Discharge & Transition Planning 624-05-15-110

(Revised 1/1/24 ML #3781)

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Discharge Planning

Discharge planning efforts begin the day a child enters foster care. The Child & Family Team, including the child when age appropriate, need to develop a comprehensive discharge plan, focusing on the individualized needs of the child. Special attention must be given to the child’s mental health, substance abuse, and developmental issues.

 

Federal law requires that all children in foster care should be discharged with the following items at no cost to the child:

  1. Personal items
  2. Legal documents
    1. Copy of birth certificate
    2. Copy of Social security card, and/or
    3. Identification card (if applicable)
  3. Medical information
    1. The extent of the medical history and records provided upon discharge is to be determined by the case manager as necessary and appropriate for the child’s continued care.
  4. Education records
    1. History of schools attended
    2. School grade level
    3. Copy of the child’s IEP (if applicable)
  5. Credit report results
    1. Only required for children over the age of 14
  6. Transition Checklist (SFN 494)
    1. Only required at age 18 for children “aging out” of foster care

Transition Planning

For a child “aging out” of foster care at the age of 18, transition planning occurs in conjunction with discharge planning.

 

A transition plan is required for all children “aging out” of foster care and must be completed within 90 days prior to their 18th birthday. The transition plan must be developed and personalized at the direction of the child and made part of their foster care case plan (either attached or embedded in the case plan). Transition planning is also required 90 days prior to the 18th birthday for a child who is interested in remaining in the 18+ Continued Care program. The transition plan can be updated as needed.

 

North Dakota requires the use of SFN 494 “Transition Checklist” for all children aging out of foster care regardless of the length of time the child has been in foster care. For placements less than six months, custodians should make concerted efforts to gather required documentation noted on the Transition Checklist. This document will assist the Child and Family Team in developing transition goals and organizing all required information that must be provided to a child aging out.

 

All efforts must be made to ensure that foster youth are not discharged into homelessness.

 

Transition Plan Agreement

Children placed in a residential facility (QRTP or PRTF) must have discharge planning begin on the first day of placement. If a licensed provider is identified as the discharge placement option for the child, they may be asked to participate in a Transition Plan Agreement. If the selected family is licensed, HHS does have reimbursement options available to help support the transition period from the facility back into their home in the community.

A Transition Plan Agreement is allowed per policy (624-05-12), here is the link to the procedure: Transition Plan Agreement