Library: Policy

340:75-19-31. Oklahoma Successful Adulthood (OKSA) program services for youth in tribal or Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) custody

Revised 9-15-22

(a) John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (Chafee Program).  The Chafee Program supports states in providing independent living services for both state and tribal youth in custody, focusing on:

(1) career planning;

(2) emergency housing; and

(3) aftercare.

(b) Requirements for eligible Indian youth. Federal regulations and state statues require that eligible youth receive:

(1) an OKSA assessment, which is a comprehensive evaluation of the youth's readiness for successful adulthood and identification of the services and supports required for the youth to achieve a maximum level of self- sufficiency;

(2)  an OKSA plan, which describes the services supports and activities the child welfare specialist and youth identify as necessary for the youth to transition to independence, and includes the components required by federal and state statutes;

(3) a judicial determination made at each dispositional and review hearing as to whether:

(A) the OKSA services needed to assist the youth in making the transition from custody to self-sufficiency are provided or are not appropriate;

(B) during the 90-day period immediately prior to a youth's 18th birthday, OKDHS and, as appropriate, the youth's representatives, are providing the youth with assistance and support in developing an appropriate personalized transition plan based upon the youth's input, and as detailed as the youth elects, that includes specific options regarding:

(i) housing;

(ii) health insurance;

(iii) education;

(iv) local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services; and

(v) employment supports and services;

(C) information is provided to the youth about the importance of designating another individual to make health care treatment decisions on the youth's behalf if the youth:

(i) becomes unable to participate in his or her health care decisions; and

(ii) does not have, or does not want a relative, who would otherwise be authorized under state or tribal law, to make health care decisions; and

(D) the youth is provided with the option of executing a health care power of attorney, health care proxy, or other similar documents recognized under state or tribal law; and

(4) a variety of services, resources, and youth development funds are provided to facilitate successful transition into adulthood.  Each service, resource, and youth development fund category has distinct eligibility requirements that are found at Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:75-6-110.

(c) Community contracts.  Youth in tribal custody are eligible for services provided through community contracts, including educational, vocational, supplemental assistance, resource materials, teen conferences, OKSA seminars, technical assistance, and training.  The Indian child welfare (ICW) worker enrolls eligible youths at 14 years of age by contacting the OKSA Program via the OKSA email, oksa@ou.edu.

(d) Contingency funds.  Contingency funds are designed as supportive services for youths in preparation for living on their own and for emergencies encountered after leaving care while learning to live independently.  The ICW worker accesses the funds per OAC 340:75-6-110 by contacting the OKSA Program via the OKSA email, oksa@ou.edu.

(e) Incentive payment.  Youths in tribal custody are eligible for a one-time monetary incentive payment when exiting tribal custody from an out-of-home placement to reunification, adoption, guardianship, or independence.  The incentive payment is accessed when the youth completes an intake and exit interview process with the OKSA aftercare program by contacting the Yes I Can toll free number at 1-800-397-2945.  The KK case remains open when the child in tribal custody is enrolled in OKSA, is in a non-paid placement, and the case type is changed to OKSA.