10000 Services to Older Youth in Care
10100 Overview of Transitional Living Services
10110 Goals and Objectives
CPS October 2017
The objective of the Transitional Living Services program is to provide a systemic and integrated approach in transition planning, services, and benefits that affect both older youth in foster care and those who have aged out of foster care.
Services include:
• independent Life Skills training and case management services;
• Medicaid coverage until age 26;
• higher education benefits; and
• programs to extend foster care or for youth to return to foster care.
See 6252 Permanency Planning Meetings for Youth 14 and Older.
See also the Transitional Living Services website.
10120 Transition Planning for Older Youth
CPS October 2017
The caseworker must ensure that transition planning services are offered to all youth age 14 and older. The caseworker must develop a transition plan for all youth age 14 and over and review the plan according to the time frames described in 6252.1 Reviewing and Documenting a Youth’s Plans for Transitioning to Successful Adulthood.
10130 Transition Centers for Youth
CPS October 2017
Caseworkers may refer youth to transition centers as needed. Transition centers provide comprehensive services for foster youth that includes access and referrals to community partners and resources. Services may include employment assistance, training, educational support, and various transitional living services geared specifically to meet the individual needs of current and former foster youth age 15 to 25. Transition centers are individually operated and supported by partnerships with DFPS and the Texas Workforce Commission.
See the DFPS website for locations and contact information for transition centers.
In the Transitional Living Services Resource Guide see Transition Centers for Youth.
10140 Overview of Healthcare Coverage for Youth and Young Adults Who Age Out of Foster Care
CPS October 2017
Texas is required to provide Medicaid coverage to youth and young adults under age 26 who were in foster care and were receiving Medicaid when they aged out of foster care.
42 U.S.C. §1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX)
10141 The Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) Program
CPS October 2017
The Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program provides healthcare coverage for young adults age 18 through age 25 who were in Texas foster care on their 18th birthday or older and have since aged out of foster care.
In the Transitional Living Services Resource Guide see The Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) Program for information about eligibility, applying for FFCC and additional support.
10142 The Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) Program
CPS October 2017
If a young adult who is age 18 through 20 was in DFPS foster care but is not eligible for the Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) program, he or she may be eligible to receive healthcare through the Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) program.
Texas Human Resource Code §32.0247
In the Transitional Living Services Resource Guide see The Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) Program for information about eligibility, applying for MTFCY and additional support.
10143 Informing Youth and Young Adults About the FFCC and MTFCY Healthcare Programs
CPS October 2017
Caseworkers, Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff, and youth specialists must provide the youth or young adult with information about the Former Foster Care Children (FFCC) and Medicaid for Transitioning Foster Care Youth (MTFCY) healthcare programs:
• during meetings related to Circles of Support;
• during meetings on transition planning;
• during PAL Life Skills training sessions;
• during Aging Out Seminars; and
• upon request.
Caseworkers, Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) staff, and youth specialists must provide information about the FFCC and MTFCY healthcare programs to:
• youth who were in DFPS foster care (if DFPS has contact information on them);
• young adults who are in extended foster care;
• transition centers (see 10130 Transition Centers for Youth);
• community partners;
• caring adults; and
• contractors who provide PAL services.
10150 Victims of Trafficking
CPS October 2017
If any CPS staff has reason to believe that a youth or young adult has been or is at risk of being a victim of trafficking, staff must interview the youth or young adult to determine if he or she is a victim of trafficking.
If any CPS staff identifies that a youth or young adult is a victim of trafficking, staff must report to law enforcement immediately or no later than 24 hours after the identification. When a youth or young adult has been identified as being a victim of trafficking or is at risk of becoming a victim of trafficking, staff must assess the community resources available to help the youth or young adult.
Refer to the DFPS Human Trafficking Resources website.