In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated. Terms Defined. “Administration” means the Social Services Administration. “Agency” means an organization licensed to provide transitional services to youth. “Benchmark” means specific strategies and actions that focus on preparing youth for independence. “Case manager” means the individual or agent of a local department or provider agency responsible for: Assisting in implementing the permanency plan; and Ensuring the provision of needed services to the youth. “Case plan” means a written description of the youth's needs and services to be provided to meet those needs as outlined in COMAR 07.02.11. “Department” means the Department of Human Services. “Flexible funds” means transitional youth funds available to local departments for the purchase of goods and services necessary to support the objectives of the case plan when no other resource is available. “Foster care” means continuous 24-hour care and supportive services provided for a minor child placed by a child placement agency in an approved family home. “Independent living aftercare” means services provided to a former foster care youth who was in out-of-home placement on their 18th birthday but has not attained the age of 21 or who after attaining 16 years of age, left foster care for kinship guardianship or adoption. “Local department” means the local department of social services in a county or Baltimore City and the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services. “Local department independent living coordinator” means the staff person within a local department responsible for coordination of independent living activities for youth within that jurisdiction. “Mentor” means an adult approved by the State or local government who has volunteered to act as a role model and provide positive guidance and support to youth in out-of-home placement. “Permanency plan” means a plan specifying: Where the youth shall live; With whom the youth shall live; and The proposed legal relationship between the youth and the permanent caretaker or caretakers. “Provider agency” means a licensed child placement agency. “Room and board” means a shared or independent living arrangement that includes food and shelter. “Semi-independent living” means a subsidized living arrangement for youth 16 to 21 years old receiving youth transitional services. “Semi-independent living arrangement” means an apartment, boarder arrangement, or other living arrangement approved by the local department, except that a local department may not approve an arrangement for housing in a transient or emergency-type facility, such as a rescue mission, nonresidential hotel, motel, adult shelter, or tourist home. “Service agreement” means a written plan that specifies: The youth transitional service goals for the youth; Tasks required to meet the needs of the youth; Those individuals responsible for completion of the tasks; The time frame for completion of the tasks; and Consent of all parties to the service agreement. “State Independent Living Coordinator” means the individual who administers the Statewide services. “Strengths and needs assessment” means a written assessment identifying the youth's: Strengths; Weaknesses; Living skills; Employability; and Education level. “Successful adulthood” means when a youth exits the foster care system with the transitional skills to become self-sufficient as age and developmentally appropriate for the individual youth. “Youth advisory board” means a group of foster youth who provide input in the planning, design, and implementation of youth transitional activities and services. “Youth Transitional Services" means providing services and supervision to prepare youth for self-sufficiency after discharge from out-of-home placement.