Mississippi Administrative Code › Title 18 - HUMAN SERVICES › Part 6 - Division of Family and Children's Services › Chapter 1 - DFCS Policy Manual › Section 18-6-1-D - Foster Care Policy › Section 18-6-1-D-IX - INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES

Current through June 25, 2024
Mission Statement
To provide youth and young adults in care with an
					 array of services and resources to prepare them for the transition from foster
					 care to successful adulthood.
The Independent Living Program (ILP) assists adolescents
					 in acquiring basic life skills in their progress toward self-sufficiency. Youth
					 are eligible for Independent Living Services based on the following criteria:
1. Youth in DFCS custody age fourteen
				  (14) through twenty-one (21) are eligible to receive Independent living
				  services and participate in Independent living activities.
2. Youth who leave DFCS custody at age 18
				  through 21 are eligible for Aftercare services until the age of 21; and
3. Youth who leave custody after
				  the age of 21, but who are enrolled in post-secondary educational and
				  vocational programs may be eligible based on the criteria detailed in the
Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Program
(See Section D
				  Education Voucher (ETV) Program).
Some services are provided through a contractual agreement
					 to include: life skills training; Teen Advisory Board training/meeting,
					 facilitation, youth conferences, after care services and other services as
					 appropriate.
Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indian youth are eligible for
					 Independent Living Services based on the same criteria for DFCS youth in care.
MDHS/DFCS Independent Living staff and contact staff shall
					 communicate scheduled Independent Living activities and events to the
					 Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians' Independent Living Program Coordinator.
					 Changes to policy and services shall be communicated to invite the Mississippi
					 Band of Choctaw Indians participation in MDHS/DFCS Independent Living Program
					 and Services.
A.
Worker's
				  Responsibility in Providing Independent Living Services
The Worker will have the following responsibilities in
					 providing Independent Living Services:
* Shall refer youth age fourteen (14) to Independent
					 Living (IL) contract provider to participate in IL services and activities. IL
					 services provided by the contractor shall be provided in the County of Service
					 (COS) and/or County of Responsibility (COR).
* The COR and/or COS worker shall transport, coordinate
					 transportation and or develop a transportation plan for youth to and from
					 scheduled IL module trainings, Teen Advisory Board Meetings (TAB), retreats,
					 conferences and other IL related activities.
* The transportation plan must include who will transport
					 the youth to all of the Independent Living activities. (Note: the transporter
					 may be a Family Protection Worker/Specialist, ASWS, Resource Parent, Group Home
					 Staff, Homemaker, Volunteer/Mentor, Case Aide, Independent Living Specialist,
					 or any designated staff)
* Shall provide each youth transitioning to independence
					 with at least 6 months advance notice of the cessation of any health,
					 financial, or other benefits that will occur at the time of transition.
* Each foster youth 14-20 years old, regardless of his/her
					 permanency plan, shall be provided with an opportunity to participate in the
					 creation of an Independent Living service plan for Independent Living
					 preparation. DFCS shall provide each eligible youth with Independent Living
					 services as set forth in his/her service plan.
DFCS shall ensure that each youth transitioning to
					 independence has available the following:
* A source of income;
* Health care;
* Independent living stipends;
* Education and training vouchers;
* Resource guide necessary to assist youth in locating and
					 enrolling in educational or vocational programs appropriate to their needs,
					 interests, abilities and goals i.e.; high school or GED programs, colleges or
					 universities, vocational training programs and special education services.
Supply the youth with a list of community resources
					 suitable to meet the youth's future needs.
Ensure that services are provided for the youth to make
					 the transition from foster care to living independently.
Let the youth know that he/she can contact the Worker when
					 needed.
Make sure the youth receives start-up stipend, and any
					 other resources available through DFCS.
Document the preparation being made with the youth to help
					 the transition from care to living independently.
DFCS shall assist youth in obtaining or compiling the
					 following documents and such efforts shall be documented in the child's case
					 record:
* An identification card;
* A social security or social insurance number;
* A resume, when work experience can be described;
* A driver's license, when the ability to drive is a goal;
* An original copy of the youth's birth certificate;
* Religious documents and information;
* Documentation of immigration, citizenship, or
					 naturalization, when applicable;
* Documentation of tribal eligibility or membership;
* Death certificates when parents are deceased;
* A life book or a compilation of personal history and
					 photographs, as appropriate;
* A list of known relatives, with relationships,
					 addresses, telephone numbers, and permissions for contacting involved parties;
* Previous placement information; and
* Educational records, such as high school diploma or
					 general equivalency diploma, and a list of schools attended, when
					 age-appropriate.
1.
Roles and
				  Responsibilities of the Worker
1.
				  Ninety (90) calendar days prior to the youth's 14 th
				  birthday or within thirty (30) calendar days of entering custody, the COR
				  Worker shall complete the Independent Living assessment and review the "Foster
				  Care Handbook for Youth in Care".
2. At the first FTM after the youth reaches
				  age 14, an Independent Living Plan shall be developed
,
and
				  updated every ninety (90) days thereafter.
a.
				  The COR ASWS, COR/COS Worker, Independent Living Specialist, Resource Parents,
				  and Birth Parents/Guardians shall meet to review the Independent Living
				  Assessment and develop an Independent Living Plan.
b. The Independent Living Plan must include a
				  description of all programs and services that will help the youth prepare for
				  transition from foster care to Independent Living (IL).
c. Each Independent Living Plan
must
be completed in MACWIS. The IL Contractor must use the same
				  plan used by MDHS.
d. When the
				  youth reaches his/her 14 th birthday, the child's
				  FSP
must
include a documented Transitional Living Plan (TLP).
3. The COR and COS
				  Workers must inform the youth of all Independent Living activities and arrange
				  for participation, including transportation. The transportation plan must
				  include who will transport the youth to all of the Independent Living
				  activities. (Note: the transporter may be a Family Protection
				  Worker/Specialist, ASWS, Resource Parent, Group Home Staff, Homemaker,
				  Volunteer/Mentor, Case Aide, Independent Living Specialist, or any designated
				  staff)
4. The COR Worker shall
				  provide recommendations to the Youth Court Judge, during Review Hearings, that
				  identify specific services being provided and services needed to help the youth
				  transition from foster care to living independently.
5. The COR Worker
must
input the
				  data (life skills modules) sent from the Independent Living Specialist into
				  MACWIS. The data may also include the Worker's assessment of the youth's
				  understanding and ability to apply life skills.
6. The COR Worker is responsible for carrying
				  out the plan that is established in the youth's FSP.