1. (a) Independent living program definition. An independent living program provides living environments for youth 16 years of age up to 18 years of age, preparing the youth to live independently. Independent living programs are a service provided by a licensed child-placing agency (agency).
2. (b) Policy. The agency maintains a written policy regarding:
3. (1) placement philosophy;
4. (2) placement selection criteria;
5. (3) independent living placement assessment for continued appropriateness;
6. (4) available programs and services;
7. (5) description of living environments provided;
8. (6) grievances and youth rights;
9. (7) youth supervision;
10. (8) behavior management;
11. (9) youth and adult supervision plan when using any shared physical program space; and
12. (10) crisis response procedure, ensuring youth have 24-hour access to agency personnel.
13. (c) Agency responsibilities. Agency responsibilities include:
14. (1) evaluating each youth's ability to assume responsibility and achieve independence within a specified time frame;
15. (2) obtaining written placement approval from the:
16. (A) parents or legal guardian; or
17. (B) court, when applicable; and
18. (3) providing to each youth:
19. (A) grievance information; and
20. (B) youth's rights; and
21. (4) reviewing the service agreement every three months and revising when necessary;
22. (5) maintaining physical environment safety;
23. (6) developing a monthly budget and reviewing monthly with the youth. After six months, when the youth demonstrates ability to maintain the budget, reviews may occur less frequently;
24. (7) providing two monthly face-to-face contacts for youth counseling and support, including at least one monthly contact at the youth's residence; and
25. (8) releasing discharged youth prior to the age of 18 to parents or legal guardians, with court notification when appropriate.
26. (d) Youth training and life skills assessment. Prior to youth's placement, appropriate training and a life-skills assessment are required and documented. The assessment identifies potential risk areas associated with independent community life and includes:
27. (1) money management and consumer awareness;
28. (2) grocery shopping and meal planning;
29. (3) personal appearance and hygiene;
30. (4) health services;
31. (5) housekeeping skills;
32. (6) transportation skills and concerns;
33. (7) future housing pursuit;
34. (8) educational planning, when appropriate;
35. (9) vocational training;
36. (10) employment attainment skills;
37. (11) community involvement and available resources; and
38. (12) knowledge of legal rights.
39. (13) emergency awareness and preparedness;
40. (14) drug and alcohol use;
41. (15) matters of a sexual nature; and
42. (16) interpersonal skills.
43. (e) Service agreement Prior to youth's placement, a written service agreement is completed.
44. (1) A service agreement includes:
45. (A) agency, youth, and other involved parties' respective roles and responsibilities;
46. (B) agency-provided or arranged goals and services, including youth and agency personnel contact;
47. (C) any financial arrangements regarding placement; and
48. (D) youth and agency representative signatures.
49. (2) When a youth reaches 18 years of age, agency services may continue through service agreement conclusion.
50. (f) Emergency procedures. Within one week of a youth's placement, the agency documents emergency procedure training was provided. Training includes:
51. (1) emergency equipment use, such as fire extinguishers and smoke detectors;
52. (2) an evacuation plan;
53. (3) police, fire, and other emergency service contacts;
54. (4) fire and accident prevention; and
55. (5) tornados and natural disaster response.
56. (g) Supervision and support. The staff to youth ratio is based upon youth's supervision needs and location.
57. (1) The agency ensures agency personnel and youth contact, per the youth's service agreement or plan.
58. (2) Daily contact occurs with youth.
59. (3) During routine residence visits, the agency documents:
60. (A) observations do not indicate concerns regarding youth's health and safety or environmental hazards;
61. (B) the youth is receiving necessary medical care; and
62. (C) the current program plan provides appropriate and sufficient services.
63. (h) Direct care personnel requirements. Agency personnel providing direct care for youth in independent living programs:
64. (1) are at least 21 years of age and have a high school diploma or General Education Development (GED);
65. (2) receive agency-provided training regarding:
66. (A) agency policy;
67. (B) confidentiality;
68. (C) mandatory child abuse and neglect reporting;
69. (D) grievance process;
70. (E) emergency medical procedures;
71. (F) fire and disaster plans; and
72. (G) application of reasonable and prudent parent standards; and
73. (3) obtain and maintain current age-appropriate first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation documentation prior to direct care of youth;
74. (4) obtain and maintain current certification in Oklahoma Human Services approved behavioral intervention techniques prior to direct care of youth; and
75. (5) comply with discipline and behavior management policy; and
76. (6) do not use prohibited punishments, such as:
77. (A) acts of physical nature;
78. (B) emotional abuse;
79. (C) exploitation of a sexual nature;
80. (D) youth disciplining other youth;
81. (E) denying meals, sleep, or mail; and
82. (F) placing a youth in a locked room.
83. (i) Participation conclusion. Independent living program participation concludes when youth:
84. (1) achieve independence where financial support and social services are no longer needed;
85. (2) voluntarily decide to no longer participate in the program;
86. (3) demonstrate unwillingness or inability to meet requirements and agreement terms; or
87. (4) reach service plan completion.

Amended at 15 Ok Reg 764, eff 11-10-97 (emergency)

Amended at 15 Ok Reg 1727, eff 5-11-98

Amended at 23 Ok Reg 1092, eff 6-1-06

Amended at 42 Ok Reg, Number 20, effective 11-1-25

Amended at 42 Ok Reg, Number 20, effective 11-1-25