2015 Nebraska Revised Statutes
Chapter 43 - INFANTS AND JUVENILES
43-1311.03 Written independent living transition proposal; development; contents; transition team; department; duties; information regarding Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act; notice; contents.

43-1311.03. Written independent living transition proposal; development; contents; transition team; department; duties; information regarding Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act; notice; contents.

(1) When a child placed in foster care turns sixteen years of age or enters foster care and is at least sixteen years of age, a written independent living transition proposal shall be developed by the Department of Health and Human Services at the direction and involvement of the child to prepare for the transition from foster care to adulthood. The transition proposal shall be personalized based on the child's needs. The transition proposal shall include, but not be limited to, the following needs:

(a) Education;

(b) Employment services and other workforce support;

(c) Health and health care coverage, including the child's potential eligibility for medicaid coverage under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX), as such act and section existed on January 1, 2013;

(d) Financial assistance, including education on credit card financing, banking, and other services;

(e) Housing;

(f) Relationship development; and

(g) Adult services, if the needs assessment indicates that the child is reasonably likely to need or be eligible for services or other support from the adult services system.

(2) The transition proposal shall be developed and frequently reviewed by the department in collaboration with the child's transition team. The transition team shall be comprised of the child, the child's caseworker, the child's guardian ad litem, individuals selected by the child, and individuals who have knowledge of services available to the child.

(3) The transition proposal shall be considered a working document and shall be, at the least, updated for and reviewed at every permanency or review hearing by the court.

(4) The final transition proposal prior to the child's leaving foster care shall specifically identify how the need for housing will be addressed.

(5) If the child is interested in pursuing higher education, the transition proposal shall provide for the process in applying for any applicable state, federal, or private aid.

(6) A child adjudicated to be a juvenile described in subdivision (3)(a) of section 43-247 and who is in an out-of-home placement shall receive information regarding the Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act and the bridge to independence program available under the act. The department shall create a clear and developmentally appropriate written notice discussing the rights of eligible young adults to participate in the program. The notice shall include information about eligibility and requirements to participate in the program, the extended services and support that young adults are eligible to receive under the program, and how young adults can be a part of the program. The notice shall also include information about the young adult's right to request a client-directed attorney to represent the young adult pursuant to section 43-4510 and the benefits and role of an attorney. The department shall disseminate this information to all children who were adjudicated to be a juvenile described in subdivision (3)(a) of section 43-247 and who are in an out-of-home placement at sixteen years of age and yearly thereafter until nineteen years of age, and not later than ninety days prior to the child's last court review before attaining nineteen years of age or being discharged from foster care to independent living. In addition to providing the written notice, not later than ninety days prior to the child's last court review before attaining nineteen years of age or being discharged from foster care to independent living, a representative of the department shall explain the information contained in the notice to the child in person and the timeline necessary to avoid a lapse in services and support.

(7) On or before the date the child reaches nineteen years of age, the department shall provide the child with (a) a certified copy of the child's birth certificate and facilitate securing a federal social security card when the child is eligible for such card and (b) all documentation required for enrollment in medicaid coverage for former foster care children as available under the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a)(10)(A)(i)(IX), as such act and section existed on January 1, 2013. All fees associated with securing the certified copy of the child's birth certificate shall be waived by the state.

Source

• Laws 2011, LB177, § 8;
• Laws 2013, LB216, § 17;
• Laws 2013, LB269, § 3;
• Laws 2014, LB853, § 25.

Cross References

• Young Adult Bridge to Independence Act, see section 43-4501.