Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

What Can You Expect From The Department ofChildren & Families?LIVING SITUATION cont’dMovingYou can expect to remain in the same foster homewithout being moved to another placement, unless• the Department explains to you why it is necessaryfor you to move, and• helps you get the services you need to becomfortable during the move and in the new home.• To get special education services if you need them,• To have a surrogate parent appointed if your ownparents cannot make educational decisions for you,and• To have your school records shared with theDepartment to make sure the Department knowsyou are attending and making progress in school.• To have a quiet place to do homework,• To participate in school activities, and• When you are older, to have assistance in choosing acareer and planning for it.Other Children & YouthYou can expect to live in a family home with no morethan one other foster child, unless• you are placed with your brothers and sisters, or• you are placed in a group home if it is the mostfamily-like setting appropriate for you.People Who Know YouYou can expect to live in a shelter or foster homein which the parents know and understand yourpersonal history, needs, and problems.PERMANENCYVisiting Your Parents or Legal Caregivers: You canexpect to have at least one visit each month with yourparents or legal caregivers, unless the judge says youcannot visit with them. If you were sexually abused,the court must hold a hearing before allowing theperson accused of abusing you to visit with you. Youwill have an attorney or guardian ad litem representyou at that hearing. You can tell your representativewhether or not you want to visit.Reunification Case PlanYou can expect• To make sure your case plan and services will enableyou to be reunited with your family or caregivers assoon as it is safe to do so and as soon as the judgepermits your return; and• To be told that you have a right to a family, and thatyou should not have long delays in your case.Permanent Home and FamilyYou can expect the Department to make every effort tofind you a permanent home and family if reunification isnot possible.EDUCATIONYou can expect• To go to the school that is best for you to attend,• To go to school every day with the fewest disruptionspossible for court or other meetings related to yourcase,• To have a referral to an educational evaluation team ifyou aren’t making progress in school,NORMALCYYou can expect• To participate with your foster or group home parentand services worker in writing an age appropriateactivities, or “normalcy”, plan,• To participate in age appropriate activities such assports, clubs, youth group, dating, volunteer work andworking,• To participate in activities that you would enjoy andthat your other friends get to do, and• To participate in activities that provide good lifeexperiences and opportunities and help you becomeindependent and self-sufficient when you become anadult.MoneyYou can expect:• To receive an allowance every month from moneyprovided by the Department,• To open your own bank account when you havetaken financial literacy classes, and• To work if your job does not interfere with yourschooling.Independent Living for Youth Ages 13-17You can expect:• To participate in the Independent Living Program,• To participate in classes and activities needed to helpyou transition to adulthood and self-sufficiency whenyou are old enough,• To participate in making your individual transitionalplan, and• To exercise your rights and responsibilities under theRoad to Independence Program and to participate inother financial aid programs you may need to go tocollege or vocational school.Foster Youth OrganizationsIf you want to participate you may:• Communicate with other youth in foster care for thepurpose of organizing as a group to advocate forbetter services and living conditions,• Work toward improvements in the child welfaresystem and• Provide support for one another while in the custodyof the Department.