Vol. 5, No. 1 • Fall 2000

New Funding Dramatically Expands Services to Foster Teens Through LINKS
by Joan McAllister

The Independent Living Program has a brand new name, a broadened range of services, and a strong commitment to offering real assistance to adolescents and young adults leaving the foster care system. The name "LINKS" doesn't stand for anything in itself. Rather, it expresses in one word what the program is intended to do to provide, nurture, and create connections for youth:

• Connections with people who care—family, mentors, and friends who make up a personal support system that can last a lifetime;
  
• Connections with the home community, opportunities for jobs, recreation, spiritual fellowship, and for developing interests;
• Connections with educational and vocational training that is affordable and relevant;
• Connections with mentors who can help youth learn life skills;
• Connections with agencies that can provide services during the rough times; and
• Connections with financial resources to pay for needed goods and services.

Who is eligible for the LINKS program?

Youth and young adults ages 13 through 20 who are or were in the foster care system after age 13 are eligible for LINKS services if needed. Eligibility does not automatically end with adoption or emancipation. The funds can be used for both IV-E and non IV-E children. The purpose of these funds and the implementation program is to help youth and young adults who have been in the foster care system to successfully transition to be self-sufficient adults.

While eligibility for the service is very broad, the primary focus of the LINKS program is on those youth who are at highest risk:

• Young people who are living in foster care and who are likely to remain in care until their 18^th birthday;
• Young adults who aged out of foster care at age 18, who are not yet 21, and who need transitional services; and
• Youth and young adults who have already been discharged from the foster care system, are between the ages of 18 and 21, and who need assistance.

What is required of the youth/young adult participant?

Youth/young adult participants must participate directly in designing their program activities and must accept personal responsibility for doing their share in achieving self-sufficiency.

On a practical level, this means that youth/young adults must be "at the table" at every phase of assessment, resource development, and planning and plan implementation. These young people have ideas and resources that, when used in partnership with the agency, are likely to lead to successful outcomes.

How does LINKS fit in with the State's push toward permanence for every child?

Every good parent wants his or her child to be as self-sufficient as possible, and begins teaching necessary skills early. As the child develops, the parent provides more and more opportunities for the child to develop the skills he or she will need as an adult. This does not mean that the child does not need emotional support offered by the family or will be cut off from that support as an adult.

Similarly, young people in foster care need and deserve permanent connections with family and with other adults that they will continue to enjoy throughout their lives. They also need skills and knowledge to be self-sufficient adults. When a child knows how to take care of himself, he has more positive options in his life choices.

LINKS programs are not an alternative to permanency efforts, but are offered concurrently.

What kind of services are available through the LINKS program?

Each county receives funding to operate its LINKS program, based on a per capita allocation for eligible children. These funds are used to provide basic services to youth 16-21 and, at county option, children 13-15. Activities include:

• A thorough assessment by the youth and caregiver, discussion of goals, and development of a plan,
• Skill-building activities and real-life learning experiences,
• Exposure to community and state resources for educational and vocational training,
• Assistance in strengthening the young person's personal support system,
• Transitional services for youth, including voluntary placement agreements, and
• Outreach services to young adults who have left foster care and may need further assistance.

Additional funding is available by reimbursement through the state LINKS coordinator on behalf of specific youth and young adults who meet additional eligibility criteria:

• The Independent Living Trust Fund provides up to $500 per year for youth/young adults 17 to 21 who have been discharged from foster care or will be discharged within 3 months. This money can be used for non-housing expenses directly related to assisting the young person to achieve a successful transition.
• The Transitional Housing Fund provides up to $1,500 for rent, utilities, and/or security deposits for young adults who were in foster care on their 18^th birthday. Financial assistance is tied to Transitional Services to help the youth transition successfully to total self maintenance in his or her own place.
• Funds for Extremely High Risk Youth are to provide life skills training, mentoring, educational supports, or other non-housing assistance to young people who are aging out of correctional, substance abuse or mental health programs, who are currently homeless, or who are otherwise determined to be at high risk of negative outcomes. This will be capped at $1,500 per year.
• $500 scholarships will continue to be made available to LINKS participants who are attending school or vocational training beyond the high school level. Limited funds will be available to young persons and their advisors who wish to attend national conferences of interest to adolescents and young adults who are involved in the foster care system.

If a youth is in DSS custody but is placed in a residential program, how do they get access to these services?

The county that has custody is responsible for coordinating with the program staff to assure that the assessment and plan is developed. The custodial county would apply for any state administered LINKS funds on behalf of the child, and would be responsible for advancing the funds to be reimbursed. A portion of the county funds allocated through the LINKS program should be made available to the residential program providing the services unless the cost of care includes provision of these services.

The new LINKS program has great potential for providing timely assistance to young people to help them at critical junctures in their transition to self-sufficient adulthood.

Joan McAllister is a program consultant and acting LINKS coordinator for the N.C. Division of Social Services.

 

Copyright � 2000 Jordan Institute for Families