Ferdinand v. Department for Children and Their Families

Ferdinand (plaintiff) adopted her daughter through Rhode Island's Department for Children and Their Families (defendant), which had only a minimal conversation with her about available special-needs adoption subsidies; she said she didn't need one at the time, and DCF never formally offered a subsidy or explained the full program, including the option to sign a nominal agreement preserving eligibility for a larger subsidy later. After the adoption finalized and Ferdinand's marriage ended, leaving her without child support, she applied for adoption assistance, but DCF denied it because she had not accepted a subsidy at finalization. Ferdinand sought an injunction ordering DCF to approve her request.