5101:2-42-19 Requirements for the provision of independent living services to youth in custody .

Effective Date: November 12, 2002.

Most current prior effective date: December 1, 1997.

(A)      Independent living services shall be provided to each youth in the custody of a PCSA or PCPA who has attained the age of sixteen to prepare them for the transition from agency custody to self-sufficiency. Independent living services may be provided to a youth under age sixteen when the PCSA or PCPA deems services to be appropriate. When determining the appropriateness of independent living services for youth under sixteen years of age, the PCSA or PCPA shall consider the likelihood the youth will remain in agency custody until the youth's eighteenth birthday.


(B)      If a PCSA is providing independent living services to an eligible unmarried minor female who is pregnant or has a child and is part of an "Ohio Works First" (OWF) assistance group, the PCSA shall inform the local CDJFS of the PCSA's involvement with the family in order to ensure coordination of services.


(C)      The PCSA or PCPA shall assure that caregivers who provide independent living services shall be prepared adequately with the appropriate knowledge and skills to understand and address the issues confronting adolescents. Caregivers shall provide such services as are needed and appropriate, and to the extent possible, coordinate such training with the life skill services needed by the youth.


(D)      The PCSA or PCPA shall conduct or obtain a life skills assessment for each youth who is in agency custody and has reached age sixteen, or who the agency has identified as appropriate to receive independent living services. A life skills assessment shall establish the need for life skills identified in paragraph (F) of this rule. The life skills assessment shall consist of an objective tool completed with documented input from the youth, the youth's caregiver, and the youth's case manager. The assessment shall be completed not later than sixty days after the youth's sixteenth birthday or sixty days after the youth enters into agency custody, whichever is first.


(E)      The agency is responsible for ensuring that a written independent living plan to achieve self-sufficiency shall be developed within thirty days of the completion of the assessment required by paragraph (D) of this rule. The plan shall be based upon the assessment and include input from the youth, the youth's case manager, the caregiver, and significant others in the youth's life. The independent living plan shall document the strengths, limitations, and resources of the youth and shall outline the services that will be provided to the youth. The independent living plan should be reviewed at least every ninety days thereafter until the agency's custody is terminated.


(F)      Independent living services, based on the assessment required by paragraph (D) of this rule shall include, but not be limited to, issues or concerns related to the following:

(1)      Daily living skills, including:

(a)      Securing and maintaining a residence (e.g, landlord/tenant rights and responsibilities, basic home maintenance);


(b)      Home management (e.g., food preparation, nutrition, cleaning, laundry and home safety);


(c)      Shopping (e.g., purchasing food, household supplies, clothing);


(d)      Money management (e.g., budgeting, banking, maintaining a savings account, taxes);


(e)      Utilization of community services and systems (e.g., libraries, accessing assistance programs);


(f)      Accessing and utilizing transportation (e.g., how to obtain a driver's license and insurance, public transportation);


(g)      Utilization of leisure time;


(h)      Personal care, hygiene and safety;


(i)      Pregnancy prevention and/or parenting skills; and


(j)      Time management.

(2)      Enhancement of personal decision making and communication skills.


(3)      Assistance in obtaining a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED), evaluating personal educational goals, and planning preparation for post secondary education and training.


(4)      Planning for job and/or career development.


(5)      Securing and maintaining employment.


(6)      Planning for ongoing and emergency personal health care needs (including education about avoidance of drug and alcohol abuse, risky sexual behavior, and smoking).


(7)      Building a positive self-image and self-esteem.


(8)      Development of positive adult relationships and support systems.

(G)      All PCSAs or PCPAs shall report applicable independent living services information for youth as described in this rule, and any other information deemed necessary by the director of ODJFS, as required in rule 5101:2-33-05 of the Administrative Code, according to the family and children services information system (FACSIS) reporting requirements.

Replaces: 5101:2-42-19

Effective: 11/12/2002

R.C. 119.032 review dates: 11/12/2007

CERTIFIED ELECTRONICALLY

Date: 10/03/2002 02:36 PM

Promulgated Under: 119.03

Statutory Authority: 5101.141, 5103.03, 5153.16

Rule Amplifies: 5101.141, 5103.03, 5153.16

Prior Effective Dates: 10/1/89, 1/1/91, 10/1/97