65C-41.004. Case Planning and Management Reviews

(1) Transition and Case Plans. Each young adult in extended foster care must have both a transition plan and a case plan developed. Designation staff shall work with the young adult on the development and updates to each plan.

(a) Transition Plan. The provisions of the transition plan form the basis of the young adult’s case plan and delineate the young adult’s short-term and long-term goals, the young adult’s obligations, and the obligations of the foster parent, caregiver or group home, the designated staff, and any other service provider.

1. The transition plan shall be coordinated with the case plan; however, a change in the transition plan does not require an amendment to the case plan or a return to court unless the change in the transition plan conflicts with a provision of the case plan.

2. All young adults with diagnosed disabilities or mental health needs shall be provided with an equal opportunity to participate in transition planning. A young adult with a diagnosed disability or mental health need may need additional support; therefore, the designated staff shall work in consultation with the young adult and the young adult’s service providers, guardian ad litem, and attorney, if applicable.

(b) Case Plan. The young adult must have a case plan while in extended foster care.

1. The case plan must include:

a. A description of the qualifying activity or activities in which the young adult will engage to maintain eligibility for remaining in extended foster care. If the young adult has chosen an alternate or secondary qualifying activity, it shall be included in the case plan,

b. A description of the programs and services identified, in consultation with the young adult, to assist the young adult to successfully participate in the chosen qualifying activities, and a designation of who is responsible for providing these programs and services, and who is responsible for paying the costs of such programs and services,

c. A description of the young adult’s long-term goals for living independently and the services to be provided to assist the young adult in meeting those goals; and,

d. A designation of the permanency goal of transition from care to independent living.

2. The young adult’s case plan shall be initiated within 30 days of the young adult’s 18th birthday or approval of entry into extended foster care, and shall include the young adult’s long-term goals.

3. The case plan shall be reviewed with the young adult prior to each judicial review hearing, and shall be updated as necessary.

(2) Provision of Services. The community-based care lead agency must ensure that the young adult is provided necessary services. Necessary services include:

(a) Those services that are identified in the young adult’s case plan.

(b) Supervision of the young adult at a level that is consistent with the young adult’s individual educational, developmental and health care needs, permanency plan and independent living goals as assessed with input from the young adult.

(c) Life skills instruction, counseling, educational support, employment preparation and placement, and development of support networks that are consistent with the young adult’s assessed needs and interests, and with the goals identified by the young adult in the transition plan and case plan.

(d) Face-to-face contact with the young adult shall occur every 30 days in the home, pursuant to paragraphs 65C-30.007(1)(a)-(c), F.A.C.

1. During the visit designated staff must assess for safety and discuss the young adult’s transition and continue to assess life skill development.

2. If applicable, designated staff shall update the Supervised Living Arrangement Assessment and Shared Living Plan.

(e) Any additional services that are necessary to assist the young adult in eliminating barriers to participation in extended foster care.

(3) Procedures for a Young Adult Wishing to Remain in Extended Foster Care until the 22nd birthday. A young adult must be actively participating in extended foster care on his or her 21st birthday, and have a documented disability, in order to remain in care until his or her 22nd birthday.

(a) The designated staff for a young adult who has a documented disability shall discuss with the young adult and any designated decision-making authority for the young adult, within 180 days of the young adult’s 20th birthday, whether the young adult wishes to remain in extended foster care after his or her 21st birthday. This discussion shall occur during the transition planning for possible discharge based on reaching the maximum age for participation.

(b) If the young adult who has a documented disability requests discharge from, or otherwise opts out of continuing in extended foster care beyond the 21st birthday, the designated staff shall provide the form “My Decision to Leave Extended Foster Care,” CF-FSP 5375, January 2015, incorporated by reference and available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-05784, and specify that the young adult has requested discharge from the program on the 21st birthday.

(4) Portability. The services provided under this rule are portable across county lines, between lead agencies, and across state lines if the other state is willing to provide assistance.

(a) The service needs that are identified from the transition plan, the Supervised Living Arrangement Assessment, Shared Living Agreement, and Extended Foster Care Agreement or Extended Foster Care Voluntary Placement Agreement shall be provided by the community-based care lead agency where the young adult is currently residing, but shall be funded by the community-based care lead agency that initiated the transition plan.

(b) If the young adult who has a documented disability requests discharge from, or otherwise opts out of continuing in extended foster care beyond the 21st birthday, the designated staff shall provide the form “My Decision to Leave Extended Foster Care,” CF-FSP 5375, incorporated in paragraph (3)(b) of this rule, and specify that the young adult has requested discharge from the program on the 21st birthday.

Rulemaking Authority 39.012, 39.0121 FS. Laws Implemented 39.6035, 39.6251, 39.701(4)(a) FS. History–New 11-2-15, Amended 1-7-19.