6339.1 The decision to admit a young adult to an independent living program shall be made jointly between the contracting entity, the independent living program, and the young adult.
6339.2 To be eligible for admission to an independent living program, a foster youth shall:
(a) Be at least twenty (20) years of age;(b) Have graduated from high school, received a GED, or obtained vocational certification;(c) Be attending college or a vocational program as a full-time student, or employed at least twenty (20) hours per week for the last three (3) consecutive months;(d) Have no pending criminal charges or investigations; and(e) Have a checking account with a minimum balance of one hundred dollars ($100) and a savings account with consistent deposits over a three (3) month period.6339.3 A foster youth shall submit an application package that includes but is not limited to:
(a) A completed application, using a form provided or approved by CFSA; and(b) A written recommendation from the foster youth's current placement. The recommendation shall address whether the foster youth has demonstrated a sufficient level of maturity, self-sufficiency and life skills to live independently.6339.4 No foster youth may be admitted to an independent living program without the prior written approval of the Director of CFSA or designee.
6339.5 The Director of CFSA or designee may waive any of the admission requirements for a foster youth for good cause.
6339.6 To be admitted to an independent living program, a young adult other than a foster youth shall be:
(a) At least eighteen (18) years of age;(b) Either: (1) Employed at least part-time;(2) Within 18 months of attaining a high school diploma;(3) Attending a GED program;(4) Actively engaged in a vocational program; or(5) Attending college; and(c) Have demonstrated sufficient maturity to enable the young adult to live independently.6339.7 Prior to admission, the contracting entity shall determine and document in writing that the services, activities, and programs provided by the independent living program adequately can meet the needs of the young adult, and that the independent living program is the least restrictive, most home- like environment for the young adult that is clinically appropriate. In making its determination, the contracting entity shall consider:
(a) Whether the young adult's level of life skills, knowledge and training are appropriate for the independent living program;(b) Whether the services and environment provided by the independent living program are appropriate for the young adult's needs;(c) Whether the location of the main facility and residences are convenient for the young adult's education program and other services;(d) The ages and level of development of residents currently in the independent living program relative to the young adult's age and level of development;(e) The mental, physical, or emotional condition of the residents currently in the independent living program relative to that of the young adult; and(f) The young adult's health needs relative to the capabilities of the independent living program to meet such needs.6339.8 Prior to accepting a young adult into an independent living program, the program shall provide the resident with:
(a) A tour of the main facility;(b) If the young adult would reside in the main facility, a tour of the particular residence in which he or she would reside, or, if the young adult would not reside in the main facility, a tour of a residence similar in location and layout to the one in which he or she would reside;(c) An introduction to and the opportunity to speak with staff and residents;(d) An explanation of the independent living program's plans, policies and procedures listed in § 6307.2(l).6339.9 An independent living program shall provide staff with information to facilitate the resident's placement, including but not limited to the reason for placement, the resident's medical condition and any medications, allergies, behavioral issues, and necessary instructions related to the resident's individual needs.
6339.10 To the greatest extent practicable, the resident's arrival at the independent living program shall be timed so as to cause the least distress to the resident and the least disruption to the staff and other residents.
6339.11 An independent living program shall maintain an admissions log that includes the name and date of birth of each resident, the date of admission, and the date of discharge or transfer.
6339.12 Within twenty- four (24) hours of a resident's admission, an independent living program shall identify all emergency medical and mental health needs, allergies, basic needs, and non-emergency medical and mental health conditions and physical infirmities, including all visible signs of illness or injury, and document this information in the resident's case record, along with documentation of a preadmission medical screen.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 29, r. 29-6339
Final Rulemaking published at 49 DCR 1591 (February 22, 2002); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 66 DCR 001059 (1/25/2019)