a) Purpose |
The purpose of this Appendix is to provide guidance to staff regarding effective planning for adolescent wards that will be transitioning from the child welfare system to self-sufficiency.
b) Population Served |
The Department or purchase of service (POS) provider agencies shall provide appropriate transition planning and services to adolescents 14 years of age or older for whom the Department is legally responsible.
c) Transition to Independence |
It is the Department's position that all youth in placement, regardless of permanency goal, will be provided developmental activities and support services designed to enhance and monitor their independent living skill development. Transition planning for adolescents for whom family reunification, subsidized guardianship, or adoption is not an option must be an ongoing process beginning with an assessment of the adolescent's needs and allowing for input from the youth, caregiver, teachers, counselors, youth's family, and caseworker. It must also ensure accountability on the part of the youth, the Department and other service providers; and include periodic reassessment of needs in light of services provided to ensure successful transition to independence. All adolescents are unique; however, they share the following common needs when preparing for adulthood.
1) Life Skills Assessment
The objective of the life skills assessment is to establish a base line for education, housing, employment, and health areas to be addressed in individualized transition plans. The Department has chosen the Daniel Memorial Institute, Independent Living Assessment For Life Skills short form (90 questions) interview format for this purpose. Caseworkers shall administer the assessment to youth on their caseload no later than 30 days after the youth's 14th and 16th birthdays, and 60 days prior to the youth's planned discharge from guardianship. Those youth entering the child welfare system after their 14th birthday will be administered the life skill assessment no later than 60 days after their entry into substitute care.
For those wards that are either Spanish-speaking or who express a preference to complete the assessment in the Spanish language, the assessment shall be completed in Spanish, and all written documentation accompanying services must be in the Spanish language in accordance with the Burgos Consent Decree. Good social work practice dictates that caseworkers must assess the linguistic needs of all clients and help them obtain services and educational opportunities in their native language.
Copies of the Independent Living Assessment For Life Skills by Daniel Memorial, Inc., instructions and strategies tool can be obtained from regional LAN Liaisons or appropriate Division of Education and Transition Services (DETS), Transition Manager:
Cook Transition Manager Downstate Transition Manager
100 W. Randolph, 6th Floor 406 E. Monroe, Station #222
Chicago, Illinois 60601 Springfield, Illinois 62701
312/814-5959 217/524-2030
NOTE: Assessment tools for other children and youth may not be appropriate for youth with developmental disabilities. The child welfare worker should consult with staff of the Department's Clinical Division to determine assessment needs. At minimum, assessment must be specifically designed to assess the functioning of the developmentally disabled adolescent and determine the youth's cognitive function, social adaptive function, and capacity for independent living.
For youth that are pregnant or parenting, the Skill Training and Education for Pregnancy and Parenting Prevention assessment should be utilized as required by the Pregnant and Parenting Teen program plan.
2) Life Skills Training
Critical to the achievement of economic and social self-sufficiency is the acquisition of daily living skills. The caseworker will develop transition plan objectives, tasks, and resources in consultation with the youth, caregiver and involved providers using the youth's assessment as a guide. The youth's placement is the most appropriate environment in which to learn and practice these skills. However, there are community-based life skill development programs available for those youth who require a structured learning environment. These programs utilize practical experiences to reinforce learned theory of money management, consumer awareness, food management, personal appearance, health, housekeeping, transportation, educational planning, job-seeking skills, emergency and safety skills, knowledge of community resources, interpersonal skills, and housing. Classes meet for approximately 12 sessions at various locations and times.
Youth cannot be enrolled in a life skills class without a caseworker's referral to the appropriate DETS Transition Manager:
Cook Transition Manager Downstate Transition Manager
100 W. Randolph, 6th Floor 406 E. Monroe, Station #222
Chicago, Illinois 60601 Springfield, Illinois 62701
312/814-5959 217/524-2030
3) Vocational and Career Planning
The purpose of vocational and career planning is to ensure that Department youth are prepared for post-secondary school employment or continuing education. By the adolescent's freshman year in high school, formalized planning, high school credits, and relevant experiences should be considered annually and included in the youth's educational and transition plans. For youth eligible for special education or receiving special education services, planning post-secondary education or employment must start at age 14 ½ and be a part of the transition plan. The transition plan at this age drives the education plan process (Procedures 314.50, Educational Services).
Adolescents planning for post-secondary education should obtain information and assistance concerning colleges or trade schools, campus visitation, ACT or SAT registration and preparation, financial aid, and scholarships from their school counselor. The youth's caseworker should provide the youth with information regarding payment of educational expenses and Department scholarships. This information can be found in Procedures 359.60, Payments for Independent Living Arrangements, and 359.75, Educational Expenses.
Department staff can obtain technical assistance for education issues from the following regional DETS/DCFS Education Advisors. Purchase of service staff should utilize their agency Education Liaison.
DCFS Education Advisors |
Cook North
Advisor Nancy Hablutzel (312/328-2477)
Assistant Advisor Deseree Edwards (312/328-2673)
Office Address DCFS, 1911 South Indiana, Chicago, IL 60616
Fax 312/328-2561 or 2547Cook North - Suburbs
Advisor Diane Fitzhugh
Office Addresses DCFS, 8100 South McCormick Boulevard
Skokie, IL 60076
847/745-3008
Cook Central
Advisor Christine Feldman (773/292-7732)
Assistant Advisor Leticia Nunez (773/292-7731)
Office Address DCFS, 3518 West Division, Chicago, IL 60651
Fax 773/292-7712
Cook Central - Suburbs
Advisor Charles Ingram (773/854-2336)
Assistant Advisor Leticia Nunez (773/854-2208)
Office Address DCFS, 4909 W. Division, 6th Floor
Chicago, IL 60651
Fax 773/854-0655
Cook South
Advisor Marguerite Chapman (773/371-6029)
Assistant Advisor Richard Baker (773/371-6025)
Office Address DCFS, 6201 South Emerald, Chicago, IL 60621
Fax 773/371-6067
Cook South - Suburbs
Advisor Yasmina Sefiane-Johnson (708/210-3051)
Assistant Advisor Richard Baker (708/210-2817)
Office Address DCFS, 7600 W. 183rd, Tinley Park, IL 60477
Fax 708/633-5371
Northern Region
Advisor Rhonda Best (815/967-3750)
Assistant Advisor Mark Tingler (815/967-3832)
Office Address DCFS, 107 N. Third Street, Rockford, IL 61107
Fax 815/967-3737
Northern Region - Lake County
Advisor Vacant
Assistant Advisor Mitch Kremer (815/967-3832)
Office Addresses DCFS, 500 N. Green Bay Road
Waukegan, IL 60085
Fax 847/249-7840
Central Region - Peoria & Champaign Subregions
Advisor Vernessa Gipson (888/917-2402)
Advisor Lillian Ortiz-Self (888/917-2405)
Assistant Advisor Kristal Shelvin (888/917-2403)
Office Address ISBE/ITAN, 206 N. Randolph, Lower Level
Suite 6, Champaign, IL 61820
Advisor Mary Chepulis
Assistant Advisor Kristal Shelvin
Office Address DCFS, 521 S. Eleventh Street
Springfield, IL 62703
217/557-0075
Fax 217/782-0144
Advisor Bessie Peabody
Assistant Advisor Scott Pickens
Office Address DCFS, 10 Collinsville Avenue
East ST. Louis, IL 62201
618/583-2141
Fax 618/398-5931
Southern Region - Marion Subregion
Advisor Kendra Homoya
Assistant Advisor Vacant
Office Address DCFS, 1210 Hanson Street
Murphysboro, IL 62966
618/687-1733
Fax 618/687-4584
4) Health Care
Medical services are available through the Department of Human Services Medical Assistance Program via the Medicaid card for Department wards (Procedures 359.100, Authorized Child Care Payments). The Department will provide continued medical coverage for youth determined Medicaid ineligible when the youth is a Department ward.
5) Counseling
Counseling may be provided to assist the adolescent with problem resolution or to identify and obtain other community services. This service can be accessed directly by Department staff or POS referral or through purchase (Procedures 302.320, Services Delivered by the Department; 359.52, Authorized Child Care Payments).
6) Housing
Transition planning must address affordable and appropriate housing options for the adolescent. The Department may assist the youth with a payment of up to $250 as an initial independent living payment. Additionally, initial expenses related to setting up a household may be partially subsidized by the Department up to a maximum of $200 (Procedures 359.60, Payments for Independent Living Arrangements; Procedures 302-Appendix F, Youth in College Program; Rules 312, Department of Children and Family Services Scholarship Program; Procedures 302-Appendix J (IV), Pregnant and/or Parenting Program).
7) Youth Housing Assistance - Transitional (YHAT)
A) Housing Start-Up Grant
i) Eligibility Criteria
Wards applying for a housing start-up grant shall:
· have an open case with the Department and be ready for emancipation (payment cannot be made until after emancipation); or
· have a closed case and been emancipated;
· be 18 years of age;
· be less than 21 years of age;
· be in a situation that will result in the ward becoming homeless if cash assistance is not provided; and
· have an earned income or disability benefits income that is sufficient to meet rent and utility costs after the housing start-up grant is provided.
NOTE: The housing start-up grant cannot be paid to the ward until he or she has been emancipated.
ii) Referral Process
Referrals for housing advocacy services may be made by the ward's caseworker by submitting a completed CFS 370-5, Request for Cash and/or Housing Advocacy, and 370-5C, YHAT/YHAC Monthly Budget, to the casework supervisor for approval. POS case referrals are to be made to the DCFS Field Manager or POS Monitor and the Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator (YHAC) for approval. A ward that is ready for emancipation may be referred for a housing start-up grant, but the YHAC cannot authorize release of payments prior to receipt of documentation (CM-07 screen copy) that the ward's case has been closed. Referrals should be made no later than one week prior the ward's emancipation date to allow time for any required corrections.
The maximum housing start-up grant that an emancipating ward may receive is $800. The Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator or designee may approve grants up to $1200 if the emancipating ward is pregnant, parenting or disabled.
iii) Authorized Expenditures
Cash assistance may be authorized for the following reasons:
· housing security deposit;
· rent, if the ward is able to make future rent payments;
· beds for the emancipating ward and his or her children;
· utility deposits or bills, if the emancipating ward is able to make future utility payments;
· appliances; and
· other items required by the ward for emancipation.
B) Partial Housing Subsidy
i) Eligibility Criteria
Wards applying for a partial housing subsidy shall:
· have an open case with the Department and be ready for emancipation; or
· have a closed case and been emancipated;
· be 18 years of age;
· be less than 21 years of age;
· have housing costs greater than 30% of their income;
· have an earned income or disability benefits income that is sufficient to meet rent and utility costs when combined with cash assistance; and
· have completed a budget statement with their caseworker or housing advocate that demonstrates that the subsidy combined with the ward's other income will enable the ward to cover all remaining living expenses (e.g., housing, utilities, clothing and food).
ii) Referral Process
Referrals for partial housing subsidy grants may be made by the ward's caseworker by submitting a completed CFS 370-5, CFS 370-5C and CFS 370-5B, YHAT Request for Subsidy, to the casework supervisor for approval. POS case referrals are to be made to the DCFS Field Manager or POS Monitor and the YHAC for approval. The person approving the request may approve the entire subsidy at the time eligibility is determined. A ward that is ready for emancipation may be referred for a partial housing subsidy grant, but the YHAC cannot authorize release of payments prior to receipt of documentation (CM-07 screen copy) that the ward's case has been closed. Referrals should be made no later than one week prior the ward's emancipation date to allow time for any required corrections.
iii) Cash Assistance Subsidy
The maximum partial housing subsidy that may be awarded is $1,200. The subsidy may be paid in equal monthly installments over a 12-month period following the ward's emancipation unless an alternative 12-month disbursement schedule is requested by the ward and approved by the Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator. The ward's budget information must support his or her ability to make 12 monthly rent payments with subsidy monies disbursed on the schedule requested by the ward (e.g., $200 per month for the first six months). Alternative disbursement schedule requests must include separate budget forms completed for each month that the ward anticipates a change of income.
C) Housing Advocacy
Emancipating wards may receive housing advocacy services when it is determined that those services are necessary to ensure a ward's housing situation remains stable after he or she is emancipated.
i) Eligibility Criteria
Wards applying for housing advocacy services shall:
· have an open case with the Department;
· be at least 171/2 years of age;
· be within six months of becoming emancipated;
· be less than 21 years old;
· be in a housing situation that will result in the ward becoming homeless without housing advocacy services; and
· have an earned income or disability benefits income that is sufficient to meet rent and utility costs or be in a program that will help them obtain an income before housing is obtained (e.g., employment and training programs).
Note: An emancipated ward is eligible to apply for housing advocacy services until his or her 21st birthday.
ii) Referral Process
Referrals for housing advocacy services may be made by the ward's caseworker by submitting a completed CFS 370-5 to the casework supervisor for approval. POS case referrals are to be made to the DCFS Field Manager, POS Monitor or Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator for approval. Approved referrals shall be forwarded to the appropriate community based housing advocate provider for implementation of services. Housing advocacy services may include the following:
· assistance in securing affordable housing, utilities, clothing and food:
· consumer education;
· budget counseling;
· linkages to community based resources; and
· follow-up services for a minimum of three months after the youth secures appropriate housing.
8) Financial Assistance Benefits for Youth with Special Needs
Youth with physical or mental disabilities that are not currently receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits should be referred for SSI screening 30 days prior to their 18th birthday. SSI provides monthly financial as well as Medicaid benefits to persons that are impoverished and disabled. Referrals for youth in Cook County can be made to the Cook Children's SSI project, 312/782-5300. All other referrals can be made to the Center for Law and Human Services, 217/544-5200. Youth receiving SSI benefits can apply through their local Social Security office to become their own payee.
Youth with disabilities who are receiving Retirement, Survivors, and Disability Insurance (RSDI) will continue to receive those benefits until they graduate or leave school, or turn 19 years of age.
e) Youth in Transition Programs |
The following Department, State and Federal programs are available to Department wards to assist them in becoming successful members of their community, work and school.
1) Youth in College Program (YCP)
The Youth in College Program provides supplemental services and cash stipend payments to youth for whom the Department is legally responsible and who are enrolled full-time in college or a post-secondary school program (Procedures 302, Appendix F, Youth in Transition Program; Procedures 359.60, Payments for Independent Living Arrangements).
The Department has entered into an agreement with the Illinois College Community Board (ICCB), which will provide a greater number of DCFS youth with the opportunity to obtain a college education. The Department will pay a maximum four semesters of tuition for wards that are accepted/enrolled in an Illinois community college and the ICCB will encourage community colleges to provide other supportive services such as career counseling, financial aid application assistance, placement services and tutoring (Procedures 302, Appendix F).
2) Independent Living Placement Services (ILO)
The Supervised Independent Living Program provides supportive services and living maintenance to youth for whom the Department is legally responsible. The purpose of the SILP is to assist youth who have demonstrated the minimum requirements for living independently to progress toward their goal of independence (Procedures 302-Appendix H; Policy Guide 2001.10, Approval Procedures for Independent Living Placement Services and Transitional Living Program Services; Procedures 359.60, Payments for Independent Living Arrangements).
4) Department Scholarship Program
The Department Scholarship Program provides a maximum of 48 scholarships each year, four of which are awarded to children of veterans. The Department Scholarship Committee awards scholarships to students for whom the Department has legal responsibility or had legal responsibility immediately prior to the adoption being finalized, or who are in the subsidized guardianship program. Scholarship recipients receive up to four consecutive years of tuition and academic fee waiver to be used at participating Illinois state universities, a monthly stipend and a medical card (Rules 312, Department of Children and Family Services Scholarship Program; Procedures 359.60, Payments for Independent Living Arrangements).
5) Pregnant and/or Parenting Program
The Pregnant and/or Parenting Program provides supportive services and living maintenance to pregnant and/or parenting children and youth for whom the Department is legally responsible. The Department recognizes that these wards and their children are a family, and this program is designed to ensure that the ward's role and responsibility as a parent are respected and supported (Procedures 320-Appendix J, Pregnant and/or Parenting Program).
6) Youth in Employment Program (YEP)
The Youth in Employment Program (Procedures 302, Appendix F) provides supplemental services and cash stipend to youth who are 17 but not yet 21 years of age for whom the Department has court-ordered legal responsibility or where legal custody has been transferred to a private guardian in accordance with Rules 302.405. The youth must be employed and working a minimum of 20 hours per week and have received basic independent living skills training and achieved minimal readiness for independent living. Services offered through YEP represent the combined efforts of the Illinois Employment Training Centers, Welfare to Work providers and the Department's Statewide Youth Employment Coordinator.
7) Youth in Vocational and Technical Training Program (YVTP)
The Youth in Vocational and Technical Training Program (Procedures 302, Appendix F) provides supplemental services and cash stipend to youth who are 17 but not yet 21 years of age who have graduated high school or have obtained a General Equivalency Diploma. The Department must have court-ordered legal responsibility for the youth or legal custody of the youth must have been transferred to a subsidized guardian in accordance with Rules 302.405. The youth must be enrolled in a vocational or trade program and attending as a full-time student or must be enrolled in a vocational or trade program and attending as a part-time student and working a minimum of six hour per week in a vocational occupation or trade.
8) Lincoln's Challenge Program
The Illinois National Guard's Lincoln's Challenge Program is a federally funded youth program for 16-18 year-old at-risk youth. This program is designed to offer its students a variety of educational and vocational opportunities as well as the necessary life skills to be a successful member of their community, work and school. This is a 17-month, two-phased military modeled training program. Youth who complete the program are eligible for a continuing education stipend of $1,000. Graduates are also eligible for a renewable $1,000 scholarship from the Illinois Community College Board. Information and applications for the program can be obtained by calling 1-800-851-2166. Applications must be received 30 days prior to the class start date.
9) Job Corps
The Job Corps is a residential education and training program for disadvantaged youth between the ages of 16 and 24. There are 110 Job Corps centers throughout the United States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The program offers students the opportunity to enroll in basic education and GED classes while they receive vocational training. Program information can be obtained by calling 1-800/230-5627.
f) Department Sponsored Youth Groups |
1) Youth Advisory Boards
The Regional and Statewide Youth Advisory Boards are comprised of wards, ages 14 - 21, that present to the Director the issues and concerns of youth in care throughout the state. Youth are appointed to advisory boards by the Department and serve a two-year term.
2) Youth in Care Network
The Youth in Care Network is comprised of adolescent peer support groups that have been organized throughout the state to provide a process for wards to discuss placement and service issues.
3) Rites of Passage
The Rites of Passage program is available to African-American males in Cook County, age 16 and over. This is a culturally sensitive program that celebrates maturity and movements from one level of knowledge about life to the next as youth learn to recognize their unique obligations to society. Caseworkers can refer youth to this program by contacting Sidney Foalks, Chicago Area Project, 312/663-3574.
g) Release of Guardianship |
The permanency goal of independence is achieved when the youth is age 18 or is an emancipated minor under the Emancipation of Mature Minors Act and, in the worker and supervisor's judgement, the youth is functioning successfully on his or her own. In most instances, the child will be employed, be enrolled in a job training or educational program, and will have financial support or income from an outside source, and custody or guardianship has been terminated and case closure is planned (Procedures 306, Service Termination).
Six months prior to the youth's planned discharge date, the caseworker will review the youth's transition plan with the youth. This review should include discussions concerning the youth's employment and/or educational opportunities, job resume, housing, health care, counseling, health and life insurance, information on use of community resources, reference letters, and list of emergency contact persons. The youth should also be assisted in obtaining or compiling documents necessary to function as an independent adult. Those documents may include:
· identification card;
· social security card;
· driver's license;
· medical records and documentation;
· certified copy of birth certificate;
· documents and information on the youth's religious background;
· U.S. documentation of immigration, citizenship, or naturalization;
· death certificate(s) if parent(s) is deceased;
· Medicaid card or other health eligibility documentation;
· life book or compilation of personal history and photographs;
· list of known relatives, with relationships, addresses and telephone numbers, with the permission of the involved parties;
· list of schools attended, previous placements, clinics used; and
· educational records, such as high school diploma or general equivalency diploma.
Youth successfully transitioning to independence should be notified by their caseworker of cessation of any benefits that may occur at the time of transition as well as services for which the youth may be eligible after becoming emancipated.
h) Youth Housing Assistance - Crisis (YHAC)
The Department may provide housing advocacy services and/or cash assistance to stabilize an emancipated ward's housing situation to ensure that the youth does not become homeless.
1) Housing Advocacy Services
Youth requiring housing advocacy services may be referred to a community based housing advocacy provider for implementation of services. Housing advocacy services may include:
· assistance in securing affordable housing, utilities, clothing and food;
· consumer education;
· linkages to community based resources; and
· follow-up services for a minimum of three months after the youth secures appropriate housing.
A) Eligibility Criteria
Youth applying for housing advocacy services shall:
· have had an open case with the Department:
· have been adopted or entered subsidized guardianship between the ages of 14 and 18; or
· be emancipated and be 18 but not yet 21 years of age;
· be homeless or in real and significant danger of becoming homeless if assistance is not provided; and
· have an earned income or disability benefits income that is sufficient to meet rent and utility costs in the future of show commitment to obtaining an income (e.g., youth is in a job placement program).
B) Referral Process
Youth in crisis can make a self-referral by contacting the Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator directly or through any Department Field Office, POS agency or housing advocacy provider. The youth must complete a CFS 370-5, CFS 370-5C and provide verification that he or she is in a crisis situation (e.g., a written statement from a community service provider, eviction notice, utility disconnect notice). The Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator or designee may only approve those requests where the youth can provide verification that a crisis situation exists.
2) Cash Assistance Subsidy
The total YHAC cash assistance, including a YHAT start-up grant, may not exceed $2,000 per 12 month period. The lifetime limit for combined cash assistance subsidies (YHAC and YHAT) may not exceed $4,000.
Cash assistance may be authorized for the following:
· housing security deposit;
· current or back due rent when the youth cannot make the payment but will be able to make future payments;
· beds for the youth and the youth's children;
· utility deposits or bills, if the youth is able to make future utility payments;
· appliances; and
· miscellaneous other expenses necessary to avoid a crisis.
A) Eligibility Criteria
Youth applying for cash assistance shall:
· have had an open case with the Department;
· be emancipated and between 18 and 21 years of age;
· be homeless or in real and significant danger of becoming homeless; and
· have an earned income or disability benefits income that is sufficient to meet rent and utility costs in the future.
Note: Youth that do not have an earned income or disability benefits income may be referred for housing advocacy services and receive a one time cash assistance grant of $600 if the youth is able to show that he or she is committed to obtaining an income (e.g., the youth is in a job training/placement program).
B) Referral Process
Youth in crisis can make a self-referral by contacting the Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator directly or through any Department Field Office, POS agency or housing advocacy provider. The youth must complete a CFS 370-5, CFS 370-5C and provide verification that he or she is in a crisis situation (e.g., a written statement from a community service provider, eviction notice, utility disconnect notice). The Youth Housing Assistance Coordinator or designee may only approve those requests where the youth can provide verification that a crisis situation exists.
POLICY GUIDES
Rule and Procedure Table of Contents