La. Admin. Code tit. 67 § V-3901

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 11, November 20, 2024

Section V-3901 - Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

A. The Department of Children and Family Services, Child Welfare Division will provide a Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) to assist youth in making preparations for living independently, including, but not limited to resume writing, budgeting, banking and other financial skills, and conflict management skills. The CFCIP provides opportunities for youth to interact with other youth from similar backgrounds, and to receive supportive services until 26 years of age, with the exception of educational assistance via the Chafee educational and training voucher (ETV), which is available until 23 years of age.

B. The DCFS will provide CFCIP services based upon the availability of funds, up to the maximum allowable amount funded by the federal Chafee Act, in compliance with the requirements of the program, and the varying identified needs of each youth.

C. Eligibility for the CFCIP is limited to youth who meet the requirements of the program and is based on the availability of federal funding. Participants should be either: DCFS foster youth from 14 years of age to age 18; foster youth who aged out of foster care from 18 to 26 years old; foster youth who were adopted from foster care after 16 years of age to 26 years of age; Office of Juvenile Justice youth from 14 years of age to 26 years of age; youth in a court ordered guardianship from foster care initiated after 16 years of age to 26 years of age; and/or Native American youth from 13 years of age to 26 years of age who were in state or tribal custody. Youth in a secure placement (detention, jail, etc.) are not eligible for services provided by Chafee funds.

D. The allowable services and activities must be purposefully planned by the foster care worker and the youth to meet specific needs that have been identified and addressed in the youths transitional living plan. The allowable services may include:

1. training delivered by Chafee independent living providers contracted with DCFS to prepare youth for living independently;

2. an assessment of independent living skills to identify which skills are needed and a written individualized transitional living plan, based on the assessment;

3. a monetary payment/stipend upon completing the CFCIP coursework and questionnaire, if resources allow;

4. assistance with obtaining an independent living arrangement and/or housing;

5. case management services; and

6. assistance with educational expenses, which could include educational and training voucher services, with need being determined by contracted providers.

La. Admin. Code tit. 67, § V-3901

Promulgated by the Department of Social Services, Office of Community Services, LR 35:2205 (October 2009), Amended by the Department of Children and Family Services, Child Welfare Division, LR 44908 (5/1/2018), effective 6/1/2018.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with 42 USC 677 et seq.