The goal of an exit plan is to identify and arrange anticipated services for older youth who are in the process of transitioning out of foster care. Youth who have a comprehensive transition plan are better equipped to transition successfully from foster care to self-sufficiency.  An unintended consequence of not preparing youth to exit from foster care is the youth becoming homeless.  Exit planning is the result of preparation for transition from foster care and although certain steps are taken at “exit” the planning begins at age 14.  Exit planning and transition planning should be viewed as occurring concurrently and interchangeably.

Exit planning should be viewed as a collaborative effort between the youth, staff and Family Support Team (FST) members to ensure needed services are in place or the youth is aware of how to access services in their community prior to release.

Transition planning should be a purposeful, organized and outcome-oriented process designed to ensure the youth’s quality of life.  Transition and exit planning should be considered a continuum once the youth is eligible for the Older Youth Program.

The Council on Accreditation standards requires agencies to provide youth transitioning to independence with at least six months advance notice of the cessation of any health, financial, or other benefits which will occur at transition/case closing.

Transition to adulthood can involve complex issues and create anxiety for the youth. To assist with the process, youth involvement in their plan as well as recognizing the youth’s desire to have personal independence and find their own way is essential.  Involving the youth’s other connections and community partners in the process to ensure services are accessible, coordinated and appropriate are also necessary.

In order to prepare youth for their exit from the foster care system, the child’s Children’s Service Worker must plan to meet with the youth to complete exit planning ninety days prior to release from custody. The child’s Children’s Service Worker is responsible for meeting with their youth to complete the exit plan interview. The Adolescent Family Support Team Guide (CD94) and Individualized Action Plan Goals (CD94) should be updated to reflect the youth’s plan for successful transition from foster care.

Consideration and planning must be conducted for youth who will continue to need supported care after transition to adulthood. The least restrictive environment which will meet the youth’s physical and mental health needs should be considered by the Family Support Team.  For youth with special needs, coordination should occur at least one year in advance with the Department of Mental Health, Division of Developmental Disabilities, Vocational Rehabilitation, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and other state and local resource providers if the youth is currently receiving services or involvement is necessary.  Some youth may require continued formalized support in the form of guardianship or conservatorship.  In these instances, it is very important to begin transition planning with the Division of Legal Services at least one year in advance to assure the youth will have a plan and funding in place for those supports and services needed.

Considerations:

The planning process must consider and address all of the following factors:

• Source of income
• Educational needs
• Vocational needs
• Financial needs, including eligibility for income maintenance programs, credit status needs
• Legal status needs, including whether a guardianship, conservatorship or other legal custody order is necessary or appropriate
• Transportation
• Peer support
• Caring adult/mentor
• Family information and involvement
• Residence
• Safety concerns
• Physical health needs
• Mental health needs
• Insurance coverage needs (health and automobile as appropriate)

For youth with special needs who will require funding upon release:

• Ensure an application is made for the youth’s Medicaid to be transferred to the Family Support Division.
• Kids Account income: The Children’s Service Worker should check the KIDS/Dedicated KIDS Account screen in FACES or contact FACES Payment Unit to determine the savings limit due to the youth (up to $999.00). Once an amount is determined, the Children’s Service Worker should complete a CS-KIDS-2 form for the person (payee) to whom money is to be released from the child’s KIDS account.  This person(s) may be the child’s parent, guardian, adoptive parent or him/herself, if an emancipated minor. 
• Ensure youth is provided and assisted with Older Youth Change of Payee Request Form if the youth is receiving Social Security benefits.

For additional information, refer to the Child’s Income Disbursement System (KIDS) section in the CWM. The Older Youth Exit Packet and Personal Documentation Checklist is available in e-forms for additional guidance.

Upon leaving care, a letter signed by the child’s Children’s Service Worker shall be provided to the youth on state letterhead verifying the youth’s time in care and exit date. This will aid youth in receiving assistance after leaving care within the state and out of state for services which require eligibility verification.

A summary of the youth’s plans should be filed in the Older Youth Program Section of the case record as well as a copy of the eligibility verification letter. As staff work with youth who are nearing, or past, their 18th birthday and opting to exit from custody, it is imperative these youth are made aware of resources available to them upon release. The child’s Children’s Service Worker shall inform these youth of their eligibility for MO HealthNet, and, if possible, determine the address where the youth will reside upon leaving care.

Each county must designate a liaison/contact person(s) for those youth who have exited care to contact. An Exit Packet is to be provided to those youth currently in care as they exit the foster care system, or to former foster care youth requesting Aftercare services. 

The Exit Packet includes information regarding:

• MO HealthNet
• Chafee Aftercare
• Education and Training Voucher (ETV)
• Missouri Reach Tuition Waiver and Credential Completion and Employment Programs
• Healthcare Treatment Decisions
• The National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)
• Re-entry
• Older Youth Change of Payee Request Form if the youth is receiving Social Security benefits.

Each county should also include additional resources pertinent to their own geographic areas into the packet. Resources may include, but should not be limited to the following:

• Employment Agencies;
• Service/Volunteer Organizations for Mentoring;
• Faith-Based Resources;
• Clothing Resources;
• One-Stop Centers;
• Transportation Resources;
• Child Care Resources;
• Emergency Housing Assistance;
• Food Pantries;
• Community Action Agencies;
• Adult Education Programs;
• Income Maintenance Programs/Resources;
• Medical Clinics; and
• Other State Agencies.

Former foster care youth will be required to enroll into a MO HealthNet Managed Care plan for their physical healthcare, if they reside in a geographic area covered by Managed Care. Their behavioral healthcare will be provided on a fee-for-service basis.

Further Considerations

Some documents are useful as youth develop life skills to prepare them for successful transition and should be obtained as needed and appropriate for the youth’s age and placement type prior to release from care.  Youth should have the following documents in their possession (with a copy in the file) as they prepare to transition from care:

• Original Birth Certificate
• Original Social Security Card
• An up-to-date credit report
• Financial statements from financial institutions in which youth has an account
• Driver’s license or ID Card
• Information regarding any policies of insurance the youth may have access to
• An accounting showing disposition of all monies received and distributed under the youth’s KIDS account
• Portfolio and Lifebook
• Documentation of tribal eligibility or membership
• Previous placement information
• Medical Records (e.g. immunizations, current medications)
• Educational Records (e.g. diplomas, report cards, IEP, list of schools attended)
• Original documentation of immigration, citizenship, or naturalization, when applicable
• Death certificates when parents are deceased
• Religious documents and information
• A list of known relatives, with relationships, addresses, telephone numbers, and permissions for contacting involved parties
• A resume, when work experience can be described
• CD-276, Custody Verification Letter

Documentation of receipt of exit packet and personal documents shall occur on the Older Youth Exit Packet and Personal Documentation Checklist.

Related Practice Alerts and Memos:

2-10-20 – CD20-11 – Independent Living Arrangements

5-28-20 – CD20-17 – Housing Services and Coordinated Entry System