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Adoption and Guardianship Assistance Office Contact List

Adoption & Guardianship Assistance Office
Suite 612, PO Box 30037
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: 517-335-7801
Fax: 517-241-7042 or 517-335-4019
  • Kathonya Triplett  517-335-7801  TriplettK1@michigan.gov
  • Lynn Caudy-VanEpps  517-241-9779  Caudy-VanEppsL@michigan.gov
  • Please submit all prior authorization requests and medical subsidy billing statements (link billing statement form) to the following inbox:  MDHHS-MedicalSubsidyClaims@michigan.gov


    For an extension of adoption assistance, annual reports, general inquiries and submission of documentation please submit to the following inbox: MDHHS-CSA-AGAO-Ongoing-General@michigan.gov
  • Ongoing Unit Manager:

    Megan Webster           517-328-8891    WebsterM7@michigan.gov

     

    Ongoing Unit Manager:

    Chelsea Thelen            517-230-1504    ThelenC11@michigan.gov

  • The Eligibility Unit is responsible for eligibility and funding determinations for the adoption assistance, guardianship assistance, and medical subsidy programs.

    Eligibility Unit Manager:

    Erin Setla         517-328-8977              SetlaE@michigan.gov

  • Please submit all adoption and guardianship applications to MDHHS-AGAO-apps-and-openings@michigan.gov


    Carman Foster             517-335-6304                             FosterC3@michigan.gov
  • Lacey Smith   517-335-8687                SmithL97@michigan.gov 

    Adoption Agencies:

    All DHHS Apps

    Adoption and Foster Care Specialists, Inc. (Adoption Specialist)

    Child & Family Services of Northeastern Michigan (Alpena)

    Child & Family Services of Northwestern Michigan (Traverse City)

    Child & Family Services of the U.P.

    Children Center’s of Wayne County

    Judson Center

    Judson Child Safe

    Legacy Adoption Services

    Spectrum Child & Family

     

    Sara Maxa        517-241-1780                MaxaS@michigan.gov 

    Adoption Agencies:

    Adoption Option, Inc.

    Arbor Circle

    Catholic Charities of Genesee/Shiawassee

    Catholic Charities of Ingham/Eaton/Clinton (formerly St. Vencent)

    Catholic Charities of Jackson/Lenawee/Hillsdale

     Catholic Charities of SE MI

    Catholic Charities West MI

    Catholic Social Services of U.P.

    Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County

    Ennis Center

    Family and Community Services

    Growing Hope Through Love

    Holy Cross

    Methodist Children's Home

    Oakland Family Services

    Open Door Adoption Services

    Orchards Children's Services

    Youth Guidance Foster Care

     

    Lauren Kushion         517-241-1019                KushionL@michigan.gov 

    Adoption agencies:

    All Tribes

    Bethany Christian Services

    Child & Family Charities (Capital Area)

    D.A. Blodgett

    Eagle Village

    Family and Children's Services, Inc.

    Family Services & Child Aid of Jackson

    Forever Families

    Fostering Futures

    Fostering Solutions

    Guiding Harbor (Girlstown Foundation)

    Hands Across the Water

    Homes for Black Children

    New Light Child & Family Institute

    Sault Tribe of Binogii Placing Agency

    Spaulding for Children

    UP Kids

    Upper Peninsula Family Solutions

    Vista Maria

  • For rates that were negotiated less than the maximum daily rate determined prior to the Final Order of Adoption.

    Lacey Smith 517-335-8687                             SmithL97@michigan.gov

  • Please submit applications by mail, fax, or email mdhhs-agao-apps-and-openings@michigan.gov


    Lacey Smith    517-335-8687                             SmithL97@michigan.gov
  • Analyst in the AGAO Eligibility Unit are responsible for eligibility and funding determinations for the guardianship assistance and medical subsidy programs.

    Sarah Hawes                517-241-1323               HawesS@michigan.gov

    Dawn Ray                      517-241-6570                RayD@michigan.gov
  • For rates that were negotiated less than the maximum daily rate determined prior to the order of juvenile guardianship.

    Alphabetical assignment by parent’s last name:

    Sarah Hawes                 A-J                        517-241-1323                HawesS@michigan.gov

    Dawn Ray                        K-Z                       517-241-6570                RayD@michigan.gov  
  • Medical subsidy may be requested for physical, mental health, or emotional conditions which existed, or the cause of which existed, prior to the adoption or appointment of the juvenile guardianship.

    To access the DHS-1341-A Parent Application For Adoption Medical Subsidy For An Adopted Child click here.

    Alphabetical assignment by parent’s last name:

    Sarah Hawes                 A-J         517-241-1323                HawesS@michigan.gov

    Dawn Ray                        K-Z        517-241-6570              RayD@michigan.gov 

  • Please submit all NRE claims to MDHHS-AGAO-NREmailbox@michigan.gov

    Courtney Russman       517-335-6443                             RussmanC@michigan.gov

  • Adoption support subsidies may be extended to the maximum age of 21 for youth who began receiving adoption assistance or guardianship assistance at age 16 or older.

    Candice Durr                517-241-9760                              DurrC@michigan.gov

    Please submit a completed extension application and supporting documentation to MDHHS-CSA-AGAO-Ongoing-General@michigan.gov.


    Click here to view the Young Adult Adoption and Guardianship Extension Flyer. 
  • Please submit all income verification request to MDHHS-AGAO-PAYMENT-VERIFICATION@michigan.gov.  The request should include the parents name and home address, children’s names and date of births, and handwritten signature from one or both parents.


    Tyon Harris                     HarrisT5@michigan.gov
  • To request an address change complete this form click here and email it to: MDHHS-ICAMA@michigan.gov.

    Kim Kesanen                 A – LA                 517-241-9772                KesanenK@michigan.gov  

    Stephanie Warner       LB – Z                  517-335-3790               WarnersS6@michigan.gov
  • For assistance with prevention services and PARC, please contact:


    Areka Maki      517-243-6647                                  MakiA1@michigan.gov  
  • The Behavioral Support Analysts assists with prior authorizations for services that support children with severe behavioral health diagnosis.

    Felicia O'Connor         517-230-3798              OconnorF@michigan.gov

  • For assistance with a Central Adoption Registry inquiry or a request for information from closed adoption records please email: MDHHS-CNTRL-Adopt-Registry@michigan.gov.

    Amber Shaw                  517-335-6075              ShawA7@michigan.gov

  • For assistance with transferring adoption and guardianship assistance Medicaid to and from Michigan please email: MDHHS-ICAMA@michigan.gov.

    Kim Kesanen                 A – LA                 517-241-9772                             KesanenK@michigan.gov

    Stephanie Warner       LB – Z                  517-335-3790                                WarnersS6@michigan.gov

  • To submit closed adoption records for child welfare adoptions and adoption agencies that are closing please email: MDHHS-ClosedAdoptionRecords@michigan.gov.

    Closed Adoption Records Supervisor:

    Tanisha Outland          517-243-4912      OutlandT@michigan.gov

    • Roxanne Ellis                517-241-9760                                             EllisR10@michigan.gov
    • Kayla Fall                          517-335-7390                                                FallK2@michigan.gov
    • Theresa Recker              517-241-9757                                          ReckerT5@michigan.gov
    • Stephanie Sher               517-335-0916                                                SherS@michigan.gov