Code of Maine Rules
10 - DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
148 - OFFICE OF CHILD AND FAMILY SERVICES
Chapter 577 - ALUMNI TRANSITION GRANT PROGRAM (ATGP)
Section 148-577-II - Definitions

1. Alumni. A young person who turned 18 while in Maine's foster care system and was on Maine DHHS's Voluntary Extended Care and Support (V9) Agreement that ended at age 21.

2. ATGP Navigator. A person employed by a community-based organization or DHHS to support the ATGP recipients by providing information about on- and off- campus services, brokering resources, providing coordination and advocacy, and meeting with ATGP students to assist in their successful completion of postsecondary education, degree, or apprenticeship attainment.

3. DHHS. The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS or the Department), Office of Child and Family Services (OCFS), with statutory authority to provide custodial and extended care support to eligible individuals.

4. Financial Support. Funding provided by DHHS to the ATGP recipient is to be applied toward postsecondary education and living expenses equivalent to the level of financial support provided to students through the Voluntary Extended Care and Support (V9) Agreement.

5. Student. An alumni at least 21 years of age, but less than 27 years of age who exited the Voluntary Extended Care and Support (V9) Agreement and is enrolled in postsecondary education.

6. Postsecondary Education. A program of study that takes place at any college or university that leads to an associate's degree or bachelor's degree or a postsecondary training program designed to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation. This does not include a course of study, outside of a postsecondary institution, through Adult Education, informal internship, or informal apprenticeship.

7. Postsecondary Educational Institution. An educational institution in or out of state that is recognized by Maine's Department of Education as an institute of postsecondary education or a formal training program designed to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation and that provides a credential generally accepted by employers.

8. Undergraduate degree. A two-year Associate's degree or a four-year Bachelor's degree. Does not include a postgraduate (i.e. Master's) degree.

9. Voluntary Extended Care and Support Agreement. Also known as the V9 Agreement. A voluntary agreement between a young adult, aged 18 to 21 years, who was in Maine DHHS's foster care on his or her18th birthday, for the purpose of providing financial and other supports from DHHS to the young adult until his or her 21st birthday.