MO :: Section 4, Chapter 9 (Adoption And Guardianship Process), Subsection 6 – Subsidizing An Adoption/Legal Guardianship :: 9.6.5.4 – Transitional Living Group Home Services (TLGH)

The Transitional Living Program (TLP) is designed to support youth, with a goal of APPLA, as they successfully transition to independent living. The TLP is not a treatment program but is for the purpose of preparing youth to live independently in their community. It is not for youth who need community adult services to manage their day to day life. Youth under the age of 18, which represent the adoption subsidy population, are only eligible for the Transitional Living Group Home services. As these placements have been youth in the custody of the Children’s Division, consideration must be given to place a non-custodial youth with a custodial youth. If a youth is a danger to other children in the adoptive home such as a current offender, Transitional Living may not be a “fit” for the adoption subsidy youth as our role of custodian is to ensure safety of the youth in the TLP. Prior to a referral being made, all options must be explored and documented in the case record. Individual assessment and consideration must occur for youth who receive adoption subsidy to enter into a TLG to ensure the youth is not being set up for exit to homelessness as the youth must exit the program at age 18 in most cases. If the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s) is unwilling to be a part of this process and has no desire for the youth to be returned to their home, the TLP may not be authorized through subsidy. If accepted, the family shall develop a plan for successful reintegration back into the home of the adoptive parent(s) or guardian(s).

Steps to Be Taken:

The family will contact the Adoption Specialist for out of home placement consideration for youth 16 and older.
The Adoption Specialist will begin discussions with the Older Youth Transition Specialist (OYTS) as to feasibility of TLP as an option.
All resources will be explored and exhausted. The Transitional Living Program will be a last option.
A referral will be made to the OYTS via email or fax. Contact information for the OYTS may be found here: https://dss.mo.gov/cd/older-youth-program/files/map-older-youth-transition-specialist.pdf
The referral shall include the following documents provided by the Adoptive Parent:
- Youth’s Statement of Understanding of TLP
- Parent’s Statement of Understanding of TLP, Involvement, and Plan for Youth to Return Home
- Most Recent Psychological Evaluation – If Applicable
- Criminal History – If Applicable
- Current School Report
- Current IEP – If Applicable
- Medical History
- Immunization Records
- Copy of Birth Certificate
- Social Security Card
- Completed CS-9, including section E
- Completed Adolescent FST Guide (CD94)
- Completed Individualized Action Plan Goals (CD94)
- Copy of Approved Subsidy Agreement or e-mail from Adoption Subsidy Program Specialist indicating approval to explore TLP placement.
The OYTS will determine if there is space and compatibility for the youth to be placed in the TLP. As TLP is a contractual program in which all referrals must come from the OYTS and the service provision is for youth in care, if there is not space or a safety concern for an adoption subsidy youth to be around other youth exists, the referral will be denied by the OYTS.
If the youth is accepted into the program, a Family Centered Service case will be opened to assist the youth and family towards reunification and preparation of a successful exit plan for transition from TLP. It is expected that the family would visit the youth and be fully engaged in transition planning at placement and throughout the time the youth is it the program.
The Adoption Specialist will continue communication with the OYTS throughout the placement of the youth in the TLP.