1. (1) Discharge from the system of care occurs at the point in time when youth are no longer in DHR care, custody/planning responsibility, or supervision, and it also encompasses situations where youth age out of the system of care.

   1. (a) Aging out of the system of care occurs on a youth’s nineteenth (19th) or twenty first (21st) birthday.

      1. 1. All youth, without exception, age out of the System of Care on their twenty first (21st) birthday.
   2. (b) Discharge planning shall begin no later than twelve (12) months prior to the anticipated date that youth will be discharged from the system of care.

   3. (c) All youth shall receive post foster care supervision services for a minimum of six (6) months after the date they move into their anticipated permanent living arrangement.

      1. 1. Post foster care supervision services shall be terminated when discharge from the system of care is appropriate; youth are transitioned to DHR’s Adult Protective Services program; or youth have reached age twenty-one (21).

Author: Jerome Webb

Statutory Authority: R.C. v Fuller, No 88-H-1170-N, Consent Decree (M.D. Ala. Approved December 18, 1991).

History: Proposed permanent rule effective May 9, 2002. Amended: Filed July 8, 2002; effective August 12, 2002.