The Adoption Support Maintenance Payment caseload is a count of all children whose foster parents are currently receiving Adoption Support program payments. The Adoption Support Maintenance Payment program encourages adoption of children from DSHS foster care who, because of age, race, physical condition or emotional health, would not otherwise be placed for adoption. To be eligible for the program, the child must be under 18 years of age, in foster or group care placement, and considered hard to place. Payments include a monthly stipend and may include additional support for child care, respite, counseling, and incidentals.