Virginia Law

A. Independent living services shall be identified by the youth, parent or prior custodian, foster or adoptive family, local department, service providers, legal community, and other interested individuals and shall be included in the service plan. Input from the youth in assembling these individuals and developing the services is required.

B. Independent living services shall be provided to all youth in foster care ages 14 to 21 years and shall be offered to any person from the age of 14 until they reach 23 years of age and who was in foster care at any point between 14 and 21 years of age.

C. Independent living services include education, vocational training, employment, mental and physical health services, transportation, housing, financial support, daily living skills, counseling, and development of permanent connections with adults.

D. Local departments shall conduct life skills assessments and develop transition plans, which include independent living services to be offered, within 30 days of a child in foster care reaching 14 years of age or within 30 days of a child who is 14 years of age or older entering foster care and update such assessments and plans annually.

E. A youth age 16 years and older is eligible to live in an independent living arrangement provided the local department utilizes the independent living arrangement placement criteria developed by the department to determine that such an arrangement is in the youth's best interest. An eligible youth may receive an independent living stipend to assist him with the costs of maintenance. The eligibility criteria for receiving an independent living stipend will be developed by the department.

F. Local departments shall assist eligible youth in applying for educational and vocational financial assistance. Educational and vocational specific funding sources shall be used prior to using other sources.

G. A youth who has been in care six months or more and turns 18 years of age while in foster care shall receive a certified copy of his birth certificate, social security card, health insurance information, medical records, and state-issued identification or driver's license.

H. The local department shall run annual credit checks on all youth in foster care who are 14 years of age and older but younger than 18 years of age. The local department shall assist a youth in resolving any discrepancies in the youth's credit report. The local department shall assist a youth in foster care over 18 years of age in obtaining the youth's annual credit report.

I. The local department shall ensure that any youth in foster care on the youth's 18th birthday is enrolled in Medicaid, unless the youth objects or is otherwise ineligible.

J. The local department shall ensure that any youth who turns 18 years of age while in foster care is given the opportunity to complete a survey to provide feedback regarding the youth's experience in foster care.