Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-51-.04

Current through Register Vol. 43, No. 1, October 31, 2024

Section 660-5-51-.04 - Transitional And Independent Living Placements Provided By County DHR Approved Foster Family Homes

(1) Youth who are in DHR custody and residing in a foster family home may be given the opportunity to live in a dwelling, separate from the foster family home, that is specifically designated as a transitional or an independent living placement when the youth's individualized service planning team agrees that the need exists. The dwelling must be assessed and approved by the County DHR as being in compliance with the Minimum Standards for Foster Family Homes.

(a) Youth must submit a weekly budget to the foster family home provider and their DHR social worker prior to moving into the placement, and this budget must fall within a youth's monthly income.

(2) Physical Setting and Placement

(a) Transitional and independent living dwellings may include, but are not limited to, a mobile home, garage apartment, or other type dwelling. Youth may share housing with one (1) other person of the same (or near the same) age and of the same sex. The foster family provider and the individualized service planning team may grant an exception to this requirement to allow siblings to share housing. The exception is dependent upon each youth's ISP and the availability of space for the additional sibling(s). Regardless of how many youth live in the dwelling, each must have a separate bedroom.

(b) Youth will be under the direct supervision of the foster parent and the dwelling must be located adjacent to or in close proximity to a foster parent's home for a youth's activities to be monitored. The individualized service planning team will determine the amount of monitoring and supervision the youth receives.

(c) The foster family home provider shall provide articles and supplies for youth to furnish the home. The articles and supplies may be new or used, must be in good condition, and must include a bed and bed linens; a dining table and chairs; living or sitting room furniture; a stove and refrigerator; kitchen furnishings; and a telephone.

1. The foster family home provider shall adhere to DHR's Telephone And Mail Contacts policy. The telephone may be limited to local calling if a "calling plan" or "calling card" is provided for youth to contact parents, relatives, siblings, and other pertinent individuals who live outside the local calling area. Youth may purchase their own telephone and telephone services, but are responsible for any expenses that are beyond the scope of Telephone and Mail Contacts policy.

2. Youth may purchase their own household furnishings if desired; however, the furnishings should be inventoried so that when youth move to another residence or leave foster care, their furnishings can be easily identified from those of the foster family home provider. Items purchased by youth will be moved with the youth.

Author: Jerome Webb

Ala. Admin. Code r. 660-5-51-.04

New Rule: Filed October 6, 2006; effective November 10, 2006.

Statutory Authority: Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (H.R. 3443) amended title IV, Part E, Social Security Act; Public Law 106-169; Code of Ala. 1975, § 38-7-2.