Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

13FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONSFOR FOSTER YOUTHTRANSITIONING TO ADULTHOODFLORIDA'S CHILDREN FIRST, INC.RTI ProgramAccident or Illness: If you have an accident and must miss school for medical reasons, or if you suffer injuries that are seriousenough to qualify as a temporary disability, you should ask your doctor to write a letter that will allow you to maintain RTI eligibility ifyou miss class. Again, it is important that you demonstrate commitment to your education. One good way is to communicate earlywith your IL worker and seek the assistance you need.A short absence from school for any reason (including an accident, hospitalization or death of a close family member) should notaffect your RTI eligibility as long as you remain enrolled in school and maintain satisfactory progress during the school year.38. What are my rights to receive RTI benefits if I am disabled?Under the Road to Independence program, if you have a documented educational, medical, mental, developmental or physicaldisability, you are eligible for the same opportunities and services as non-disabled youth. The law requires the Department of Childrenand Families to provide reasonable accommodations and services to ensure equal opportunities for you. If you suspect you have adisability, you must request an evaluation or provide evidence from a qualified professional before you can receive accommodations.The Road to Independence Program requires non-disabled students to attend school full time, but students with a disability mayattend part time, remain eligible and receive full benefits.You must, however, maintain appropriate progress in order to continuereceiving funds even if you are only attending school part-time.You are advised to keep a file with copies of medical and other records documenting an accident, hospitalization, or death of a familymember, so that you have proof that you were absent from school because of one of these reasons. Once again, you can empoweryourself by communication your situation to your IL worker and explaining your plan for dealing with your situation or by seeking helpand referrals to assist you in recovering. If you drop out of school altogether, your RTI may be terminated.Transitional AssistancTRANSITIONAL ASSISTANCE39. I’m over 18 and not currently in school, so I’m not eligible for the Road to Independence stipend. I applied forTransitional Support, and I was told that I need to work on a Transition Plan in order to receive funds and services.What is a Transition Plan?In order to receive Transitional Support funds and services, you must have a written Transition Plan that is developed by you, togetherwith your caseworker. The plan contains the services that will be offered to you to support your efforts to achieve self-sufficiency.Additionally, you will have tasks to complete and are accountable for making progress towards completing the tasks. If you and thecaseworker do not agree on any part of the plan, then you are provided a grievance process. This means that you would be able to talkwith supervisors in the community based care agency to try to work out the disagreement. If you are denied Transitional Support fundsor services for any reason (which would include a disagreement over the Transition Plan), then you have the right to appeal the denial.If you are provided monthly Transitional Support funds, then usually the funds are approved for three-month periods. Before the threemonths are over, you would then apply for additional funds. It is important for you to show that you are working on making progresson you Transition Plan, so that you can continue to receive Transitional Support funds and services. If you are denied continuedTransitional Support for any reason, then you have the right to appeal.40. How many times can a youth apply for Transitional Assistance?There is not a limit on the amount of times you can apply. Each application will be reviewed both on its merit and for availability offunds. Each application will require a plan to show how the funds will be used to support your own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency.41. My transitional funds were terminated since I did not make enough progress on goals. Now that I am working ongoals, can I start back on my transitional funds?If your funds were terminated and you are now working towards completion of the goals you should go back to your communitybased care provider to develop a new plan so that your funds may be reinstated. Be prepared to demonstrate why this time will bedifferent and you will be able to meet your goals.You are accountable for the completion of, or progress towards, the specifictasks/goals included in your transition plan in order for the transitional funds to be renewed beyond the three-month period. If you andthe department or the community-based care provider cannot come to agreement regarding ANY part of the plan, the dispute maybe resolved through an informal agency grievance process in an effort to resolve the disagreement.