Section 465IAC2-15-15. Services provided to approved applicants

   (a) Upon final approval of an application for OYFC services and entry of a court order approving a petition filed under section 11(b) of this rule, the department will provide the services to or for the benefit of the older youth as described in this section.

  (b) The department will arrange for:

(1) appropriate foster care for the youth during the term of the agreement described in this section; or

(2) continuation of the youth's current placement following closure of the juvenile court case, if the placement meets the conditions stated in subsection (c).

  (c) A placement under subsection (b) must be:

(1) currently meeting, and expected to continue to meet during the term of the agreement, the needs of the older youth for an appropriate home of residence while the youth is preparing for self support; and

(2) agreeable to both the older youth and the adult residents of the home in which the youth is placed, as evidenced by a signed placement agreement in the form prescribed by the department.

  (d) The department and the older youth will jointly prepare a transitional services plan for the youth, as described in 465 IAC 2-14-8, in accordance with all applicable procedures described in 465 IAC 2-14, within sixty (60) days after a placement of the youth under subsection (b). The parties to the transitional services plan agreement will implement all provisions of the plan during the term of the placement agreement under this section.

  (e) During the term of the placement agreement, the department will make payment to the appropriate foster parent, on behalf of the older youth placed in foster care under this section, in an amount equal to the daily rate payable by the department for regular foster care for purposes of an out-of-home placement of a child over sixteen (16) years of age in a child in need of services case under IC 31-34.

  (f) The department will select and designate an assigned monitor for the older youth, who will do the following:

(1) Monitor on a continuing basis the progress being made in implementing the transitional services plan prepared and approved under subsection (d).

(2) Meet in person with the older youth from time to time as needed, at least once in each period of six (6) months while the placement agreement is in effect, to discuss implementation of the plan and agreement terms, and any other issues or concerns that the youth may have.

(3) Submit to the department local office for the county in which the placement home is located, at least every six (6) months during the term of the placement agreement, a written status report regarding implementation of the placement and transitional services plan agreements, including, but not limited to, the following:

(A) A summary of matters discussed at meetings under subdivision (2).

(B) A copy of any monthly reports received from the youth under section 17(b) of this rule.

(C) A summary of efforts made, as provided in section 17(c) of this rule, to locate new employment for the youth following an involuntary layoff.

  (g) The department and the older youth will sign a placement agreement, in a form approved by the department. The agreement will include the following:

(1) The placement conditions.

(2) The term during which the agreement will be effective.

(3) An outline of the services to be provided.

(4) The time each status report will be due as provided in subsection (f)(3).

(5) The times and circumstances for the youth to submit any report to the assigned monitor that may be required under section 17(b)(2) or 17(d)(3) of this rule.

(6) The grounds for termination of the agreement as provided in section 18 of this rule.

  (h) If the department has approved eligibility of the youth for OYFC services based on part-time employment, as provided in section 8(a)(1)(B) of this rule, the placement agreement will include a provision requiring the youth to make reasonable efforts, on a continuing basis, to obtain full-time employment, by utilizing the assistance of available public or private employment agencies and by contacting referrals to possible employment opportunities made by the assigned monitor or other representative of the department.

  (i) The placement agreement may be amended from time to time during its term, as necessary or appropriate in the circumstances, by written agreement between the older youth and the department. Any amendment shall be submitted to the department permanency manager or designee for approval before its signature. An amendment shall not extend the expiration date of the term of the agreement to a time later than the date the older youth will become twenty-one (21) years of age.

  (j) The placement agreement and any amendment will be approved by the foster parent or parents to whom the department issued the license for the home in which the older youth resides or will reside, as evidenced by the signature of the foster parent or parents on the agreement. If the foster family home is managed or supervised by a licensed child placing agency under IC 31-27-6, the department will mail a copy of the signed agreement to the supervising child placing agency. (Department of Child Services; 465 IAC 2-15-15; filed Dec 10, 2010, 10:25 a.m.: 20110105-IR-465090168FRA)