Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

Service delivery must be driven by quality assessment and planning –expectations and obligations for providers and youth must be clear Planning for transition and self sufficiency must be based on the youngperson’s individual needs Currently eligible populations should remain potentially eligible – servicelevels will change or alternative ways or providing services will beproposedKey components and major changes of the recommendation are:Currently full time school attendance is the primary eligibilityrequirement for RTIProposed replacement with federal fostering connections eligibilityrequirements as below ensuring the full population of youth existing outof home care will be eligible including youth exiting at 18 in the custodyof a relative and or non relative with ongoing court supervision of thecases.Florida should exercise the voluntary option of extending foster care toage 21 under the Foster Connections and Adoption Act of 2008.Currently there are three types of supports available Aftercare, Road toIndependence and Transitional SupportProposed is to replace with two programs Intensive and Bridge supportBoth programs are voluntary.Key features of intensive services are case management, semiannualcourt oversight, permanency and transition planning, needed supportsand services and housing in a two tiered system plan.Eligibility for intensive services includes:Completing secondary education or in a program leading to anequivalent credentialEnrolled in an institution that provides post secondary or vocationaleducation, participating in program or activity designed dot promoteor remove barriers to employmentEmployed for at least 80 hours per month or have a medical conditionthat renders the youth incapable of engaging tin these activitiesBridge Support key features are access to information/referral andservices and time limited cash assistance.