Discharge Planning 624-05-15-110

(Revised 1/15/10 ML #3206)

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Every young person deserves a permanent family relationship. For some, permanency may be defined as a lifelong connection to a supportive adult.

 

The Child & Family Team, including the youth, needs to develop a comprehensive discharge plan, focusing on the individualized needs of the young person. Special attention must be given to the youth's mental health, substance abuse, and developmental issues. All youth should leave care with the following:

• his/her personal items
• legal documents, including birth certificate, social security card and/or identification card
• medical and immunization records
• education records

The areas of housing, education, and/or employment should be firmly in place prior to discharge. Youth should not be discharged from foster care without fully exploring financial resources. For those youth without the support of a family, the plan should include significant adults that can be counted on to support the youth following his/her discharge. Appropriate referrals, including those to Independent Living Programs and Medical Assistance, should be made prior to discharge.

 

A transition plan, personalized at the direction of the foster child, must be developed during the 90-day period immediately prior to the date on which the child will reach age 18. The transition plan will include specific options such as:

1. Housing
2. Health insurance
3. Education
4. Local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services
5. Work force supports and employment services.

 

Foster youth aging out of the system must be provided with a copy of their health and education records at no cost to the youth.

 

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