1. (a) The Family Service Worker will:

   1. (1) Provide written notification to every youth in out-of-home placement sixteen (16) years of age or older, that they may submit a request to the Division of Children and Family Services for permission to apply for an Arkansas learner’s or intermediate driver’s license as appropriate;
   2. (2) Advise the youth and foster parents of criteria to be considered by the division in determining whether to approve a request for an Arkansas learner’s or intermediate driver’s license;
   3. (3) Provide the youth with a copy of CFS-388: Application & Agreement to Participate in DCFS Foster Care Driver’s License Program;

   4. (4) Assist or arrange for the foster parent or other adult approved by the County Supervisor or Area Director to assist the youth in completing and submitting the CFS-388 along with all required documentation which includes:

      1. (A) A written statement addressing placement stability;
      2. (B)

2. (i) The youth’s report card or school transcript showing cumulative and current GPA, or record of regular attendance and satisfactory progress in an adult education program, or documentation of compliance with the individual education plan.

   1. (ii) The youth making the application must obtain the appropriate official document from the appropriate authority;

      1. (C)

         1. (i) Statement of behavior history.
         2. (ii) The FSW must review and write a statement concerning the youth’s behavior over the last six (6) months;

      2. (D)

         1. (i) Proof of participation in Transitional Youth Services (TYS) program.
         2. (ii) The FSW must attach proof of the youth’s enrollment in the TYS program.
         3. (iii) If the youth is not already enrolled, the FSW must enroll the applicant and attach proof of enrollment;

   2. (5) If requested, assist the youth and foster parent in:

      1. (i) Finding a state approved driver’s education program; and

         1. (ii) Arranging division reimbursement funding for any reasonable driver’s education program cost if the location is reasonably accessible by the youth;
   3. (6) Compile the original CFS-388: Application & Agreement to Participate in DCFS Foster Care Driver’s License Program and supporting documents into a packet and document in CHRIS;
   4. (7) Submit the packet to the County Supervisor;

   5. (8)

      1. (A) Ensure the youth is enrolled in the TYS.
      2. (B) If not, the FSW must enroll the youth in TYS;
   6. (9) File a copy of the CFS-388: Application & Agreement to Participate in DCFS Foster Care Driver’s License Program and supporting documents in the foster care record and provide copies to the foster parent and youth;
   7. (10) If approved, assist or arrange for the foster parent to take the youth to an Arkansas revenue office; and
   8. (11) Document in CHRIS.

3. (b) The youth in out-of-home placement will:

   1. (1) Inform the foster parent or FSW that he or she wants to obtain an Arkansas learner’s or intermediate driver’s license;
   2. (2) Meet all division criteria before applying for a learner’s or intermediate driver’s license; and

   3. (3)

      1. (A) Work with the FSW, foster parent, and/or other approved adult to complete and submit the CFS-388 and supporting documents.

      2. (B) It will be the youth’s responsibility to request and obtain the appropriate academic records and documents.

         1. (c) The foster parents will:
   4. (1) Document on the CFS-388: Application & Agreement to Participate in DCFS Foster Care Driver’s License Program if they are willing to support the youth’s application for an Arkansas learner’s or intermediate driver’s license;
   5. (2) Assist the youth in completing and submitting the CFS-388: Application & Agreement to Participate in DCFS Foster Care Driver’s License Program and supporting documents, if needed;
   6. (3) Transport the youth to and from the state-approved driver’s education program as needed; and

   7. (4) Sign any needed documents not signed by the FSW or youth.

      1. (d) The division County Supervisor will:
   8. (1) Review the CFS-388: Application & Agreement to Participate in DCFS Foster Care Driver’s License Program and supporting documents for completeness and prepare the request packet; and
   9. (2) Forward the request packet to the Area Director for review and certification.

4. (e) The division Area Director will:

   1. (1) Review the packet, certify its completeness and accuracy and recommend approval or disapproval;
   2. (2) Document the approval or disapproval in CHRIS; and
   3. (3) Forward the packet to Central Office Vehicle Safety Coordinator.

5. (f) The division Vehicle Safety Coordinator will:

   1. (1) Check the youth’s driving record, if any, and document any traffic violations and/or at- fault accidents; and
   2. (2) Add appropriate documentation to the packet and forward it to the Director of the Division of Children and Family Services or designee for approval or disapproval.

6. (g) The director or designee will:

   1. (1) Review the packet and approve or disapprove the youth’s request; and

   2. (2)

      1. (A) If the youth is approved to obtain a driver’s license, the director or designee will send a notarized letter designating the person authorized to sign the application.
      2. (B) The youth will take the notarized letter to the Arkansas driver’s license office.

Codification Notes: “GPA” means grade point average.