Pre-Service Training
Prospective foster and adoptive parents are trained using the 27-hour Parents Resource for Information Development and Education (PRIDE) pre-service training program. Relative caregivers do not necessarily need to become certified or attend training. Those interested in becoming certified can attend the PRIDE pre-service training.
Services Offered Through the State’s Post-Permanency Support Program
Post-permanency services in Wyoming are administered by the Department of Family Services (DFS), Protective Services Division, through local DFS offices. Local DFS staff support families to access needed community-based services covered by Medicaid. When appropriate community-based services aren’t available or covered by Medicaid, DFS can contract for specialized services from a licensed adoption agency.
Services include:
- Assessment
- Case management
- Educational advocacy
- Respite care
- Information, referral, and advocacy
- Financial supports
- Birth family mediation
For more information, visit dfs.wyo.gov/services/child-youth-services/adoption.
Geographic Area Covered
Services are available statewide.
Eligible Population for the Overall Post-Permanency Program
Accessibility
Wyoming has Language Line available for staff statewide to provide translation services both from English to Spanish and from Spanish to English. Also, some brochures and forms have been translated into Spanish.
Wyoming DFS coordinates and collaborates with Tribal Departments to provide culturally competent services. DFS Tribal Social Services often provides post-permanency services to tribal families.
The post-permanency services address the family’s individual cultural needs on a case-by-case basis.
Outreach and Engagement
DFS staff share information about post-permanency services with families during training, at finalization, and during subsidy negotiations. Information is shared in person during meetings and by phone.
How the Post-Permanency Program Is Operated
Adoption/Guardianship Assistance/Subsidy Review and Changes
Wyoming reviews adoption assistance and guardianship assistance agreements on an annual basis, and parents can request a change at the annual review. Parents can speak to the state adoption assistance worker and supervisor at the local DFS office where the adoption or guardianship agreement was made and explain their child’s needs. Parents can also contact the manager of the local DFS office to further discuss any change to the adoption or guardianship assistance agreement.
Tracking Adoption/Guardianship Discontinuity
The state tracks adoption and guardianship discontinuity in its child welfare data system.
Post-Permanency Program Spending (FY 2023)
Funding Sources for the Post-Permanency Program (FY 2023)
- Adoption/Guardianship Incentive Program Payments (AIPP)
- Adoption savings (reported on CB 496 Part 4 – Annual Adoption Savings Report)
- Title IV-B, Part 2 (Promoting Safe and Stable Families/PSSF)
