Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024
(1) Transition and Case Plans. Each young
adult in extended foster care must have both a transition plan and a case plan
developed. Designation staff shall work with the young adult on the development
and updates to each plan.
(a) Transition
Plan. The provisions of the transition plan form the basis of the young adult's
case plan and delineate the young adult's short-term and long-term goals, the
young adult's obligations, and the obligations of the foster parent, caregiver
or group home, the designated staff, and any other service provider.
1. The transition plan shall be coordinated
with the case plan; however, a change in the transition plan does not require
an amendment to the case plan or a return to court unless the change in the
transition plan conflicts with a provision of the case plan.
2. All young adults with diagnosed
disabilities or mental health needs shall be provided with an equal opportunity
to participate in transition planning. A young adult with a diagnosed
disability or mental health need may need additional support; therefore, the
designated staff shall work in consultation with the young adult and the young
adult's service providers, guardian ad litem, and attorney, if
applicable.
(b) Case
Plan. The young adult must have a case plan while in extended foster care.
1. The case plan must include:
a. A description of the qualifying activity
or activities in which the young adult will engage to maintain eligibility for
remaining in extended foster care. If the young adult has chosen an alternate
or secondary qualifying activity, it shall be included in the case plan,
b. A description of the programs
and services identified, in consultation with the young adult, to assist the
young adult to successfully participate in the chosen qualifying activities,
and a designation of who is responsible for providing these programs and
services, and who is responsible for paying the costs of such programs and
services,
c. A description of the
young adult's long-term goals for living independently and the services to be
provided to assist the young adult in meeting those goals; and,
d. A designation of the permanency goal of
transition from care to independent living.
2. The young adult's case plan shall be
initiated within 30 days of the young adult's 18th birthday or approval of
entry into extended foster care, and shall include the young adult's long-term
goals.
3. The case plan shall be
reviewed with the young adult prior to each judicial review hearing, and shall
be updated as necessary.
(2) Provision of Services. The
community-based care lead agency must ensure that the young adult is provided
necessary services. Necessary services include:
(a) Those services that are identified in the
young adult's case plan.
(b)
Supervision of the young adult at a level that is consistent with the young
adult's individual educational, developmental and health care needs, permanency
plan and independent living goals as assessed with input from the young
adult.
(c) Life skills instruction,
counseling, educational support, employment preparation and placement, and
development of support networks that are consistent with the young adult's
assessed needs and interests, and with the goals identified by the young adult
in the transition plan and case plan.
(d) Face-to-face contact with the young adult
shall occur every 30 days in the home, pursuant to paragraphs
65C-30.007(1)(a)
-(c), F.A.C.
1. During the visit designated
staff must assess for safety and discuss the young adult's transition and
continue to assess life skill development.
2. If applicable, designated staff shall
update the Supervised Living Arrangement Assessment and Shared Living
Plan.
(e) Any additional
services that are necessary to assist the young adult in eliminating barriers
to participation in extended foster care.
(3) Procedures for a Young Adult Wishing to
Remain in Extended Foster Care until the 22nd birthday. A young adult must be
actively participating in extended foster care on his or her 21st birthday, and
have a documented disability, in order to remain in care until his or her 22nd
birthday.
(a) The designated staff for a young
adult who has a documented disability shall discuss with the young adult and
any designated decision-making authority for the young adult, within 180 days
of the young adult's 20th birthday, whether the young adult wishes to remain in
extended foster care after his or her 21st birthday. This discussion shall
occur during the transition planning for possible discharge based on reaching
the maximum age for participation.
(b) If the young adult who has a documented
disability requests discharge from, or otherwise opts out of continuing in
extended foster care beyond the 21st birthday, the designated staff shall
provide the form "My Decision to Leave Extended Foster Care, " CF-FSP 5375,
January 2015, incorporated by reference and available at
http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05784,
and specify that the young adult has requested discharge from the program on
the 21st birthday.
(4)
Portability. The services provided under this rule are portable across county
lines, between lead agencies, and across state lines if the other state is
willing to provide assistance.
(a) The service
needs that are identified from the transition plan, the Supervised Living
Arrangement Assessment, Shared Living Agreement, and Extended Foster Care
Agreement or Extended Foster Care Voluntary Placement Agreement shall be
provided by the community-based care lead agency where the young adult is
currently residing, but shall be funded by the community-based care lead agency
that initiated the transition plan.
(b) If the young adult who has a documented
disability requests discharge from, or otherwise opts out of continuing in
extended foster care beyond the 21st birthday, the designated staff shall
provide the form "My Decision to Leave Extended Foster Care, " CF-FSP 5375,
incorporated in paragraph (3)(b) of this rule, and specify that the young adult
has requested discharge from the program on the 21st
birthday.
Rulemaking Authority
39.012,
39.0121 FS. Laws Implemented
39.6035,
39.6251,
39.701(4)(a)
FS.
New 11-2-15, Amended
1-7-19.