<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 07.02.10.08" title_num="07" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="10" heading="Service Agreement and Transition Plan.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Youth who participate in youth transitional services shall have a service agreement as described in COMAR 07.02.11. The service agreement shall establish:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Youth transitional services goals;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Tasks required to meet the service goals;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Individuals responsible for completion of tasks; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Time frames for completion of tasks.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>For the semi-independent living arrangement, the service agreement shall also include the following:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A plan for financing a semi-independent living arrangement, which specifies:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The local department's contribution as delineated in Regulation .15 of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The youth's contribution as set forth in Regulation .15 of this chapter;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The date by which it is anticipated the youth's income may increase to enable the youth to become financially self-sufficient;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A statement that the youth's subsidy shall be decreased when the youth's income increases;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A statement that the local department shall stop subsidy payments if the youth fails to comply with the service agreement; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>A statement explaining the youth's responsibility to inform the local department within 72 hours of any:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Changes in the youth's situation, including termination, transfer, or resignation of employment;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Termination, resignation, or failure to participate in education or training programs;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Housing relocation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Arrest.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>As appropriate, youth 18 to 21 years old receiving independent living aftercare services shall have a service agreement which supports the following areas, as appropriate:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A plan for making the transition to self-sufficiency, including:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Goals;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Tasks to be completed; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Individuals responsible for completion of tasks;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Education, including post-secondary education;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Employment and vocational training;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Personal and emotional support; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The youth's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and recognize and accept personal responsibility in preparing for and making the transition to adulthood.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Youth Transition Plan.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The caseworker shall prepare a youth for the development of a transition plan 120 days prior to the youth’s 14th birthday.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Once a youth in out-of-home placement reaches the age of 14, the caseworker shall work with the youth to develop an individualized transition plan.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>For youth 14 years and older, the transition plan shall be updated at least every 180 days.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Except as applicable in §D(5) of this regulation, the transition plan shall be finalized 90 days prior to the youth’s 18th birthday.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>For youth 18 to 21 years old, a transition plan shall be updated at least every 180 days, and shall be finalized 90 days prior to the youth attaining the age of 21 or exiting care.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>The youth transition plan shall be:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Personalized at the direction of the youth; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Detailed with regard to choices and options in:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Housing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Health insurance;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Education;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Opportunities for mentors and support services;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Employment; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Health, including: mental health, sexual health and family planning; and directives concerning decision making if the youth becomes unable to make healthcare decisions.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The youth transition plan shall be documented in the case plan and incorporated in the permanency hearings.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>