(a) The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 supports states in the provision of independent living (IL) services for both state and tribal youth in custody, focusing on:
(b) Federal regulations and state statues require that eligible youth receive:
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(1) an assessment of basic life skills to determine the youth's independent living and the areas of skill needed for the youth to transition to independence and community life identified in the assessment;
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(2) documentation of an IL plan, including the services and goals the worker and youth identify as necessary for the youth to achieve the transition to independence; and
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(3) dispositional hearings and review hearings with a determination by the court that the IL services needed to assist the youth in making the transition from custody to self-sufficiency are provided for youth age 16 or older.
(c) Tribal youth in custody are eligible for services provided through community contracts, including educational, vocational, supplemental assistance, resource materials, teen conferences, Fun Fest, independent living seminars, Emancipation Station, technical assistance, and training. The tribal Child Welfare Services (CWS) worker enrolls eligible youth at age 16 with the community contract provider using Form 04IL004E, Independent Living Community Contracted Services Enrollment.
(d) Contingency funds are designed as supportive services for youth in preparation for living on their own and for emergencies encountered after leaving care while learning to live independently. The tribal CWS worker accesses the funds described in (1) through (3) for the tribal youth by contacting the Children and Family Services Division (CFSD) Independent Living coordinator.
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(1) Independent Living Preparation contingency funds are available to eligible youth between the ages of 16 and 18 years who are currently in tribal custody in out‑of‑home placement. These funds can be used for graduation, education related expenses, and purchased services necessary to achieve the youth's independent living plan.
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(2) Independent Living Supportive Services contingency funds are available to eligible youth who are between the ages of 18 and 21 years and were in tribal custody in out-of-home placement for nine months between the ages of 16 and 18. These funds can be used for car repair, furniture and appliances, public transportation, clothing, medical expenses, graduation expenses, purchased services such as substance abuse counseling and mentors, and other services necessary to achieve the youth's independent living plan.
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(3) Housing contingency funds are available for tribal youth in custody who were in out-of-home placement on their 18th birthday and have not yet reached the age of 21 years. Any youth who received voluntary placement at the age of 18 is not eligible for housing. The contingency funds are used for living expenses such as rent, utilities, deposits, and food.
(e) Tribal youth in custody are eligible for a one-time monetary incentive payment when exiting tribal custody from an out-of-home placement to reunification, adoption, guardianship, or independence. The incentive payment is calculated based upon the youth's accomplishments between the time when IL services were initiated at age 16 until the youth exits care. Activities for which the youth receives compensation include educational attainment, employment, placement stability, volunteerism, life skills development, and planning for the future. The tribal CWS worker contacts the CFSD IL coordinator to obtain the application for these services.