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Eligibility for Extended Foster Care

  • 18, 19, or 20 years of age;
    is a resident of Arizona;
    has signed a Voluntary Extended Foster Care Agreement;
    resides in a supervised living arrangement approved by the Department;
    has an individualized case plan and is in one or more of the following:
    completing secondary education or an educational program leading to a GED or be enrolled in an institution that provides postsecondary or vocational education;
    employed at least eighty hours a month;
    Participating in a program or activity that promotes employment or removes barriers to employment;
    or unable to be a full-time student or to be employed because of a documented medical condition

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Requirements for EFC Participants

  • The young adult will demonstrate personal responsibility for preparing for and transitioning from adolescence to adulthood by working cooperatively with the DCS Specialist to develop an individualized agreement for continued care (case plan) that outlines activities to prepare for self-sufficiency by doing the following:

  • Participating in educational, vocational, employment or employment readiness activities of their choice, which may include paid employment, volunteer work or other activities defined in the case plan that will assist the youth to strengthen their employability.
    Identifying their physical and mental health needs and participating in health services, including mental health services of their choice (Youth who choose to not participate in health services recommended by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other qualified physical or behavioral health professional, must identify other strategies they will implement to address their behavioral and/or physical health needs.).
    Identifying and maintaining a safe living arrangement of their choice which will allow for continuous daily living skill development and practice
    Participating in activities or services to build, strengthen or maintain positive, healthy relationships with relative and non-relative persons including supportive adults with who the youth desires to establish a long-term connection.
    Maintaining contact with the assigned DCS Specialist, immediately reporting any actual or anticipated changes to their living arrangement, education, training or employment or health status.

Re-entry into the Extended Foster Care Program

  • Former foster youth who are legal residents of Arizona, and those who left the Arizona foster care system at age 18 or older, may request to re-enter foster care, any time prior to their 21st birthday. All foster care and other services end on the person’s 21st birthday.

  • Re-entering foster care means DCS will assign a case manager to help create a case plan, arrange for services, and monitor progress. All services provided must complement the youth’s own efforts to become self-sufficient. Youth must work cooperatively with the case manager in order to benefit from services, which may include long-term case management and support, a monthly living stipend, and coordination of services.

  • Youth may request re-entry by contacting the local Transitional Independent Living Program (after care) provider (aka Successful Transition to Adulthood). The TILP contract provider will initially work with the youth to resolve immediate housing, mental health, employment or other crises, and to confirm the youth’s desire to return to DCS care. Once this is complete the TILP staff will contact DCS to arrange a meeting with the local Re-Entry coordinator to ensure a smooth transition back into care.

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