PASSS
As of July 1, 2022, applications for the Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) program will be submitted via OhioKAN for review by ODJFS. OhioKAN Navigators are available to help families complete their application. Please call 1-844-OHIOKAN (1-844-644-6526) Monday - Friday 8:30am - 6:30pm with any questions.

Overview
- The PASSS program is being transitioned from county-level administration to State-level administration to help create a more accessible and consistent process for families across the state
- As of July 1, 2022, families will submit PASSS applications directly to OhioKAN, which will then be reviewed by ODJFS
- Applications for services which occurred prior to July 1, 2022 should still be submitted to your local county Public Children Services Agency (PCSA)
- Applications for services happening on or after July 1, 2022 should be submitted directly to OhioKAN, for review by ODJFS
- Applications for services happening on or after July 1, 2022 can be submitted to OhioKAN early to make completing applications during this transition time easier
- OhioKAN Navigators will be available to help families 1:1 via phone or email to answer any questions and help complete the PASSS application process
- Applications can be submitted in several ways: by requesting a paper packet and mailing it back to OhioKAN; by downloading PDF files and sending them to OhioKAN via apply.passs@kinnectohio.org; and by filling out the application on the new Online PASSS portal
- Paper applications can be mailed to:
OhioKAN PASSS Processing Department
P.O. Box 91039
Cleveland, OH 44101
2022 PASSS
Application Overview
Required Forms
Additional Forms (As Applicable)
Purpose
The purpose of the Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) is to assist Ohio families after the finalization of their adoption. The subsidy is available to all adoptive families regardless of the type of adoption (international, attorney, public or private agency), with the exception of step-parent adoptions. The child DOES NOT have to meet either the federal or state definition of special needs to receive this subsidy. Each child may be eligible for up to $10,000 per year ($15,000 if residential treatment is recommended by a qualified professional).
PASSS funds may be used for reasonable costs of services to address the child's physical condition, developmental disability, mental health, or emotional condition that either existed prior to the adoption or developed after the adoption and can be attributed to factors in the child's preadoption background, medical history, or biological family's background or medical history.
Eligibility
The following eligibility requirements must be met in order to qualify for the PASSS program:
- Child/young person resides in Ohio with the adoptive family
- Child/young person has been adopted by someone other than a step-parent
- Child/young person has a physical or developmental disability or mental or emotional condition that either existed before the adoption petition was filed or developed after the adoption petition was filed and can be directly attributed to factors in the child/young person’s pre-adoption background or medical history, or biological family’s background or medical history
- The child/young person is under the age of eighteen OR the child/young person is at least eighteen years of age and less than twenty-one years of age and has been diagnosed with a mental or physical disability
- Other sources of assistance are inadequate or are unavailable to meet the child/young person’s immediate needs
Contact / Getting Started
Contacting an OhioKAN Navigator is the simplest way to ensure your PASSS application is completed in its entirety. If you would like to talk with an OhioKAN Navigator to ask questions, learn more, and/or receive 1:1 personalized help completing your PASSS application, you can contact a Navigator in several ways:
- Call: 1-844-OHIOKAN (1-844-644-6526) Monday - Friday 8:30am - 6:30pm
- Email: Submit PASSS related questions via email: apply.passs@kinnectohio.org
- Alternative Ways to Connect: Click here for additional ways to connect, including text message
Upon talking with an OhioKAN Navigator, you can schedule an in-person appointment as well.
FAQs
Ways to Apply
If you are familiar with the PASSS application and are ready to start your application for services occurring after July 1, 2022, you can complete the application in three ways:
BY MAIL
You can request a paper application by mail, complete it at home, and return it via the provided pre-paid return envelope.
BY PDF
Download Application PDFs (to fill out and submit via secure email, or to print and mail in).
ONLINE
The new Online PASSS Portal, operated by the State of Ohio, is now live! Please note, you will need an OH|ID, which you can set up as part of this process if you do not have one already.
Mailing Your Application
If you are submitting your application by mail, please send your application and related documents to:
OhioKAN PASSS Processing Department
P.O. Box 91039
Cleveland, OH 44101
Please note: if you request a paper application packet mailed to you, you will receive a pre-paid, pre-addressed return envelope which can be used to return your entire application to OhioKAN.
Upon Receipt of Your Application
Once your application has been received at OhioKAN — if you haven't already been working with an OhioKAN Navigator — a designated OhioKAN Navigator will contact you to confirm receipt of your application, verify all documents were included and completed properly, and submit your application directly into the ODJFS system for review and approval. You will receive a phone call and text message from your assigned OhioKAN Navigator when your application is submitted to ODJFS. Please note: the ODJFS review period for early applications does not begin until July 1, 2022, and can take up to 45 days before a determination is made about approval.
Download Application PDFs
Please use the links below to download the PDF version of the 2022 PASSS Application. These forms are fillable and can be completed on a computer, or printed and completed by hand. Once complete, applications should be mailed to OhioKAN's PASSS Processing Department. You can also scroll down below to request a mailed paper application, including a pre-paid, pre-addressed return envelope.
Application Checklists
Form | Type | Form Name | Download Link |
---|---|---|---|
Paper/Email Application Checklist | Checklist | PASSS APPLICATION CHECKLIST (PAPER/EMAIL APPLICATION) | Download Form |
Portal Application Checklist | Checklist | PASSS APPLICATION CHECKLIST (ONLINE PORTAL) | Download Form |
Application Forms
Form # | Status | Form Name | Download Link |
---|---|---|---|
JFS-01050 | Required | Application for Post Adoption Special Services Subsidy (PASSS) | Download PDF |
JFS-01681 | Required | Applicant Financial Statement | Download PDF |
JFS-01420 | Required for Paper Applications | Authorization to Release Confidential SACWIS Information | Download PDF |
JFS-01051 | As Applicable | Application for Additional PASSS Funding for Extraordinary Circumstances | Download PDF |
JFS-01052 | As Applicable | Credentials of Professional Providers of PASSS Funded Therapeutic Services and Memorandum of Understanding | Download PDF |
Respite Provider Information | As Applicable | Respite Provider Information - Fillable Form | Download PDF |
Instructional PDFs
These PDFs are not required to submit as part of your completed PASSS application, but include helpful instructions for completing each application form.
Form # | Type | Form Name | Download Link |
---|---|---|---|
JFS 01050-I | Instructional | INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING JFS 01050 | Download PDF |
JFS 01051-I | Instructional | INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING JFS 01051 | Download PDF |
JFS 01052-I | Instructional | INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING JFS 01052 | Download PDF |
JFS 04059 | Instructional | EXPLANATION OF STATE HEARING PROCEDURES | Download PDF |
PASSS Full Application Preview
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Request Application by Mail
Please use the form below to request a PASSS application be mailed to you. This will include a pre-paid, return address envelope for mailing your completed application back to OhioKAN.
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