Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

3. Suggested Activities For Teens:The Teen Plan must be developed based on each youth’s maturitylevel, interests, and abilities.Teen Plan Suggested Activities for Ages 13-14Participating in school or community based after school clubs,sports, or groupsParticipating in activities with friends from school/social groupswith adult supervisionTeen Plan Suggested Activities for Ages 15-16Riding public transportationUnsupervised social activities with friends and peers (movies,shopping, school events, etc.)Discussion about attending prom, homecoming and other largesocial eventsCompleting drivers education, receiving a learner’s permit anddriver’s licenseTeen Plan Suggested Activities for Age 17Unsupervised activities (including dating) as long as the caregivercan verify friends are from the same school, faith basedorganization, or other approved social group.What is the purpose of the Teen Plan?The purpose of this Plan is to develop a procedure to maximize theauthority of foster parents, family foster homes, residential childcaring agencies, or other authorized care givers to approveparticipation in age-appropriate activities of youth in their care.I: Maximize the authority of foster parents and authorized caregiversto approve the youth’s participation in activities.II: Protect the license of foster parents and authorized caregivers.Foster parents and authorized caregivers shall not be held responsibleunder administrative rules or laws pertaining to state licensure orhave their licensure status in any manner jeopardized as a result ofthe actions of a child engaged in approved activities documented intheir teen plan. In other words, when approved activities are properlydocumented, specific, kept current and agreed upon, results of ayouth’s participating in that activity will not jeopardize licensing.III: Ensure that a Foster Care youth has the same opportunities ashis/her peers. The Teen Plan is designed to help each youth developpro-social skills, interpersonal relationships, independence and apositive self-identity based on individual interests and abilities.Teen Plan Checklist The Teen Plan was developed in partnership with the youth andfoster parent/authorized caregivers. The Teen Plan is written in language the youth understands. The Teen Plan details the responsibilities and expectations ofboth the youth and the foster parent/caregiver. The Teen Plan identifies social and extracurricular activitieschosen by the youth. There is a clear plan that identifies ways the youth candemonstrate maturity and responsibility in order to obtain moreprivileges. The Teen Plan confirms the youth is receiving his/her allowance. The Teen Plan is signed by the youth and the foster parent/authorized caregivers and case worker. Information from the Teen Plan is included in the youth’s caseplan. The Teen Plan is reviewed at each Judicial Review.IMPROVINGOUTCOMES OF TEENS IN FLORIDA’S FOSTER CARE SYSTEMEach Practice Guide is designed to explain core elements required ofcommunity based care agencies working with youth in Foster Care.Additionally, Practice Guides promote implementation of procedures that fulfilleach youth’s individual needs while meeting requirements of local systems.Practice Guides in this series include:Permanency Planning for TeensCreating an SIL Evaluation FormDeveloping a Teen/Normalcy PlanEmployment Benchmarks for Case Workers Working with Foster Care YouthEmployment Benchmarks for YouthThis document was created by the Cby25 Initiative,Inc. for the Florida Department of Children and Families.PRACTICE GUIDE:IMPROVING OUTCOMES OF TEENS INFLORIDA’S FOSTER CARE SYSTEMFlorida Statute mandates that youth age 13-17 whoare in the custody of the Department of Childrenand Families have an approved plan for participationin age appropriate activities.Our Youth in foster care (just like all teens) arenormal. So this document will refer to themandated age-appropriate activities plan as aTeen Plan.DEVELOPING A TEEN / NORMALCY PLANinfo@cby25i.org