2023 Tennessee Code › Title 37 - JUVENILES (§§ 37-1-NEW — 37-11-103) › Chapter 2 - PLACEMENT OF JUVENILES (§§ 37-2-101 — 37-2-605) › Part 6 - POST-CUSTODY SERVICES (§§ 37-2-601 — 37-2-605) › Section 37-2-604 - Preparing foster children for independent living - Extension of foster care services

(a)
In preparing a foster child for independent living prior to the child reaching eighteen (18) years of age, the department shall provide information on the resource centers established pursuant to this part to all children over sixteen (16) years of age in foster care. The information shall include the address of the nearest resource center and services available from the center. Each child shall be encouraged to maintain periodic contact with resource center personnel and to provide current and accurate residence and contact information to the resource center. Ninety (90) days before a child leaves state custody the department of children's services shall notify the child of all information, services, web sites and assistance available for post-custody.
(b)
The department is authorized to implement an extension of the foster care program to provide services to youth transitioning from state custody to adulthood. The purpose of the extension is to support young adults aging out of state custody and preparing for their futures by making available additional educational and employment opportunities, ongoing support, and consistent and safe housing. The commissioner must establish policies and procedures to implement the extension and services described by this section. The department may seek federal funding and participate in federal programs developed for this purpose.
(c)
The extension of foster care services may be provided on a voluntary basis to a young adult who is at least eighteen (18) years of age but less than twenty-one (21) years of age, who was in the custody of the department at the time of the young adult's eighteenth birthday, and who is:
(1)
Completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;
(2)
Enrolled in an institution that provides post-secondary or career or technical education;
(3)
Participating in a program or activity designed to promote employment or remove barriers to employment;
(4)
Employed for at least eighty (80) hours per month; or
(5)
Incapable of doing any of the activities in subdivisions (c)(1)-(4) due to a medical condition, including a developmental or intellectual condition, which inability is supported by regularly updated information in the young adult's permanency plan. In such a case, the young adult must be in compliance with a course of treatment as recommended by the department.
(d)
The extension of foster care services may be provided to a young adult who meets the requirements of subsection (c) but refused those services at the time of the young adult's eighteenth birthday if the young adult seeks those services prior to the young adult's twenty-first birthday.
(e)
The minimum responsibilities of a young adult enrolled in extension of foster care services under this section are:
(1)
Sign a rights and responsibilities agreement prepared by the department;
(2)
Work with the department to create, update, and implement a transition plan;
(3)
Meet monthly with the case manager to track the progress of the transition plan; and
(4)
Attend a court hearing or administrative review every six (6) months.
(f)
The extension of foster care services provided by the department under this section may include, but are not limited to:
(1)
Education and training vouchers for post-secondary education;
(2)
Placement support in an approved placement or an independent living allowance;
(3)
Independent living wrap services;
(4)
Access to life skills classes and leadership opportunities; and
(5)
Support of a child and family team, case manager, and court representatives.
(g)
Living arrangements available to a young adult enrolled in the extension of foster care services under this section may include, but are not limited to:
(1)
A dormitory;
(2)
A licensed or approved foster home;
(3)
Supervised independent living, such as an approved apartment with or without a roommate, or an approved room-and-board living arrangement, in which a young adult may be able to directly receive an independent living allowance;
(4)
The home of an approved relative or non-related supportive adult; and
(5)
Licensed group home settings.
(h)
The advisory committee established in §
37-2-601
must serve as an advisory committee for the programs and services authorized by this section.
Amended by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 785, s 3, eff. 1/1/2023.
Acts 2009 , ch. 415, § 1.