Independent Living Program - Florida's Center for Child Welfare

The Teen Plan must be specific, individualized, developed in partnership with the youth, foster parent/authorized caregiver and casemanager and written in language the youth understands.Note: Throughout this document, foster parents, family fosterhomes, residential child-caring agencies and other authorized caregivers will be referred to as “foster parents/authorized caregivers.”A Teen Plan is a written plan that outlines the approved age-appropriateactivities and responsibilities developed for each youth in licensed fostercare. The Teen Plan must be specific and individual to the youth, mustbe developed in partnership with the youth, foster parent/authorizedcaregiver, and case manager and must be written in language the youthunderstands.WHEN: The initial Teen Plan is developed within 90 days after theyouth’s 13 th birthday. A Teen Plan must be developed within 90 days ofentering DCF custody if a youth enters custody after his or her 13 thbirthday.WHO: At a minimum, Teen Plans are developed in partnership with theyouth, case worker, and foster parents/authorized care givers. Otherswho provide supports or services to the teen should also be included.Teen Plans must be signed by the youth, foster parent/authorized caregiver, and case worker and updated every 90 daysWHY: In addition to maximizing their authority to approve participationin age-appropriate activities for youth in their care, the Teen Planensures that foster parents/authorized care givers will not have theirlicensure status jeopardized as a result of the actions of youths engagedin approved activities specified in their Teen Plan.Cby25 Initiative Recommendation: Teen Plan Core Elements1. Youth Responsibilities & ExpectationsEach youth needs to understand what foster parents/authorizedcaregivers expect, both at home and elsewhere.A:. Chores should be specific with dates and times for expectedcompletion. For example:Chore M T W Th F S SMake Bed by 7:30 a.m. x x x x xClean Room by 5 p.m. x x xWash Dishes by 8 p.m. x x xB: A curfew is very important to a youth, both personally anddevelopmentally. Curfews should always be made clear. For example:Weekday WeekendActivity with Adult Supervision 9 pm Curfew 11:30 pm CurfewActivity without Supervision 7 pm Curfew 10 pm CurfewC: School Attendance, Homework and Educational AchievementHomework will be completed each night by: (Time) _____________All notices for school meetings, field trip & special assignments willbe given to:(Foster Parent Staff/Department at Group Home or Program) __No unexcused absences at school, attend tutoring, etc.Other: Always leave areas for information specific to the fosterhome/placement. (Specifics) ______________________________D: Self Care- Include a section if you need to address special issues forthe youth: medical health, counseling, self care, etc.E: The Teen Plan should clearly document expectations for the youths’participation in life skills training, staffing and court hearings.Cby25 Initiative Recommendation: Teen Plan Core Elements2. Approved ActivitiesThe approved activities section of the Teen Plan details activities thatfoster parents/authorized caregivers havethe authority to approve without additionalapproval from the case management agency.Remember, even though an activity isapproved in a Teen Plan, approval from thefoster parents/caregivers will be based onthe youths’ compliance with theresponsibilities and expectations detailed inthe Teen Plan as well as his/her efforts todemonstrate responsibility and good decisionmaking.Approved activities should be written out,specific and cover all aspects of the youth’ssocial, educational and extracurricularresponsibilities and desires.In addition to activities,the Teen Plan is a greatplace to lay down otherrules and expectationslike phone and internetprivileges. You should alsoinclude consequences ifthe youth is notcompliant with theresponsibilities detailed inthe Teen Plan .· The Teen Plan should include a section for the youth tocommunicate his or her interests or requests to participate inextracurricular educational, sports, social and personal developmentactivities.· Remember to arrange schedules and transportation. This will helpensure that plans successfully turn into action.· The Teen Plan is a great place to encourage employmentpreparation. When can the youth begin volunteering, working a parttimejob, babysitting or doing yard work for neighbors?· If youth express a desire to participate in an activity that is not yetapproved, explain when, why and how it can be approved in thefuture. We must answer for the youth: If not now, when?· The Teen Plan can also be used to document allowance. Forexample:Youth will receive this amount of allowance:Youth will receive allowance on this date(s):Detail any agreements or understandings about theyouth’s clothing allowance· The Teen Plan must be signed by the youth, foster parent/caregiver and case management agency and updated every 90days.Always help young people understand their roles. Make sure they know that as teens, they’ll have responsibilities and give examples of these responsibilities like chores, cleaning their rooms and completinghomework. Help them to understand that when they show they’re responsible for completing these tasks, they’re demonstrating that they can also be responsible to participate in other activities on their own.ActivityBandPersonalCellPhoneTransportationPlanFoster Parentwill transport orarrange withother parents ofband membersFunds for uniforms,fees andequipmentCase ManagerApproval StatusYes, but out ofstate trips mustbe discussed andapproved bycase workerN/A N/A No until youthsecures parttimeemploymentto pay bill