F O R Y O U R I N F O R M A T I O N
CONTINUATION OF AFDC-FC FOR YOUTH OVER 18 YEARS OF AGE
This is to advise staff that Procedural Guide 0100-525.52, Voluntary Placement, is in the process of being revised to remove reference to youth over 18 years of age. When requesting the extension of foster care for youth over 18 years of age the SOC 155B, Mutual Agreement for 18 Year Olds, is to be used not the SOC 155, Voluntary Placement Agreement-Parent/Agency. The SOC 155B is available on LA Kids and a copy is attached. A new Procedural Guide to address continuation of AFDC-FC for youth over 18 years of age is under development and this FYI provides interim policy.WIC 11403 and CDSS MPP Division 45-201.111, 202.41 and 202.61 provide that a youth who is in foster care, is receiving AFDC-FC and who is attending high school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training on a full-time basis prior to his or her 18th birthday, may continue to receive AFDC-FC following his or her 18th birthday so long as the youth continues to reside in foster care placement, remains otherwise eligible for AFDC-FC payments, and continues to attend high school or the equivalent level of vocational or technical training on a full-time basis and the youth may reasonably be expected to complete the educational or training program before his or her 19th birthday. AFDC-FC will continue provided both the youth and DCFS have signed the SOC 155B.
CDSS MPP Division 45-201.111 requires that the youth attend on a full-time basis either a high school or, if (s)he has not completed high school, a vocational-technical training program which cannot result in a college degree as specified in Section 42-101.2 provided (s)he is reasonably expected to complete either program before reaching age 19. Full-time attendance must be defined and verified by the youth's school.
The youth and DCFS must sign the SOC 155B documenting the continued need for foster care placement. The SOC 155B shall be signed prior to or within the month the youth reaches age 18. A SOC 155B shall not be required if the placement is due to a court order which remains in effect or if the youth is not capable of making an informed agreement. If the court order is dismissed subsequent to the month in which the youth reaches age 18, a SOC 155B must be executed within the month the dismissal occurs.
The income maintenance case record shall contain a statement from the placement worker, on the FC 2, which certifies that the SOC 155B or the court order is in the services case record or that the youth is not capable of making an informed agreement. This certification shall occur prior to or within the month the youth reaches age 18 and at redetermination of the youth's AFDC-FC eligibility.
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