Items that have been deleted can be seen by clicking the Deleted link. 3.1F INDEPENDENT LIVING, Certifications and Requirements, Objective Eligibility Criteria 1. What are the program eligibility requirements for programs and services provided by the State? 4. Does marriage have any impact on a youth's eligibility for CFCIP? 5. Can former foster care youth be required by the court to participate in the CFCIP? 1. Question: What are the program eligibility requirements for programs and services provided by the State? Answer: The State determines, within the purposes defined in the statute at section 477(a) of the Social Security Act (the Act), the assistance and services that will be made available to all youth whom the State defines as eligible for the program.
In defining the program eligibility requirements, the State is required: 1) to ensure that the programs serve children of various ages and at various stages of achieving independence (section 477(b)(2)(C) of the Act); 2) to use objective criteria for determining eligibility for benefits and services under the programs (section 477(b)(2)(E) of the Act); and 3) to ensure fair and equitable treatment of benefit recipients (section 477(b)(2)(E) of the Act). The Department supports positive youth development, which values youth and an individual youth's involvement in planning his/her activities and goals. Furthermore, we view independent living as part of the developmental process critical to the well-being of all children and youth. States are expected to develop or locate services and training that are appropriate to the individual's age, circumstances and developmental needs.
Answer: The sending State is responsible for foster care maintenance payments, case planning, including a written description of the programs and services which will help a child 16 or over prepare for the transition from foster care to independence, as required by section 475(1)(D) of the Social Security Act (the Act) and a case review system as required by section 475(5)(C) of the Act. The sending State must also fund the identified independent living services for foster care youth ages 16-18 because the sending state has placement and care responsibility for the youth.
Answer: Section 477(b)(3)(A) requires States to certify that they will provide assistance and federally-funded CFCIP services to youth who have left foster care because they have attained 18 years of age. It is irrelevant where the youth "aged out" of foster care. The State in which the youth resides is responsible for services if the State provides the services needed by the youth.
Answer: Section 477(b)(2)(E) of the Act requires the State to use objective criteria for determining eligibility for the CFCIP program. The State may decide that marriage will be considered in determining a youth's eligibility for CFCIP. Once the eligibility criteria are set, all youth must be treated equitably.
Answer: The court may order a youth to participate in independent living services, however, the youth must meet the State's eligibility requirements to be eligible for services. Additionally, section 477(b)(3)(H) requires the State to ensure that youth participate directly in designing their own program activities that prepare them for independent living and that the youth accept personal responsibility for living up to their part of the program. If a youth is unwilling to participate or accept personal responsibility, he/she cannot receive services.
Answer: Section 477(b)(3)(A) requires States to provide federally-funded CFCIP services to youth between ages 18 and 21 who left foster care because they attained 18 years of age. The State may also provide assistance and services to other former foster care youth whom the State defines as eligible, consistent with the statutory purposes defined in section 477(a). The youth in the example could receive federally-funded CFCIP services if the State included former foster care youth who did not "age out" of foster care at age 18 in its eligibility criteria. However, room and board is available only to the extent consistent with the limitation in section 477(b)(3)(B).
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