Section 441.202.11. Services to the child.

 The department service worker shall maintain a continuous relationship with the child.

         202.11(1) The department service worker shall:

            a.                Help the child plan for the future,

            b.                Evaluate the child’s needs and progress,

            c.                Supervise the living arrangement,

            d.                Arrange for social and other related services including, but not limited to, medical, psychiatric, psychological, and educational services from other resources as needed, and

            e.                Counsel the child in adjusting to the placement.

         202.11(2) The assigned department service worker shall personally visit each child in out-of-home care at least once every calendar month, with the frequency of the vists based upon the needs of the child.

            a.                The visit shall take place in the child’s place of residence the majority of the time.

            b.                The visit shall be of sufficient length to focus on issues pertinent to case planning. During the visit, the worker shall address the safety, permanency, and well-being of the child, including the child’s needs, services to the child, and achievement of the case permanency plan goals.

         202.11(3) When placement of a breastfeeding child is made, the service worker shall:

            a.                Assess in consultation with the worker’s supervisor whether continued breastfeeding by the mother is in the best interest of the child;

            b.                Make every reasonable effort to support the mother’s continued breastfeeding for the child if determined appropriate; and

            c.                Document the assessment and efforts in the child’s case plan and case notes.

         202.11(4) When a child is in continuous foster care, a new physical examination shall not be required when the child transfers from one foster care placement to another unless there is some indication that an examination is necessary. The service worker shall obtain from the health practitioner or practitioners an annual medical review of treatment the child has received.

This rule is intended to implement Iowa Code section 234.6(6) “b.”

         202.11(5) Throughout the provision of care, the foster care provider shall actively ensure that the child stays connected to the child’s kin, culture, and community as documented in the child’s case permanency plan.

         202.11(6) Throughout the provision of care, the foster care provider is permitted to use the reasonable and prudent parent standard to create opportunities for participation of the child in age- or developmentally appropriate activities.

        202.11(7) Transition planning program. The purpose of the transition planning program is to provide services, supports, activities and referrals to programs that assist children currently or formerly in foster care in acquiring skills and abilities necessary for transition to successful adulthood. The transition planning program offers a life skills assessment, transition plan development, and transition-related services, supports, activities and referrals to programs.

            a.                Eligibility. To be eligible for the transition planning program, a child must be or have been in foster care as defined by rule 441—202.1(234) or 45 Code of Federal Regulations 1355.20 as amended to October 1, 2008, and must meet at least one of the following eligibility requirements:

             (1)              Is currently in foster care and is 14 years of age or older.

             (2)              Is under the age of 21 and was adopted from foster care at 16 years of age or older.

             (3)              Is under the age of 21 and was placed in a subsidized guardianship arrangement from foster care at 16 years of age or older.

             (4)              Was formerly in foster care and is eligible for and participating in Iowa’s aftercare services program as described at 441—Chapter 187.

       (5)       Was formerly in foster care and is eligible for and participating in Iowa’s postsecondary education and training voucher (ETV) program as described at 42 U.S.C. Section 677(a)(6-7).

            b.                Assessment. A life skills assessment shall be administered to all children in foster care who are aged 14 or older. An assessment shall be available upon request to any child who has been discharged from foster care but meets the eligibility requirements in paragraph “a.” The assessment is designed to evaluate the child’s strengths and needs in areas including, but not limited to:

             (1)              Education,

             (2)              Physical and mental health,

             (3)              Employment,

             (4)              Housing and money management, and

             (5)              Supportive relationships.

            c.                Transition plan development. A transition plan shall be completed for all children in foster care who are aged 14 or older, as provided in Iowa Code section 232.2(4) “f.” Transition plan development shall also be available upon request to any child who has been discharged from foster care but meets the eligibility requirements in paragraph “a,” but the transition plan will not be part of a case permanency plan. Transition plan requirements include the following:

             (1)              The transition plan shall be personalized at the direction of the child and shall be developed in consultation with the child and reviewed by the department in collaboration with a child-centered transition team, honoring the goals and concerns of the child.

             (2)              The transition plan shall document that the child received and signed a document that describes the rights of the child with respect to education, health, visitation, and court participation. The document must be signed by the child indicating that the child has been provided with a copy of the document and that the rights contained in the document have been explained to the child in an age-appropriate way.

             (3)              The transition plan shall document that the child received a copy of any credit report pertaining to the child as provided by the child’s caseworker on an annual basis until the child is discharged from foster care. The child must receive assistance from the child’s caseworker in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies in the report.

             (4)              The transition plan shall document that any child leaving foster care at the age of 18 or older was provided with the following documents and information unless the child has been in foster care for less than 30 days or is not eligible to receive such document:

            1.      An official or certified copy of the child’s birth certificate.

            2.      The child’s social security card.

            3.      A driver’s license or identification card issued by the state to the child.

            4.      Health insurance information.

            5.      A copy of the child’s medical and education records.

             (5)              The transition plan shall document that the caseworker provided to the child, at the case permanency plan review in the 90 days before the child reached the age of 18, information and education about the importance of having a durable power of attorney for health care and a copy of the state’s form used to identify such a proxy. The child has the option to complete the form at the age of 18 or older.

             (6)              The transition plan shall address the strengths and needs identified in the assessment and detail the services, supports, activities and referrals to programs needed to implement the plan to best assist the child in preparing for successful adulthood. The membership of the transition team and the meeting dates for the team shall be documented in the transition plan.

             (7)              The transition plan shall be reviewed and updated at each case review after the plan’s initial development; within 90 days before the child’s eighteenth birthday; and within 90 days before the child is expected to leave foster care if the child remains in care after reaching the age of 18.

            d.                Transition services. Children shall be offered services, supports, activities and referrals to programs within, but not limited to, the five areas described below according to the child’s age and development, strengths and needs, permanency goal, and placement as documented in the case permanency plan.

             (1)              Education skills increase the child’s chances of completing high school or obtaining high school equivalency and of entering a satisfying career. Services may include assistance in academic advising and guidance, secondary and postsecondary educational support, records transfer coordination, tutoring, financial aid planning, career exploration, mentoring, and career advising. Financial assistance for postsecondary education and training may be available to eligible children.

             (2)              Physical and mental health skills promote healthy physical, mental and emotional functioning. Health education services may include guidance on risk prevention, how to be healthy and fit, how to self-advocate for health care needs and access to health insurance, how to select medical professionals, and how to make informed decisions regarding treatment, lifestyle considerations, spirituality, and recreation. Provision must be made for the child’s application for adult services if it is likely the child will need or be eligible for services or other support from the adult service system.

             (3)              Employment skills enable children to prepare for, seek, and maintain gainful career employment. Services may include employment programs or vocational training, employment search resources, career advising, résumé writing, interview skills, workplace etiquette, and on-the-job training.

             (4)              Housing and money management skills prepare a child to select, manage, and maintain safe and stable housing. Services may include lessons on the physical maintenance and cleaning of a house and guidance on managing personal finances, such as financial decisions, budgeting, bill paying, use of credit, and financing. Financial assistance for items, including room and board, may be available to children who meet the eligibility criteria of the aftercare services program pursuant to 441—Chapter 187.

             (5)              Supportive relationships skills promote the healthy development and maintenance of rewarding, lasting relationships. Services may include family support and healthy marriage education, mentoring opportunities, and guidance on how to recognize the needs of others, how to identify and understand personal motivations, how to ensure personal safety, and how to communicate effectively.

[ ARC 7606B , IAB 3/11/09, effective 5/1/09;    ARC 8010B , IAB 7/29/09, effective 10/1/09;    ARC 8718B , IAB 5/5/10, effective 7/1/10;    ARC 0417C , IAB 10/31/12, effective 1/1/13;    ARC 2069C , IAB 8/5/15, effective 10/1/15;    ARC 2743C , IAB 10/12/16, effective 12/1/16]