OKDHS.org - 340:75-6-115.1. Community contracted services

Calendar | Help | Contact Us | About this Site

Library: Policy

340:75-6-115.1. Community contracted services

<< Back

Next >>

Revised 6-27-02

(a) Eligibility. Eligibility criteria for community contracted independent living (IL) services include youth:

(1) ages 16 to 18 who are currently in Oklahoma Department of Human Services (OKDHS) or tribal custody and out-of-home placement;
(2) who were in OKDHS or tribal custody and out-of-home placement for nine months between ages 16 to 18 and have not reached their 21st birthday;
(3) in OKDHS or tribal custody who opt for voluntary care after 18; and
(4) ages 16 to 19 in Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) custody and foster family or specialized community homes.

(b) Services. Services provided through community contracts include:

(1) educational, vocational, and supplemental assistance;
(2) resource materials, such as instructional tools or supplies needed for the youth's transition;
(3) IL teen conferences, seminars, and activities;
(4) technical assistance to OKDHS and tribal Child Welfare (CW) staff and other contractors;
(5) training regarding the Oklahoma IL program and the preparation of youth for a successful transition to adulthood;
(6) processing requests for youth development funds; and
(7) issuing youth development fund payments for goods and services. • 1

(c) Assistance. The IL program provides reimbursement for mileage, per diem, and lodging to specified IL activities and events for OKDHS and tribal CW staff and placement providers.

INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-6-115.1

ITS only revised 5-11-06

1. Community contracted services.

(1) Enrollment. To access community contracted services, the Child Welfare (CW) worker enrolls the eligible youth, upon reaching age 16, with the contracted provider utilizing Form DCFS-88 (new form number 04IL004E), Independent Living Community Contracted Services Enrollment.

(2) Resource materials. Resource materials, available through the respective area Independent Living (IL) specialist or National Resource Center for Youth Services (NRCYS), 918-660-3700, that assist the youth are:

(A) FYI3 binder for the youth's bookkeeping and finances, family history, photographs, and important documents and receipts;

(B) A Future Near Me workbook that contains 100 questions to guide a youth toward self-sufficiency;

(C) The Path Before Me workbook written for Native American youth; and

(D) luggage, one piece per eligible youth.

(3) IL opportunities.

(A) Teen conferences provide learning through specialized skills workshops and recreational activities. The CW worker enrolls the eligible youth via KIDS Training screens and supervises the youth. The youth to staff ratio is no more than three to one. The ratio of youth in Office of Juvenile Affairs (OJA) custody to staff is one to one and the OJA worker is required to share the same room with the youth in order to ensure supervision at all times.

(B) National Teen Conference - Destination Future is a national leadership conference sponsored by NRCYS. The CW worker assists the youth in completing and submitting the application to Children and Family Services Division IL Section. The selection of youth is based upon the youth's participation in IL services and community involvement. The CW worker accompanies the youth to the conference.

(C) Fun Fest introduces youth to state vocational and technical schools, community colleges and universities, branches of the military, job corps, police, fire, and emergency personnel, and community business partners. The CW worker enrolls the eligible youth via the area IL specialist or NRCYS and supervises the youth. The youth to staff ratio is no more than three to one.

(D) IL seminars are held in various communities throughout Oklahoma and provide training to the youth on important life skills. The CW worker enrolls the eligible youth via the area IL specialist or NRCYS and accompanies the youth or obtains alternate supervision through the placement provider.

(4) Technical assistance. The IL community contractor consults with CW workers on:

(A) developing and training local community IL advisory boards;

(B) utilizing training resource materials;

(C) keeping CW staff apprised of new resources;

(D) providing assistance in implementation of IL programs that may include site visits and phone consultation; and

(E) developing collaborative efforts between Oklahoma Department of Human Services and community‑based resources.

(5) Area IL specialists. IL specialists in each Field Operations Division service area assist CW and tribal staff by:

(A) ensuring eligible youth receive an IL assessment;

(B) recommending elements to include in the youth's individual IL case plan;

(C) referring eligible youth for services with Social Security Administration, IL community contractors, and Developmental Disabilities Services Division;

(D) reviewing and updating IL data on KIDS;

(E) facilitating life skills groups;

(F) attending permanency planning reviews for IL eligible youth;

(G) providing IL resources;

(H) training CW staff on availability of IL services;

(I) facilitating area wide youth services;

(J) assisting each area with IL activities and events;

(K) maintaining a list of area IL resources;

(L) processing requests for youth development funds; and

(M) ensuring youth complete paperwork necessary to enter post‑secondary education.

<< Back

Next >>