Adolescent Services - Frequently Asked QuestionsWhat services are available to help runaway or at-risk youth and their families?
What specialized services are available to dependent, adolescent youth?
What services are available to adolescent youth in foster care?
What if I don't agree with the decision made by DSHS?Family Reconciliation Services (FRS)FRS is a voluntary program serving runaway adolescents, and youth in conflict with their families. The program targets adolescents between the ages of 13 through 17. FRS services are meant to resolve crisis situations and prevent unnecessary out of home placement. They are not long term services. The services will assess and stabilize the family's situation. The goal is to return the family to a pre-crisis state and to work with the family to identify alternative methods of handling similar conflicts. If longer-term service needs are identified, FRS will help facilitate getting the youth and his/her family into on-going services. FRS services may include, but are not limited to:
HOPE ActThe HOPE Act legislation, passed in 1999, created two new programs to address street youth; HOPE Centers and Responsible Living Skills Programs. HOPE Centers provide temporary residential placements for street youth under the age of 18. These are homeless youth living on the street or other unsafe locations. Youth may self-refer to a HOPE Center for services. Entering a HOPE Center is voluntary. While residing in a HOPE Center, each youth will undergo a comprehensive assessment to include:
The purpose of the assessment is to develop the best plan for the youth. The plan will focus on finding a permanent and stable home for the youth. This plan might include reunifying the youth with his or her parent(s) or legal guardian and/or getting the youth into a transitional living situation and off the streets. Responsible Living Skills Program (RLS) TopCrisis Residential CentersCrisis residential centers (CRC's) are short-term, semi-secure facilities for runaway youth, and adolescents in conflict with their families. Youth cannot remain in a CRC more than 5 consecutive days. Counselors at the CRC (typically, in collaboration with an FRS Social Worker) work with the family to resolve the immediate conflict. Counselors will also help the youth and family develop better ways of dealing with conflict in the future. The goal is to reunite the family and youth wherever possible. The family will also be referred for additional services if other needs are identified. TopSecure Crisis Residential CentersThe "Becca Bill" (named after a runaway youth who was subsequently killed) established secure crisis residential centers for runaway youth. The Becca Bill authorizes law enforcement to pick up runaway youth, or youth found in "dangerous circumstances", and place them in these physically secure, short-term residential facilities. Youth may not remain in a SCRC longer than 5 consecutive days. Youth may transfer between a SCRC and a CRC, but the total length of stay may not exceed 5 consecutive days. SCRC counselors work with families to resolve the immediate conflict, facilitate a reconciliation between parent and youth, and provide referral to additional services. TopPreservation ServicesPreservation Services include Family Preservation Services (FPS) and Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS). Family Preservation Services (FPS): Available to families whose children face substantial likelihood of being placed outside of the home or to reunify a child with their family from out-of-home care. FPS is available to families within 48 hours of referral and is offered for a maximum of six months by a contracted service provider. FPS are designed to support families by strengthening their relationships with a variety of community resources. Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS): When a family has a child who the department believes is at imminent risk of foster care placement, the family can be referred for Intensive Family Preservation Services (IFPS) through a contracted community agency. IFPS is a voluntary services that provides up to 20 hours of in-home therapist time each week, for about a forty (40) day period of time. Services are available seven (7) days a week, twenty-four (24) hours a day. Interventions are focused on improving the ability of the family to overcome a crisis situation and to remain together safely. TopWhat services are available to adolescent youth in foster care?Independent Living Services: Young adults in foster care can receive Independent Living Services to help prepare them for independence before they must leave foster care because they have reached legal adulthood. Throughout the state, community-based agencies and Federally recognized Tribes contract with DCFS to provide skills-based services in the areas of education, employment, housing and life skills to youth over the age of 13. Transition to Independence Programs: Former foster care youth ages 18 through 20 who have at least one documented Independent Living Skills plan prior to leaving care may now receive services designed to assist the youth in achieving self-sufficiency. Services may include assistance in employment, education and/or housing. Responsible Living Skills Program: The RLS program is intended to provide permanent residential placements for youth who are dependent (in the legal custody of the Division of Children and Family Services) aged 16 to 18 who have not found success in other, traditional, state placement. These youth have been living on the streets or other unsafe locations. Occasionally, youth age 14 or 15 may qualify for residence in an RLS program. Many of these youth will have been placed into RLS programs after living in a HOPE Center. RLS programs will help the youth develop independent living skills in a number of areas:
Residential ServicesResidential services include Behavioral Rehabilitation Services and Children's Hospitalization Alternative Program. The administration contracts with community agencies for residential services for children and youth with serious emotional and/or behavioral difficulties who cannot be adequately served in regular foster care. Residential services provide a higher standard of care and services for children and youth with the most severe needs. Beginning in FY95, DCFS began contracting with community agencies for services to this population, which can include in-home intervention, treatment foster care, as well as group home placement. TopEducation & Training Voucher ProgramThe Education & Training Voucher Program (ETV) is a national program for youth who qualify and are likely to age out of the foster care system. The ETV program was implemented in Washington State in 2003. ETV offers financial help to current and former foster youth to attend colleges, universities, vocational or technical programs. The ETV program aims to help students’ in their own efforts to secure financial aid to enroll in postsecondary programs. The ETV program has up to $5,000 in funds available to eligible students; ETV awards are unique to each student and are based on the cost of attendance formula established by their school of choice and any unmet need they may have within the schools financial aid award. The total ETV award cannot exceed the cost of attendance, so not every student will receive a full $5,000. ETV awards can help fund tuition, fees, books, housing, transportation and other school-related costs. The priority deadline is August 1 for youth graduating high school who want to enroll in a postsecondary program fall 2007. Want more information about the program? Please email ETVWASH@dshs.wa.gov or call (877) 433-8388.
Foster Care to College Program and Mentor ProgramThe Foster Care to College program pairs professional adults with youth who have similar vocational interests. These adults help complete college or training program entry paperwork and provide motivation, encouragement and support throughout the college experience. The providers listed below now have a mentor program to assist you. To find out more about what this program offers please contact: Region 1 Region 2 Region 3 Region 5 Region 6 Note: If after speaking with the mentor program provider you would like to enroll a youth in your home in this program, please coordinate a referral and program enrollment with the youth’s caseworker. TopWhat if I don't agree with the decision made by DSHS?A primary concern of the Children's Administration is to assure that all persons dealing with the agency are treated fairly and with respect. There is a formal complaint process that outlines the method for assuring that concerns are addressed in an orderly, fair, and timely manner. The complaint or concern should first be expressed to the assigned social worker. If that fails to solve the problem, the worker's supervisor can be contacted directly. If the issues cannot be resolved by the supervisor, the Area Administrator then the Regional Administrator can be contacted. Individuals who need help to resolve problems and to understand the formal complaint process may call the Children's Administration Office of Constituent Relations at 1-800-723-4831. The Family and Children's Ombudsman is an independent office within the Governor's Office with the mission to protect children and parents from unreasonable agency action or inaction. If you need help with an unresolved complaint or concern, you can call the Children's Ombudsman at 1-800-571-7321. Top |