FYI FYI FYI FYI	

F   O   R       Y   O   U   R       I   N   F   O   R   M   A   T   I   O   N	
	
	Issue	10-39  REV	Date:	06/30/10		

ANNOUNCING THE NEW DCFS 90-DAY TRANSITION PLANNING CONFERENCE (90-Day TP Conference) AND FEDERALLY REQUIRED 90-DAY TRANSITION PLAN (90-Day TP) FOR FOSTER YOUTH PRIOR TO AGING-OUT OF FOSTER CARE

This is to notify staff of the new federal mandate that requires a 90-Day Transition Plan (90-Day TP) for foster youth prior to youth transitioning/emancipating or aging-out of foster care.  Public Law 110-351, The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act, requires that a foster youth have a 90-Day Transition Plan that specifically covers the following areas:  housing, education, health insurance, mentors/continuing support services and workforce support/employment services.  The purpose of the 90-Day TP is to provide youth and those supporting them with a concrete individualized plan to follow that assists the youth in preparing for successful transition to adulthood.

Effective immediately, the 90-Day TP must be completed for foster youth no more than 90 and no less than 30 calender days prior to the 18th birthday of a youth in legal guardianship or a dependent youth’s Termination of Jurisdiction hearing (WIC 366.3).  The plan is to be developed at the direction of the youth and should be as detailed as the youth decides.  The youth should be encouraged to include in this process their caregiver, a family member, mentor or other adult(s) important to the youth.  Best practice includes consideration of other case plans (e.g., Wraparound, education, IEP, mental health or regional centers.

A 90-Day TP Conference is:  “Any meeting attended by, at a minimum, the youth and the CSW for the purpose of completing the 90-Day TP.  In all cases, whenever possible, the ILP/Transition Coordinator should be a participant in the 90-Day TP Conference.  The JV-365 and the DCFS 5204A may be completed during the 90-Day TP Conference.

For those youth who are unable to have meaningful participation in the development of the 90-Day TP, the CSW will develop the plan in collaboration with agencies, service providers and/or significant individuals in the youth’s life.

			If you have any questions regarding this release please 
	e-mail your question to:

	Policy@dcfs.lacounty.gov  |	
Clerical Handbook: http://lacdcfs.org/Policy/Hndbook%20Clerical/Default.htm 
Eligibility Handbook: http://lacdcfs.org/Policy/Hndbook%20FCE/TableofContents.htm
Child Welfare Services Handbook: http://lacdcfs.org/Policy/Hndbook%20CWS/default.htm
FYI’s: http://lacdcfs.org/Policy/FYI/TOCFYI.htm

Once the 90-Day TP is completed, the document is signed by all parties and copies are provided to the youth and other individuals involved in developing the plan.  A completed DCFS 5557 and a copy of the completed 90-Day TP are to be attached to the 366.3 Court Report as part of the Case Plan.

For runaway youth, the CSW should develop a 90-Day TP and attach copies of the youth’s important documents such as birth certificate, social security card, Medi-Cal card, proof of dependency, etc., and send to the Youth Development Services (YDS) ILP/Transition Coordinator.  In addition, the CSW should notify significant adults in the youth’s life with the contact information for YDS if, in the future, they come in contact with the youth and (s)he wants the documents or ILP services

The 90-Day TP is to be completed IN ADDITION to the Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP).  These are two separate requirements and two different documents.  The 90-Day TP is a Federal requirement the TILP is a State of California requirement.  Completion of the Casey assessment is not required when developing the 90-Day TP.

Once the 90-Day TP is completed, no additional TILP updates are required unless the court continues dependency beyond the 90-day period and a TILP update becomes due (TILP updates are normally due every six months).  A new 90-Day TP must be completed if the prior one expires (i.e., the date the current 90-Day TP was signed is more than 90 days from the Terminaiton of Jurisdiction hearing continuance date.

Please refer to the following attached 90-Day TP form, which includes detailed completion instructions and a copies distribution list.  The 90-Day TP is also available in the Forms Section of LAKids.

The following Procedural Guides are affected by this new requirement and will be updated to reflect these changes in the near future:

0080-505.10, Youth Development:  Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP)
0100-535.60, Youth Development:  Transitioning to Independence
0100-535.70, Pre-Exit Interview for Transitioning Youth
0300-503.16, Writing the WIC 366.3 Status Review Hearing Report

The following forms are relevant to completion of the 90-Day Transition Plan:

DCFS 5204A, Exit Outcomes for Youth Aging Out of Foster Care
DCFS 5557, TILP Transmittal & Supplement
JV-365, Termination of Dependency Jurisdiction (Child Attaining Age of Majority)

NOTE:	Prior to a youth’s transitioning out of DCFS care to live independently, any unpaid citations, 		tickets or fines or incomplete court ordered community service must be documented in the 		90-Day TP and brought to the attention of the court in the Status Review Hearing report 			requesting termination of jurisdiction.  The CSW should assist the youth in developing a 			workable plan for meeting his/her legal obligations before jurisdiction is terminated.

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES & COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

90-Day Transition Plan

This form is for you to develop a plan when you are within 90 days of leaving foster care.  This plan will focus on activities that you will complete during this time.  This is as an agreement between you and those supporting you to work toward completing your transition plan.  This should be developed with you in a transition conference setting, or group meeting, with those you want involved and who are helping you to successfully transition out of foster care.

Instructions To Youth:  During the 90 day period before you leave foster care, you will make a transition plan that shows where you plan to live, receive additional support, work and/or go to school after you leave care and help keep family connections.  The purpose of this plan is to help you take steps to successfully live on your own.

Instructions to Caregiver/other adults:  If asked by the youth, you are also agreeing to assist the youth in the development of a 90 day transition plan that will help him/her to successfully transition out of foster care. 

Instructions to Social Worker:  During the 90 day period prior to the youth exiting foster care, you are agreeing to assist the youth in developing a transition plan that will address his/her needs for housing, employment, education, mentors, continuing support services and health insurance.  Attach a copy to the WIC 366.3 Court Report as part of the Case Plan.

Instructions for Family, Service Providers, CASA and others connected to and supporting the youth:  If asked by the youth, you are also agreeing to assist the youth in the development of a 90 day transition plan that will help him/her to successfully transition out of foster care.

During the 90 day period prior to aging out of care:

This plan is to be completed within the 90 day period before you turn 18, 19, or graduate from high school, whichever event will coincide with his/her exit from foster care.  If you emancipate from care before age 18, this plan should be completed within 90 days before your target emancipation date.

The sections on the next page must be completed to include your plan for education, employment, housing, mentoring, family connections, continuing support services, health insurance and completing any court ordered penalties (if applicable).  The plan must be personal to you and as detailed as you can get.  The plan must contain specific actions that you and others will take to help you prepare for leaving care.

*Note:  The last page of this form has an example grid that can give you ideas to help make your planning very concrete.

90-Day Transition Plan (01/10)	Page 1 of 4

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES & COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

Example

90-Day Transition Plan

Education Goals:

I plan to attend….	TimeLine

FAFSA due:	01/01/2009
School application	01/15/2009
Scholarship app:	02/01/2009
Housing app:	03/01/2009

(Due dates of all document and application deadlines)	Recommended documents the youth will need

•	Copy of School application
•	Copy of FAFSA application
•	Copy of Chafee grant application
•	Copy of Guardian Scholar application
•	Copy of High School transcripts
	
Employment Plan:

I plan to get/have a job at….

1.
2.
3.
4.	I have Prepared by:

•	Completing ILP Proficiency Certificate checklist
•	Completing job applications at:_________
•	Having Social Security card available
•	Identifying people to provide reference
	Recommended documents the youth will need

•	Copy of resume
•	Copy of Permanent Residency card (if applicable)
•	List of people willing to provide reference
	
Housing Plan:

I plan to live with/in…	I have prepared by:

•	Touring the facilities
•	Confirming deposit and move-in arrangements
•	Checking resources provided by housing facility
	Recommended documents the youth will need

•	Copy of housing application
•	Housing deposit verification
•	Completed cost of living budget
	
Family Connections:

I feel closely connected to…………..	I plan to stay connected to family and other adults by:

•	Having phone and in-person contact with…..
•	Making a plan to stay with ….during college dorm breaks
•	Having email addresses for…
	Recommended documents the youth will need

•	Contact list for family members

90-Day Transition Plan (01/10)	Page 2 of 4

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES & COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

Youth’s Name: ________________________________DOB: _________ Age:________ Ethnicity:__________

Case Worker Name:___________________________ Case Worker phone:____________________ 

90-Day Transition Plan	
Education Plan: 	To prepare, I or a supporting adult (name) will:	Recommended documents the youth will need	
Employment Plan: 	To prepare, I or a supporting adult (name) will:	Recommended documents the youth will need	
Housing Plan: 	To prepare, I or a supporting adult (name) will:	Recommended documents the youth will need	
Mentoring & Continuing Support Services (i.e mental health, health services) Plan: 	To prepare, I or a supporting adult (name) will:	Recommended documents the youth will need	
Family and Other Permanent Connections: 	I plan to stay connected to family and other adults by:	Recommended documents the youth will need	
Health Insurance Plan 	If not eligible for extended Medi-Cal, I plan to get health insurance through:	Agency, employer or other person providing health insurance:
	
Court Order Compliance Plan (if applicable)
(e.g., fines or community service):	I will comply with court ordered penalties by:	Agency or other person overseeing compliance:	
NOTE:  Additional boxes can be inserted if needed

	Copies to:	Youth
	Caregiver
	Case File
	Court
	YDS
	Family
	
90-Day Transition Plan (01/10)	Page 3 of 4

CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES & COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES

Acknowledgements: 

  I know that I must sign verification paperwork to continue my Medi-Cal health insurance benefits when I exit from foster care and again each year to receive Medi-Cal until my 21st birthday or until I have secured a different type of health insurance. I am also aware that when I move I must resubmit a verification form with my new address.	________ Youth’s Initials

  I know that 30 days prior to leaving foster care, I am eligible to apply for food stamps.
	________ Youth’s Initials

  I agree to meet with my caregiver and social worker as needed to ensure sufficient progress towards my goals. 	________ Youth’s Initials

Target date for exiting foster care:  ______________

By signing below, this means we will all work to complete the steps necessary to help the youth complete his/her transition plan.

________________________________________________	_______________________
Youth’s signature	Date

________________________________________________	_______________________
Caregiver’s signature	Date

________________________________________________	_______________________
Social Worker signature	Date 

________________________________________________	_______________________
ILP/Transition Coordinator signature	Date

________________________________________________	_______________________
Family Member signature	Date

________________________________________________	_______________________
Service Providers/Therapist signature	Date

________________________________________________	_______________________
CASA/Other Youth Advocates signature	Date

Federal Legislative & Regulatory References:

Public Law 110-351, which states that a Transition Plan must be developed at the direction of the youth during the 90 day period prior to the youth aging out.  The plan must contain specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors/continuing support services and workforce support/employment services.

	Copies to:	Youth
	Caregiver
	Case File
	Court
	YDS
	Family