Preparing Adolescents for Adulthood - Transition Planning -

1. Preparing Adolescents for Adulthood- Transition Planning - Minnesota Guardian ad Litem Spring Training Institute March 30, 2012

2. Outcomes: Youth “Aging Out” of Care • Lack of support for education, housing, health care, employment • Problems establishing intimate relationships, more violence within relationships • Higher rates of being crime victims/engaged in crimes • More likely to have children outside of marriage • Unresolved grief and trauma

3. Outcomes: Youth “Aging Out” of Care • A study in Oregon/Washington found youth in foster care for 1 year, ages of 14-18, had higher rates of PTSD as adults than combat veterans • 25% met the diagnostic criteria as compared to 13% of Iraq war veterans, 15 % of Vietnam War veterans, and 4% in the general population. • Mental health issues at 2-4 times the general population

4. Preparing Adolescents for Adulthood • Recognizing it is a process and not a one-time event • Partnering with youth in collaborative, holistic, and individualized planning • Strengthening their present/future well-being with skills, permanency, connections and resources • Exploring our values and expectations when working with youth and how they impact planning for the youth

5. Minnesota Statutes 260C.212, subd. 7(d)(1) • The court reviews the Independent Living Skills plan. • The court establishes that the notice regarding Foster Care Benefits to Age 21 has been provided and the ability to appeal. • The court reviews progress towards or accomplishment of 11 transition goals. • The court ensures that the youth is provided with vital documents prior to leaving foster care.

6. Independent Living Plan • Minnesota Statutes 260C.212, subd. 1 (a) (8) • Required for youth age 16+ who is in placement as a result of a permanency disposition • Plan must address the following objectives: • educational, vocational, or employment planning • health care planning and medical coverage • transportation including, where appropriate, assisting the child in obtaining a driver's license • money management • planning for housing • social and recreational skills; and • establishing and maintaining connections with the child's family and community.

7. Casey Life Skills Assessment Should be completed by the youth and his/her caretaker as a starting point for creating a plan. The assessment for youth ages 16 to 18 has 118 questions and takes approx. 15 to 30 minutes. The assessment is scored automatically and the results will appear approx. one minute after completion of the assessment. http://www.caseylifeskills.org/ Supplements available for youth that are Native American, gay or lesbian, pregnant or parenting.

8. Foster Care Benefits to Age 21 Minnesota Statutes, Section 260C.451 Within the 6 months prior to the youth’s 18th birthday, the agency shall: • Advise youth in foster care, the youth’s parents, legal guardian and foster parents of the availability of foster care up to age 21 • Update the ILP upon request of the child and in consultation with the child and other appropriate parties

9. Foster Care Benefits to Age 21 Minnesota Statutes, Section 260C.451 continued • Eligibility = a child in foster care and meets at least one of the following conditions may remain in foster care: • 1) completing high school or a program leading to an equivalent credential • 2) enrolled in an institution which provides postsecondary or vocational education

10. Foster Care Benefits to Age 21 Minnesota Statutes, Section 260C.451 continued • 3) participating in a program to remove barriers to employment • 4) employed for at least 80 hours per month • 5) incapable of doing any of the above activities due to a medical condition.

11. Foster Care Benefits to Age 21 Minnesota Statutes, Section 260C.451 continued • For youth between the ages of 18 to 21 payment includes foster care “maintenance” which is room and board and DOC (difficulty of care) • Foster care settings may include an “independent living setting” such as a dormitory or apartment • Settings are based on a “best interest” standard consistent with 260C.212, Subdivision 4a

12. Foster Care Benefits to Age 21 Minnesota Statutes, Section 260C.451 continued • Supervision of the youth by the agency is tied to a determination of the youth’s needs and consistent with 260C.212, 4a (Monthly face to face visits by a caseworker) • Youth remain under the jurisdiction of the court for extended foster care only and are an “adult” for all other purposes

13. Impact of policy to date • Extended care provisions became law in Minnesota on August 1, 2010 • Minnesota has experienced a 39% increase (505 vs. 702) in the number of youth age 18 and older in foster care from May 31, 2010 to May 31, 2011.

14. Advantages to Youth who Stay in Care (Midwest Study) • 2x more likely to attend college • Each additional year that a youth remains in foster care past their 18th birthday is associated with increased earnings of about 17% • Youth who remain in foster care beyond age 18 experience a 38% reduction in the risk of teen pregnancy

15. Judicial Findings at Annual Review Hearings • The court is required to review the progress towards, or accomplishment of eleven transition goals

16. Transition Goals • The child has obtained a HS diploma or its equivalent; • The child has completed a driver’s education course or has demonstrated the ability to use public transportation; • The child is employed or enrolled in postsecondary education; • The child has applied for and obtained postsecondary education financial aid for which the child is eligible;

17. Transition Goals continued • The child has saved sufficient funds to pay for the first month’s rent and damage deposit; • The child has an alternative affordable housing plan, which does not include a homeless shelter; if the original housing plan is unworkable; • The child, if male, has registered for Selective Service; and • The child has a permanent connection to a caring adult.

18. Transition Goals continued • The child has health care coverage and health care providers to meet the child’s physical and mental health needs; • The child has applied for and obtained disability income assistance for which the child is eligible; • The child has obtained affordable housing with necessary supports, which do not include a homeless shelter.

19. Vital Documents • The agency in conjunction with the placement provider assist the child in obtaining the following documents prior to leaving foster care: • Social Security card; • Birth certificate; • State ID or drivers license; • Green card or school visa; • School, medical and dental records;

20. Vital Documents continued • Contact list of the child’s medical, dental, and mental health providers; • Contact information for the child’s siblings, if the siblings are in foster care; • A copy of the youth’s social and medical history; • An education report.

21. 90 day discharge plan2009 Legislation • When the child is 17 or older, 90-days prior to the date the child is expected to be discharged from foster care the agency is required to provide the child with assistance and support in developing a transition plan that is personalized at the direction of the child.

22. 90 day discharge plancontinued • In 2010 the Health Care Directive was added to the elements of the 90 day discharge plan • Youth have the option to designate another individual to make health care treatment decisions on their behalf if they become unable and do not want a relative who would otherwise be authorized to make such decisions for them. • Minnesota Statutes, Section 260C.16 has a suggested form for this situation.

23. Return To Care Minnesota Statutes Section 260C.456 Foster Care Benefits Until Age 21

24. Return To Care continuedthe Who • Upon request of a person between 18 and 21 who: • Had been receiving foster care in the six consecutive months prior to turning 18th • Was discharged while on run after age 15

25. Return to Care continuedthe What • The local agency shall develop a specific plan related to the person’s vocational, educational, social, or maturational needs and; • To the extent funds are available, shall ensure that foster care, housing, or counseling benefits are tied to the plan.

26. Return to Care continuedState Wards • Youth who left foster care while under state guardianship as dependent or neglected (state wards) retain their ability to return to foster care for placement at any time between the ages of 18 and 21.

27. 2009 health care reforms for youth leaving foster care • Youth leaving a foster home or juvenile residential correctional facility at age 18 are exempt from the eligibility requirements of MinnesotaCare. • Youth residing in foster care or juvenile residential correctional facility at age 18 are exempt from ESI, four-month barriers and premiums upon termination or release.

28. 2009 health care reforms for youth leaving foster care continued • Effective date of MinnesotaCare coverage is the first day of the month following the date of termination from foster care or release from juvenile residential correctional facility. • Caveat – these reforms were approved by the federal government in July 2011. Changes to the “system” have not occurred and are being prioritized along with other 2011 health care reforms.

29. Resources

30. Education and Training Vouchers (ETV) • ETV are federal funds available to youth up to age 23 who are in foster care on or after their 16th birthday, and continue in foster care up to or beyond age 18. • This includes youth who were adopted and youth who experienced a TPLPC after age 16. • Must be under age 21 if applying for the first time. • Must be accepted into an accredited post-secondary program. • For more information and to get an application go to the DHS Website. Click on People We Serve, Children and Families, Services, Adolescent Services, Education/training vouchers

31. ETV continuedFree Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) • Youth can still answer ‘Yes’ to the question which asks if they were either a ward of the court OR receiving foster care at age 13 or thereafter. Answering ‘Yes’ to either of these questions will allow you to apply as an independent student and leave the parent section blank on the FAFSA.

32. Tuition Waiver • Youth who were state wards (under the guardianship of the commissioner of human services) may be eligible to have their tuition waived if they are under the age of 21 and are going to school at a Minnesota state college or University.

33. Best Practices Guide • Helping Youth Transition from Out of Home Care to Adulthood - Best Practices Guide • This resource rich guide has numerous links to relevant ILS information • Legal requirements (ILS plan) • ILS group sessions • Case plan samples by ILS domains • Suggestions for foster parent involvement in preparing youth for independence

34. Chafee (SELF) Programs • Federal funds designed to assist youth who “are likely to remain in foster care until age 18” and “former foster care recipients between 16 and 21 years of age.” • Per DHS policy, youth ages 14 and older who are in county/tribal approved out-of-home placement and are likely to remain in placement until age 18 or older. • Youth who are adjudicated delinquent and court ordered to a non-secure correctional facility are considered to be in out-of-home placement.

35. SELF continued • Indicators that a youth will remain in care until age 18 or older include: • Court order for long term foster care • Court order for extended juvenile jurisdiction • Transfer of legal custody to a relative or kin • Ward of the state • The professional opinion of the caseworker based on a unique case history, presenting problems, and individual case goals.

36. Healthy Transitions and Homeless Prevention ProgramsIn Care • State and federal (Chafee) funding for youth ages 16 to 21 in an agency approved out-of-home placement, including youth who have been adopted or have had their permanent legal and physical custody transferred to a relative.

37. Healthy Transitions and Homeless Prevention ProgramsOut of Care • Also to assist youth ages 16 to 21 who have experienced a county-approved placement of 30 days or longer after age 16 or; • Youth ages 16 to 21 that left care pursuant to being adopted or left care due to having their legal custody transferred to a relative.

38. Youth Corner • Youth interface for youth and youth providers on the MinnesotaHelp.info website (First Call For Help database) • Consumer decision tool which will assist the user to identify areas of need from eight transition domains (Housing, Health, Jobs and Training, Education, Finance, Legal, Transportation and Community Connections) • Users will get community resources, tips, web links and documents for each identified need area.

39. Contact Information Steve Vonderharr Child Safety and Permanency Minnesota Department of Human Services PO Box 64943 St. Paul, MN 55164-0943 651-431-4666 Steve.vonderharr@state.mn.us