1. A. The DCFS will continue to provide foster care services to young adults age 18 to 21 who are completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential, enrolled in institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education, participating in a program or activity designed to promote employment or remove barriers to employment, employed at least eighty hours per month, or is incapable of doing any part of the activities in the aforementioned due to a medical condition in accordance with R.S. 46:288.1, et seq. They shall be eligible for foster care services until their twenty-first birthday as long as the youth is willing and continues to meet the above stated eligibility criteria. The youth initiates extended foster care services through signing a voluntary placement agreement. The young adult in foster care shall be eligible for all foster care services in accordance with their voluntary placement agreement and case plan; and, their foster parents, custodian or other placement provider continued services and benefits for the period of time the young adult is eligible and participating in the extended foster care program.
2. B. The DCFS will notify all foster children and their foster parents/custodians/placement provider in writing of the availability of extended foster care services; eligibility for the services; and, the benefits at the foster child’s seventeenth birthday. The written notifications will continue every 90 days unless the foster child and foster parents/custodian/placement provider consent to participate in extended foster care, or the child becomes ineligible for participation in the program.

Authority Note

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with Act 400 of the 2019 Regular Session and R.S. 46:288.1, et seq.

Historical Note

HISTORICAL NOTE: Promulgated by the Department of Children and Family Services, Child Welfare, LR 45:508 (April 2019), effective May 1, 2019, amended LR 47:36 (January 2021), effective February 1, 2021.