Extended Foster Care in Arizona

Pursuant to regulation, a youth who was in care at age 18 may remain in care until age 21 if the youth requests out-of-home care; is referred by his Child Safety Worker, other Department staff, or a tribal social services representative; is an Arizona resident; participates in developing an individual case plan agreement for out-of-home care; and demonstrates acceptance of personal responsibility by active participation in one of the following activities: (a) completion a secondary education program or a program leading to an equivalent credential; (b) enrollment in an institution which provides postsecondary or vocational education; (c) participation in a program or activity designed to promote or remove barriers to employment; (d) employment of at least 80 hours per month; or (e) inability to participate in activities (a)-(d) due to “behavioral health or medical condition, or other personal crisis or life event, such as pregnancy, birth, necessary maternity leave as determined by a medical professional, adoption, or guardianship of a child.” Ariz. Admin. Code R21-5-205. 

Eligibility for Justice-Involved Youth

"[Y]outh who are dually adjudicated (dependent and delinquent) and released from a secure setting prior to or on their 18th birthday," are eligible to remain in continued out-of-home-care under the superivison of the Department if they are otherwise eligible for extended care. Ariz. Dep't of Child Safety, Policy and Procedure Manual, Program Policy § 5.36 (2012).

Case Management Requirements

The DCS Specialist is responsible for:

• working cooperatively with the young adult and providing the young adult and caregiver with information on any services, support and other opportunities which will support the young adult’s desired living arrangement, education, training, employment and counseling needs;
• facilitating the development of an agreement for continued care (case plan) which reflects the young adult’s personal goals and clearly documents those services and supports necessary to assist the young adult to achieve positive outcomes including permanent connections with supportive adults;
• ensuring all authorizations for payment of the cost of care and other services are in place prior to the young adults 18th birthday;
• ensuring the young adult has an original birth certificate, social security card, and state identification card; and,
• providing the young adult with adequate family history, including medical history information, including any photos, letters or other family history available in the case record. If the DCS Specialist believes a portion of the information may be harmful to the young adult, therapeutic intervention/assistance will be requested, as appropriate to meet each young adult’s needs.

 
Prior to the youth’s 18th birthday:

• Assist the youth to pre-enroll in an AHCCCS program through completion of the Young Adult Transitional Insurance (YATI) Referral, FAA-1097A and submit to FAA Internal Operations at Site Code 759C for processing the month of the youth's 18th birthday.
• Involve the youth and out-of-home care provider in a discussion about the possibility of continued care. Identify any issues or concerns (related to program compliance) which must be remedied in order for the youth to continue in care past the age of 18, including any contract, licensing, certification or other issues related to the current or proposed living arrangement.
• For youth continuing in care past 18, submit a memo to CMDP to continue health insurance coverage beyond the youth’s 18th birthday if the youth is residing out-of-state, does not meet the basic eligibility requirements under Medicaid (including legal resident status) or there is some extenuating circumstance why CMDP services continue to be necessary (i.e., orthodontia treatment is incomplete).

Ariz. Dep't of Child Safety, Policy and Procedure Manual, Program Policy § 5.36 (2012).

"The foster youth, Child Safety Worker, and involved service team members shall develop the individual case plan for out-of-home care:

1. Within the 90-day period prior to the foster youth's 18th birthday for foster youth continuing in out-of-home care past 18 years of age;
2. Within ten work days for foster youth who enter out-of-home care during the 90-day period prior to the foster youth's 18th birthday; and
3. For eligible youth re-entering foster care at 18 years of age or older, within seven work days of the eligible youth's return to Department care and supervision."

Ariz. Admin. Code R21-5-205(B).

"The Child Safety Worker shall support the foster youth to address any documented condition, crisis, or life event . . . by:

1. Facilitating a youth led discussion that includes a review of the supports and services available as intervention strategies, to assist in resolving the condition, crisis, or concern;
2. Documenting the foster youth's preferred intervention strategy for addressing the condition, crisis, or concern; and
3. Expeditiously providing or otherwise arranging the preferred intervention strategy."

Ariz. Admin. Code R21-5-205(E).

Eligibility & Procedure

“The Department will provide young adults who exited foster care at age 18 or older the opportunity to re-enter services under the supervision of the Department of Child Safety at any time until the young adult reaches age 21.” Ariz. Dep’t of Child Safety, Policy & Procedure Manual, Program Policy § 5.38 (2012).

To re-enter foster care, youth must be actively participating in the Transitional Independent Living Program. When the youth has completed two consecutive months of active participation in the services, staff will provide the youth with the Re-Entering Foster Care After Age 18 pamphlet. Id.

Court Oversight of Extended Care

Court oversight ends at age 18.

Termination of Extended Care

If the Program Manager or designee approves the recommendation for case closure, the young adult will be notified by phone and in writing via the Notice of Services Denial or Termination, CSO-1304A. If the young adult agrees with termination of foster care services, the DCS Specialist will proceed with case closure. The DCS Specialist shall contact the youth in person to:

• Review the discharge plan with the youth and refer the youth to available aftercare services.
• Provide the youth with their original birth certificate, state identification card, Annual Credit Report and social security card.
• Follow up by sending a closure letter to the youth confirming the date of closure, right to appeal and statement of aftercare services available through the Transitional Independent Living (including the opportunity to re-enter DCS supervised services) and Young Adult Transitional Insurance program as well as other resources available in their community.

If the young adult does not agree with termination of services, the Program Manager or designee shall advise the youth and their caregiver, and community adviser or advocate, of the youth’s right to file an appeal/ grievance of the termination of services and provide the Independent Living Program/Transitional Independent Living Program - Youth/Young Adult Grievance, CSO, 1304B.

All services including out-of-home care will remain intact until such time that the complaint/ grievance process is complete.

Ariz. Dep't of Child Safety, Policy and Procedure Manual, Program Policy § 5.36.

Eligibility for Extended Adoption Assistance

Adoption and guardianship assistance payments may continue until age 22 if the child is enrolled in and regularly attending school, unless the child has received a high school diploma or certificate of equivalency. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-144; Ariz. Admin. Code R21-5-511.

Eligibility for Extended Guardianship Assistance

Guardianship assistance payments may continue until age 22 if the child is enrolled in and regularly attending school, unless the child has received a high school diploma or certificate of equivalency. Ariz. Rev. Stat. § 8-814(G)(3).