de, and escorted to your table (with a smile!). The waitstaff was friendly, informative (not overbearing) with local food recommendations and wine pairings, and very accommodating. The view from our table was breathtaking. We dined at sunset. It was a magical painted picture. We had the blackened grouper and filet mignon. Both were expertly prepared, piping hot on delivery and full of flavor. The sourdough bread which was delivered hot & fresh with Vermont Cream Butter and smoked sea salt, it was intoxicating. That is almost reason enough to try this great restaurant. We ended our meal with freshly baked key lime pie. WOW!Special Features:
- OversoldRPDinerDined on 8/28/2014We found the food okay, but not outstanding, especially considering the prices. Good service. Great view. Rather out of the way.
- Outstanding!!Gwap903Dined on 8/24/2014Was our first visit, I was happy to see we received a window seat as requested, the wife and I found it to be exceptional, *our only regret was we arrived 1400 hours (reservation) to find the brunch was over at 1430 hours, a bit disappointing but I guess that's my fault for not observing the brunch schedule, that aside we will definitely be returning (earlier brunch next time) and we are looking forward to trying it for diner very soon as well. PS: I believe our waiter was Damian (I hope thats correct) he did an excellent job taking care of us. thank you Damian.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- SeamusDined on 8/23/2014Excellent food and fine service. Portions are of a reasonable size, quite satisfactory. Pricey but worth the cost.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great food and serviceAvatarDined on 8/23/2014We have been to this restaurant a few times, and always enjoyed the beautiful scenic views, good food and great service. I wish it wasn't as pricey, so we could enjoy it more often!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Phenomenal food/ great view of bayfoodieVIPDined on 8/23/2014It is a "sin" in my book to visit a great city with several great restaurants and dine at the same place twice. I intentionally broke this moral code with OysterCatchers. Ate there on Saturday and then again for Sunday brunch. Daniel was our exceptional waiter... Service was impeccable. Conversation was sincere. Steve the manager also gave us individual attention. Very well run and they both infused a sense of belonging to our outstanding experience ... With a perfect view of the Bay, food that made me want to cry... Service that was outstanding. A Tampa blessing!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Beautiful FindOpenTable Diner Since 2013Dined on 8/22/2014So glad I found this place! Best seafood and dinner choices in Tampa. Everything my party of 12 had was amazing! The service from our waiter Max was superb. The only reason I did not give 5 stars overall is because my party did not get seated until our entire group arrived even though I asked for them to be seated as they arrived and given appetizers.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- A Pleasant SurpriseFoodieVIPDined on 8/22/2014We travel once a month to Tampa and always look for a new place to dine. Although Oystercatchers is not new, we had not heard of it. Upon finding it and looking at the menu, we decided to try it as it was on the way to a concert we were going to in Clearwater. The seafood is fresh and is served with wonderful sides and lovely presentation. Our server Charles was very knowledgeable about the menu and wine list and had wonderful suggestions as well as a great sense of humor (which we LOVE). Oystercatchers is a throwback to when service was on par with the fine quality of food. Although we do enjoy dining a restaurants that are more modern in style and service, this type of restaurant is a dying breed and thoroughly appreciated by us.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- ServersOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 8/21/2014Our servers were wonderful. Very helpful and very attentive. Perfect!!Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great place to gave a good timeGr8tmealDined on 8/19/2014Nice, elegant, romantic and quality place to have dinner and downtime. Red snapper was great:)Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- OpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 8/18/2014Excellent fish and seafood. I am a fisherman and rarely say that about any restaurant as I eat the freshest fish all the time. However, the fish here was very good.Special Features:
- StuartyDined on 8/17/2014Brunch was very good with so much to choose from. Waiter was a bit slow at first but warmed up when he realised that we were there for a good time !Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Love this placeBefersDined on 8/17/2014My wife and I go here a few times a year for Sunday brunch. Never disappoints. Can't wait to be back.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Good views, bad food, bad serviceWalterDined on 8/16/201435 min wait with a reservation, the black grouper was very over done, took 2.5 hours to get out of there with two people, overall bad experience.
- palealeblondeDined on 8/16/2014It was a great place to have lunch. the view is awesome and the food is just perfect!Special Features:
- The food was life- changingLOVEURFOODDined on 8/15/2014My server was fantastic and the food even better. I will return on my travels again and again.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great!GoodCatchTampaDined on 8/14/2014Wonderful food and experience. Very efficient, helpful and pleasant waiter.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- OpenTable Diner Since 2007Dined on 8/9/2014great food and service - had a window and watched the sunset. so very coolI would recommend this to a friend.
- ImpressiveFCBarcelonaVIPDined on 8/8/2014Excellent snapper & lobster tempura. Great seafoodSpecial Features:
- Great restaurantAlexDined on 8/8/2014My husband and I were in Tampa this weekend, and I found this restaurant on tripadvisor. We took a chance, and we were happy we did. The food was amazing. The presentation, the quality and the taste was great. It was a little on the pricy side, but what do you expect for a nice dinner? We will go back there when we are in town.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Great food but priceyTerryDined on 8/7/2014Spent a week in the Tampa area trying to find good seafood, this was it, but at a cost of over $200 for 3 people.Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.
- Longtime CustomerTheFloridianVIPDined on 8/3/2014While the view is wonderful and the food is still very good, the service has been declining for some reason. We had been longtime regular customers for many many years, but had not been in over a year after noticing a decline in the quality of service. We returned this week hoping to see that it had turned around and was stunned to have received not only poor service but what I would consider the worst service I have ever experienced in a restaurant of any kind. We enjoy fine dining and do not mind paying a few hundred dollars for nice evening out but to spend that much for an unpleasant experience is not acceptable. I do hope this was a fluke at what is otherwise a nice restaurant. However, we will not be returning.Special Features:
- Not bad, just dissappointingOpenTable Diner Since 2014Dined on 8/3/2014I used to frequent the OC brunch with my family while I lived with them. Two years away at college and it just doesn't feel special anymore. I'd expect to pay about $20, overlook the "ehh" stuff and be happy with what we got. To spend $280 feeding 5 people though, we felt like chumps for taking my mom here to celebrate her birthday - My dad and I agreed that visibly cut corners made it hard to take pride in where we had brought her. Please don't slash the number of offerings at the brunch, but I can't see my family coming back until we know that half-hearted sections of the brunch have been addressed. I would love to try again when OC has made every part of the brunch a high-caliber experience.Special Features:
- Awesome!Aura58VIPDined on 8/2/2014The best scallops I have ever eaten! Melted in your mouth! Waiter was attentive and friendly. Can't wait to go back !Special Features:I would recommend this to a friend.


text:
The experience of an Active Adult lifestyle
The McKee experience combines extraordinary homes, vibrant neighborhoods and unique locations to deliver more of what you envision in a 55+ lifestyle community.
- Learn More -
McKee Quick Delivery homes are ready and waiting for your finishing touches at all of our beautiful 55+ lifestyle communities in Delaware and Pennsylvania.
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subset: commoncrawl


text:
MPS Comps
There's a little bit of the hot dog in Magnus Paarjavi-Svensson. Kind of Jaromir Jagr meets Les McKeown. That will no doubt be a side story in the career of MPS as an Edmonton Oiler, following in the footsteps of items like "why does MacT hate Schremp?" and "what CAN Tom Poti eat for crying out loud?" in the years to come.
We're not concerned with that right now. What we're looking for is a reasonable 18-year old comparable from the Swedish Elite League that might help us project this kid into the future. With the season now done the young man ranks "in the range" with some well known SEL teenagers over the years.
- Markus Naslund 39gp, 22-18-40 (1.03)
- Tomas Sandstrom 36gp, 23-14-37 (1.03)
- Daniel Sedin 50gp, 21-21-42 (.840)
- Henrik Sedin 49gp, 12-22-34 (.694)
- Peter Forsberg 39gp, 9-18-27 (.692)
- Magnus Paarjavi-Svensson 49gp, 12-17-29 (.592)
- Nicklas Backstrom 46gp, 10-16-26 (.565)
- Anze Kopitar 47gp, 8-12-20 (.426)
Not everyone on the list is Swedish but they all played at 18 in the SEL. Backstrom and Kopitar rank below MPS here but it is important to remember that they (and Forsberg) were still in their development stages and had another gear. We don't know if our guy has overdrive.
Which player do I like best as a comp? Tomas Sandstrom. Why? Both have/had size and skill, both were well known as teenagers (Sandstrom had a couple of strong WJC's) and both counted foot speed and shooting ability as their calling cards as young men. Both were/are aggressive and capable of playing a physical game. As for the difference in their scoring totals and points-per-game (above), Sandstrom played on a team that scored 3.97 goals per game (143 in 36gp) and MPS plays on a team scoring 2.53 goals per game (137 in 54gp).
This kid could be the worst player on the list above by quite a bit and still be a helluva player.


text:
United States
Ohio State Subsidy Profile
Updated August 2009
State Subsidy Contact Person
Dan Shook
Office for Children and Families
4200 E Fifth Ave
Columbus, OH 43219
Phone: 614-752-0619
Fax: 614-752-0656
E-mail: email@example.com
NACAC Subsidy Representatives (parent/volunteer)
Tim O'Hanlon
1371 Virginia Avenue
Columbus, OH 43212
Home: 614-299-0177
Fax: 614-728-8366
E-mail: email@example.com
Web: www.fpsol.com/adoption/advocates.html
Adoption subsidies are available for children with special needs. Federal subsidies were created by Congress (through Public Law 96-272—the Adoption Assistance and Child Welfare Act of 1980) to encourage the adoption of special needs children and remove the financial disincentives to adoption for the families. Children may receive a federally funded subsidy under Title IV-E or a state-funded subsidy as per state guidelines. Below we have outlined information related to definitions of special needs, benefits available, and procedures in your state. Answers to select questions were made available by the Association of Administrators of the Interstate Compact on Adoption and Medical Assistance (AAICAMA) through the Child Welfare Information Gateway (www.childwelfare.gov). Profiles for each state's subsidy program are available on our web site at www.nacac.org. If you have additional questions, please call the North American Council on Adoptable Children (NACAC) at 651-644-3036 or our subsidy help line at 800-470-6665, or e-mail us at firstname.lastname@example.com. If you have state-specific questions, please call your State Subsidy Contact Person or the NACAC Subsidy Representative (listed above) for more information.
Adoption Resources on the Web:
Ohio's state-specific medical assistance links:
and Consumer Information:
Ohio's adoption assistance links:
(See the ODJFS Factsheet on Adoption, Supporting Families after Finalization, Adoption Subsidies)
Ohio Revised Code 5153.163
Ohio's Administrative Code 5101:2-44 and 5101:2-49
1. What specific factors or conditions does your State consider to determine that a child cannot be placed with adoptive parents without providing financial assistance? ("What is your State definition of special needs?")
A child with special needs is defined as a child that has at least one of the following needs or circumstances that may be a barrier to placement or adoption without financial assistance:
Note: Children must be legally free for adoption and in the custody of the state of Ohio/public children services agency or private child-placing agency to be eligible for adoption.
2. What are the eligibility criteria for the State-funded adoption assistance program?
In order to be eligible for state-funded adoption assistance a child must be a special needs child as defined above, legally free for adoption, and in the custody of a public children services agency or private child-placing agency. The child must also be under the age of eighteen, or between the ages of eighteen and twenty-one with a mental or physical disability as diagnosed by a qualified professional, placed in an adoptive home approved by a public children services agency, private child placing agency or private non-custodial agency. Additionally, the adoptive family must undergo a resource analysis often referred to as a means test. The analysis is conducted to determine if the adoptive family's resources exceed state eligibility requirements. The adoptive family must have the capability of providing the permanent family relationships needed by the child in all areas except financial need, in need of services beyond the economic resources of the adoptive family and that it would not be in the best interest of the child to place the child with the prospective adoptive parent(s) without providing assistance.
3. The maximum basic monthly adoption assistance maintenance payment in Ohio is:
Basic rates (upper limits)—federal IV-E and state subsidy: $240/month
Note: Counties may supplement the non-federal share beyond $240 up to the family foster care limit. The state will provide the non-federal match for adoption assistance payments at or below $240 per month per child, beginning with the September subsidy payments. County agencies will be responsible for providing the non-federal match amount for payments above $240.
4. Specialized rates are based on the extraordinary needs of the child, and/or the additional parenting skill needed to raise the child. If Ohio offers these rates, the criteria used to define them are as follows:
These rates are based on the individual needs of each child and circumstances of the family. The rates are not to exceed the foster care maintenance rate and are set at the county level.
5. Parents can receive payment or reimbursement for certain nonrecurring adoption expenses directly related to the finalization of an adoption. Below are the allowed expenses and the limit per child.
Reimbursement is available for: adoptive home studies; legal fees and court costs; transportation, meals, and lodging; reasonable adoption fees; medical exams for the adoptive parents; expenses related to the supervision of the adoptive placement; and other nonrecurring expenses subject to prior approval by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) for services which are directly related to a special needs adoption.
International adoptees are potentially eligible. The child must be determined a child with special needs. A child is considered special needs if the public children services agency determines the child cannot be returned to the home of his parents. This determination is the public children services agency's verification of the existence of an order from a court of competent jurisdiction terminating parental rights, or; the existence of a petition for the termination
of parental rights, or; a signed relinquishment of the child by the birth parents. The application for reimbursement of nonrecurring adoption expenses must be submitted to the public children services agency for approval prior to legalization of the adoption. The application cannot be approved retroactively.
The reimbursement limit is $1,000 per child.
6. What Medicaid services are available in Ohio?
The state contact person is Barbara Edwards, Deputy Director, Office of Medicaid (614-644-0140).
7. Children who have federally funded (Title IV-E) subsidy are automatically eligible for Medicaid benefits. However, it is the state's decision whether state-funded (non-Title IV-E) children are eligible for Medicaid benefits in Ohio. Below is information on the Medicaid benefits available for state-funded children.
Children who are receiving a state adoption subsidy can be found eligible by the county department of human services for covered families and children (CFC) Medicaid, based upon the child's income, resources and special needs for medical, mental health or rehabilitative care. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services works cooperatively with public children services agencies and the county department of job and family services (CDJFS) in determining Medicaid eligibility. Children placed by either a public or private agency may be eligible. Special needs children receiving a state adoption subsidy receive the same Medicaid coverage as IV-E eligible children.
8. What mental health services are provided by your State?
Public mental health services for children in Ohio are administered by the Department Jobs and Family Services through their Medicaid program and other sources. Mental health services include the following examples: hospitalization, physician services, prescription drugs, and mental health services. Specific mental health services include:
PASSS may also be used as another source of funding for children's mental health services in Ohio. PASSS provides funding to families for the reasonable costs of allowable services to address the child's physical or developmental handicap or mental or emotional condition. The child's condition may have existed before the adoption petition was filed; or developed after the adoption petition was filed and can be attributed to factors in the child's pre-adoption background or medical history or the biological family's background or medical history.
See the Ohio Department of Mental Health link: http://www.mh.state.oh.us/
Ohio Medicaid Programs fact sheet link: http://jfs.ohio.gov/ohp/bcps/FactSheets/MedicaidPrograms.pdf.
National Institute of Mental Health children and adolescent's mental health link:
Note: Not all services may be available in all cases. Contact your adoption assistance worker or medical assistance specialist for information regarding process, eligibility, availability, and duration of services.
9. Does your State provide additional finances or services for medical or therapeutic needs not covered under your State medical plan to children receiving adoption assistance?
See Question #10 for information on Ohio's Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) Program.
10. What types of post adoption services are available in your State and how do you find out more about them?
Ohio offers a program known as Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS). PASSS is negotiated after adoption finalization and provides funding to families for the reasonable costs of allowable services to address the child's physical or developmental handicap or mental or emotional condition. The child's condition may have existed before the adoption petition was filed; or developed after the adoption petition was filed and can be attributed to factors in the child's pre-adoption background or medical history or the biological family's background or medical history. Limitations include eligibility criteria and state funding ability. Funding is only available when the assistance sought exceeds the adoptive family's private resources and assistance is capped at $10, 000 per fiscal year. Families may request an additional $5,000 per child, per fiscal year under if extraordinary circumstances apply. Applications for assistance are reviewed by a Review Committee and can be approved in whole or in part, based on the needs of the child and the circumstances of the adoptive family. An adoptive family may access up to $15,000 per year in PASSS funding.
PASSS funds may be used for the following: psychological/psychiatric therapy (individual or family counseling) speech therapy, customized physical equipment/devices, medical supplies, rehabilitative services, and surgical costs. If assistance is not granted, or not granted in the amount requested, adoptive parents may request a fair hearing. See Question #22 for information regarding fair hearings.
Respite Care— Yes. Medical and mental health respite services may be covered under the PASSS program. Families should contact their Public Children's Services Agency (PCSA) worker in their county for more information on how to access this service. In addition, many private organizations offer a variety of respite options. See the ARCH National Respite Network Respite Locator Service, search by state to locate Ohio's respite programs, link: http://www.respitelocator.org/.
Note: Not all services may be available in all cases. Contact your adoption assistance worker or post adoption services contact for information regarding process, eligibility, availability, and duration of services.
11. If the additional assistance (listed above in questions #8 -10) is to cover specific services (e.g., counseling/mental health services, respite care, etc.), must these services be explicitly identified in the adoption assistance agreement?
There is a separate application form for PASSS. The application/agreement form for PASSS requires specificity regarding the problem and service or array of services requested to deal with the need.
12. How are residential treatment costs covered (if at all) for adoptive families? What procedures must a family follow to receive these services?
PASSS does cover some residential care, based upon approval of the PCSA Review Committee. The limited amount of funding available may require the agency to seek coordinated funding from other systems serving children, especially the mental health and mental retardation systems. Families may also receive funding to support residential care from individual county agencies, through interagency collaboration, and from the State Interdepartmental Cluster if cases are referred by county councils or clusters.
13. A deferred adoption assistance agreement is one in which the initial monthly maintenance amount is $0. Does Ohio offer such agreements?
Yes, Ohio offers an agreement with a zero payment. Currently in Ohio if a child has a substantial risk, there is an adoption assistance agreement with zero payment and the child is not eligible for a Medical card until the condition manifests.
14. Does Ohio operate a subsidized guardianship program?
Programmatic Procedures
15. Who makes the final determination of a child's subsidy eligibility in Ohio? What roles, if any, do workers and administrators at the county, district, or regional level play in eligibility determination and/or assistance negotiation?
Ohio's child protection program is a state-supervised/county-administered program. Eligibility determination is the responsibility of the PCSA in each of Ohio's 88 counties. The PASSS program requires a PCSA to establish a Review Committee. One member of the committee must be a professional who is not part of the PCSA system. The Review Committee plays a major role in recommending the amount of subsidy provided for the services requested by the family, but not in determining basic eligibility.
16. Will Ohio consider my family income to determine my child's eligibility for an adoption subsidy?
Family income is not considered when determining Title IV-E eligibility for children, although it is a factor in determining the amount of assistance. Income scales are currently used in determining eligibility for state-funded adoption assistance. Parents are eligible for state adoption maintenance if their gross income does not exceed 120 percent of the median income of a family of the same size. State law requires that PASSS eligibility be related to the fact that needed expenditures are "beyond the means" of the adoptive family. Income scales are not used and eligibility is a case-by-case judgment made by the PCSA.
17. When do subsidy payments begin?
Adoption assistance payments and benefits may begin at adoption placement.
18. Do children adopted from private agencies in Ohio receive the same subsidies as those children adopted from public agencies?
Private agencies follow the same procedures in establishing subsidy as the public children services agency. The private child-placing agency must establish eligibility through the public agencies. The public children services agency or private child placing agency must determine that the child cannot or should not be returned to the home of his parents. They must also determine that there are specific factors or conditions which indicate that in order to complete or sustain the adoption or ensure that the child's special needs are met, it is not in the child's best interest to be placed with an adoptive parent(s) without the provision of adoption assistance and/or medical assistance. The public children services agency or private child placing agency must document that a reasonable but unsuccessful effort was made to place the child with an appropriate adoptive parent(s) without providing adoption assistance or medical assistance.
19. When my child turns 18, which benefits, if any, are available to our family?
State-Funded Subsidies—Payments cease when a child reaches 18 (or 21 if s/he has a mental or physical handicap).
Federal Adoption Subsidy—Payments cease when a child reaches 18 unless the child is determined to have a mental or physical disability, in which case payments would continue until that person is 21.
20. A child's adoption assistance agreement may be periodically reviewed by the state. What is the typical process used in Ohio?
Determination of continuing eligibility for IV-E and state-funded adoption maintenance must be completed every year or whenever there is significant change in a family's situation. Eligibility for PASSS must be re-determined every state fiscal year.
21. Can adoption assistance agreements be modified if requested by adoptive parents?
Adoptive parents can request a change in the adoption assistance agreement at any time by contacting the PCSA that administers the adoption assistance agreement. The parent would contact their local PCSA and request the change to the adoption assistance agreement. Changes are made by amendments to the agreement or modification of existing amendments in the adoption assistance agreement. If the parent and the agency cannot agree on a negotiated amount for the amendment to the agreement that is being requested, the parent can request a state hearing. An adoptive parent that does not receive a requested change may request a fair hearing pursuant to division level designation of the Administrative Code. See Question #22 for information regarding fair hearings.
22. What are the exact steps a family must go through to access the fair hearing/appeal process in Ohio?
If an adoptive family receives a notice denying the requested amount of the adoption assistance, reducing the assistance, terminating assistance, or services, the notice will contain a form to request a fair hearing. Parents are directed to fill out the request form and mail it to State Hearings at the address listed below. Families may also fax hearing requests to State Hearings at 614.728.9574. Requests for fair hearing must be received within fifteen (15) days of the mailing date on the notice. If an adoptive parent receives a notice that assistance or services will be reduced, restricted, or terminated, the action will not be taken until the hearing is decided if the hearing request is received within the fifteen (15) days. To request a fair hearing, a family may call or write the local agency or write to the following address:
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, State Hearings
30 East Broad Street, 31st Floor
Columbus, Ohio 43215-3414
Further Information:
When will the hearing be held?
After the bureau of state hearings receives a request for a fair hearing, the adoptive family is sent a notice giving the date, time, and place of the hearing. This notice will be sent at least ten (10) days before the hearing. The notice also will tell parents what to do if they cannot come to the hearing as scheduled.
Where are hearings held?
Hearings are usually held at the local agency. If parents are unable to go there, the hearing may be held some other place convenient to the family and to the other people involved. If parents want the hearing held somewhere other than the local agency, they are directed to inform the agency of this on the hearing request.
Postponement of the hearing
If a parent cannot come to the hearing as scheduled, or if they need more time to prepare, they can ask the hearings section for a postponement. In the adoption assistance program, parents must present a good reason in order to postpone a hearing.
If a parent does not attend the hearing
The Bureau of State Hearings will issue adoptive parents a dismissal notice if they do not come to the hearing. If a parent wishes to continue with a hearing request, they must contact the hearings section within ten (10) days and explain why they did not come to the hearing. The hearings section will decide whether the adoptive parent had a good reason (show good cause) that prevented them from attending the hearing. If a parent does not call within ten days and show good cause, the hearing will be dismissed and the adoptive parent will lose the hearing. The local agency will then go forward with the action it was planning to take. If an adoptive parent disagrees with the dismissal, the dismissal notice will inform the parent how to ask for an administrative appeal of the dismissal.
23. Families may request a subsidy after the finalization of an adoption under certain circumstances. Below is the process by which families access a subsidy after finalization.
Families should first contact the county in which they reside. If the applicant does not reside in Ohio, and the child was placed by an Ohio Public Children Services Agency (PCSA), Private Child Placing Agency (PCPA), or a Private Non-Custodial Agency (PNA), an application is submitted to the county where the placing agency is located.
Within forty-five (45) days of submission of a completed application and supporting documentation, written notice of the decision shall be provided to the applicant by the PCSA. The notice shall contain a reason for denial if funding is not provided and upon the applicant's request, a state hearing shall be granted.
System Operation and Program Funding
24. How is the subsidy program operated and funded in Ohio?
Ohio is operated under a state supervised/county administered system. This means that the state office makes policy and indirectly supervises the county agencies. The county agencies work directly with families and make eligibility decisions. The federal participation rate for Ohio's Title IV-E maintenance assistance payments is 63.02%.
The first $240 of a monthly IV-E adoption assistance payment is paid entirely with federal and state funds (i.e., federal share = 60%, state share = 40%). Federal reimbursement also covers 60 percent of any monthly amount over $240. However, county agencies are responsible for the non-federal portion of each dollar over $240 per month.
25. Below are other programs that may delineate Ohio's adoption assistance program from others around the country.
Ohio operates the Post-Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS), which is discussed throughout this profile.