Library: Policy
340:75-6-110. Oklahoma Successful Adulthood (OKSA) program
Revised 9-15-2021
(a) OKSA program eligibility. The OKSA program serves:
(1) youth 14 through 17 years of age who are in an out-of-home placement; and in:
(A) Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) legal custody; or
(B) the custody of a federally recognized Indian tribe;
(2) young adults 18, 19, and 20 years of age, who:
(A) were in an out-of-home placement while in OKDHS or tribal custody on his or her 18th birthday; or
(B) entered a guardianship or adoption at 16 years of age and older to achieve permanency and who have not yet reached his or her 21st birthday; and
(3) young adults 21 to 26 years of age who participate for no more than five years in the Education and Training Voucher Program. • 1
(b) Legal authority for OKSA services. Laws that guide OKSA services administered by OKDHS are described in (1) and (2) of this subsection.
(1) Federal successful adulthood law. The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 enacted as part of Public Law (P.L.) 106-169; Section 475 of the Social Security Act as amended by P.L. 110-351, Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoption Act of 2008; by the Preventing Sex Trafficking and Strengthening Families Act, P.L. 113-183; and the Family First Prevention Services Act, P.L. 115-123:
(A) supports states in the delivery of successful adulthood services to eligible youth and provides them with services that focus on:
(i) education;
(ii) career planning;
(iii) life skills; and
(iv) aftercare services; and
(B) requires successful adulthood services:
(i) complement the youth's own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency; and
(ii) program participants recognize and accept personal responsibility for the transition from out-of-home care to adulthood.
(2) State successful adulthood law. Section 1-9-107 of the Oklahoma Statutes (10A O.S. §1-9-107) created the "Successful Adulthood Act," the purpose of which is to ensure eligible youth who, due to abuse or neglect, were or are in the OKDHS foster care program or a federally-recognized Indian tribe with whom OKDHS has a contract or agreement, receive the protection and support necessary to allow them to become self-reliant and productive citizens through the provision of requisite services that include, but are not limited to:
(A) transitional planning;
(B) housing;
(C) medical coverage;
(D) education; and
(E) tuition waivers, when eligible, per 70 O.S. § 3230.
(c) OKSA service provision. OKSA services for youth:
(1) are initiated by the child welfare (CW) specialist according to the youth's age, as outlined in OKDHS Publication No. 94-08, Oklahoma Successful Adulthood Program;
(2) in OKDHS custody placed in other states, are OKDHS responsibility, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:75-1-86;
(3) placed in Oklahoma through the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children (ICPC) are approved by OKSA Program staff on a case-by-case basis, per OAC 340:75-1-86; and
(4) are initiated by the legal guardian or adoptive parent for youth who exited care at 16 years of age and older to permanent guardianship or adoption.
(d) Requirements. Eligible youth are provided each of the items listed in (1) through (6).
(1) Successful adulthood case assessment. The successful adulthood case assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of the youth's readiness for successful adulthood and identification of the services and supports required for him or her to achieve a maximum level of self-sufficiency. • 1
(2) Successful adulthood plan.
(A) The CW specialist develops an initial plan for the youth transitioning to a successful adulthood within 60-calendar days of his or her 14th birthday or within 60-calendar days of the youth entering care after his or her 14th birthday. The plan is developed in consultation with the youth and, at his or her option, with up to two members of the planning team to be chosen by the youth, not including the foster parent and his or her CW specialist, subject to:
(i) the youth's selection of one person that may be designated to be the advisor and his or her advocate, with respect to the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard to the youth; and
(ii) OKDHS rejecting a person selected by the youth to be a member of the permanency planning team at any time when OKDHS has good cause to believe the selected person would not act in the youth's best interests.
(B) The successful adulthood plan describes the services, supports, and activities the CW specialist, the permanency planning team, and youth identify as necessary for the youth to transition to successful adulthood, and includes the components required by federal and state statutes. At a minimum, the successful adulthood plan is reviewed and updated each month with the youth and placement provider.
(C) Prior to the 90-calendar day period immediately before a youth's 18th birthday, OKDHS and, as appropriate, the youth's representatives, provide the youth with assistance and support in developing an appropriate personalized transition plan based upon his or her input, and as detailed as he or she elects, including 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. • 1 & 2
(3) Notice of rights. • 1
(A) Per 10A O.S. § 1-9-107, each child in OKDHS foster care or a federally- recognized Indian tribe and in an out-of-home placement who reaches 14 years of age is given a notice of foster youth rights describing his or her rights to:
(i) education, health, visitation, and court participation;
(ii) provision of documents specified in (4) of this subsection; and
(iii) stay safe and avoid exploitation.
(B) The youth signs an acknowledgment stating he or she was provided a copy of the notice of foster youth rights and the rights were explained in an age-appropriate way.
(4) Essential documents. Per 10A O.S. § 1-9-107, a youth about to leave foster care at 18 years of age and was in foster care for at least six months is given:
(A) an official or certified copy of his or her United States birth certificate;
(B) a Social Security Administration Social Security card;
(C) his or her health insurance information;
(D) a copy of his or her medical records;
(E) a state-issued driver license or identification card; and
(F) official documentation necessary to prove the youth was previously in foster care.
(5) Judicial oversight. A judicial determination is made:
(A) at each dispositional and review hearing involving a youth 14 years of age and older, whether the OKSA services needed to assist the youth in making the transition from out-of-home care to successful adulthood are being provided, not provided, or are not appropriate;
(B) confirming that information was provided to the youth about the importance of designating another individual to make health care treatment decisions on his or her behalf when he or she:
(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 for the youth; and
(C) that the youth was 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. • 2
(6) OKSA support services. A variety of services, resources, and funds are provided to facilitate successful transition into adulthood and each has distinct eligibility requirements.
(A) Youth 14 through 15 years of age.
(i) Youth development funds. OKSA youth development funds are obtained through community-contracted providers and are designed to support the youth's successful adulthood case plan in preparation for living independently. • 4
(ii) Incentive payments. The OKSA incentive payment is a category of youth development funds that allows for monetary payments to youth for survey and application completions and for accomplishments prior to exiting OKDHS or tribal custody. • 5
(iii) Teen panels. Teen panels provide an opportunity for OKDHS and tribal custody youth to educate staff, care providers, the community, and potential resource parents by presenting the youth's views and experiences in the CW system.
(B) Youth 16 years of age and older.
(i) Community-contracted services. Contracts support the OKSA program activities and serve youth who are OKSA eligible. • 3
(ii) Youth development funds. OKSA youth development funds are obtained through community-contracted providers and are designed:
(I) to support the youth's successful adulthood case plan in preparation for living independently; and
(II) for emergencies the youth encounters after leaving out-of-home care while learning to live independently. • 4
(iii) Incentive payments. The OKSA incentive payment is a category of youth development funds that allows for monetary payments to youth for survey and application completions and for accomplishments prior to exiting OKDHS or tribal custody. • 5
(iv) Educational opportunities and scholarships. Scholarships and OKSA services are available to assist the youth complete his or her education and training. • 6
(v) Youth and Adult Advisory Board. The Youth and Adult Advisory Board includes current and former OKDHS and tribal custody youth, OKSA Program staff, and adult advisors. The board provides the youth an opportunity to work together with other interested youth and adults to:
(I) educate the community regarding issues related to youth in out-of-home placement;
(II) improve the CW system through problem solving;
(III) promote successful adulthood through training; and
(IV) bridge the gap between youth and adults. • 7
(vi) Teen panels. Teen panels provide an opportunity for OKDHS and tribal custody youth to educate staff, care providers, the community, and potential resource parents by presenting youth views and experiences in the CW system.
(vii) Voluntary placement of youth after 18 years of age. Custody youth may request placement in an OKDHS-paid placement and services from OKDHS on a voluntary basis, or in special circumstances, a short-term voluntary placement while 18, 19, or 20 years of age, when the youth:
(I) reaches 18 years of age prior to completing his or her General Educational Development (GED) or high school education;
(II) did not obtain a GED or high school education and left an out-of-home placement after reaching 18 years of age; or
(III) has specified reasons approved by the district director for the county where the youth resides. • 8
(viii) Credit reports for youth in out-of-home care. Each youth beginning at 14 years of age and continuing until the youth is discharged from out-of-home care receives:
(I) an annual consumer credit report;
(II) assistance interpreting the report; and
(III) assistance resolving any inaccuracies or evidence of identity theft in the report. The court with jurisdiction over the youth is notified of any inaccuracies, evidence of identity theft, or other fraudulent activity. • 9
INSTRUCTIONS TO STAFF 340:75-6-110
Revised 9-15-2021
1. Successful adulthood eligibility, case assessment, and plan. Pertinent information on successful adulthood eligibility criteria, case assessment, and the successful adulthood plan is included in the Oklahoma Successful Adulthood (OKSA) Guides located on the website at www.oksa.ou.edu. Oklahoma Human Services (OKDHS) Publication No. 94-08, Oklahoma Successful Adulthood Program (OKSA), provides the OKSA website location and quick response code.
(1) The successful adulthood plan is required for the youth:
(A) 14 years of age and older;
(B) in OKDHS or tribal custody; and
(C) in out-of-home placement.
(2) The child welfare (CW) specialist or tribal worker assists the youth with completion of the successful adulthood plan by following the instructions in the OKSA Plan for My Future Guide available on the OKSA website. The Guide:
(A) includes information for the youth about the importance of designating another individual to make health care treatment decisions on the youth's behalf, when 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 for him or her; and
(B) discusses the option of executing a health care power of attorney, health care proxy, or other similar documents recognized under state or tribal law.
(3) The CW specialist ensures the youth has a copy of Form 04IL011E, Rights of Foster Youth.
2. Judicial oversight. The CW specialist:
(1) documents on Form 04KI009E, Court Report, or Form 04KI014E, Individualized Service Plan (ISP) Progress Report, each OKSA service provided since the last court hearing and attaches a copy of the youth's updated successful adulthood plan;
(2) recommends the court make the finding, "appropriate successful adulthood services are provided";
(3) ensures within 120-calendar days prior to the youth's 18th birthday that a family meeting is held to prepare Form 04PP018E, My Transition Plan, per Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 340:75-6-31.1 Instructions to Staff (ITS) # 1;
(4) submits Form 04PP018E to the court within 90-calendar days of the youth's 18th birthday; and
(5) assists and supports the youth in implementing Form 04PP018E as described in the OKSA 90 Day Transition Plan Guide on the OKSA website at www.oksa.ou.edu.
3. Community-contracted services. Community contractors are listed in OKDHS Publication No. 94-08.
(1) Services provided through community contracts include:
(A) educational, vocational, and supplemental assistance;
(B) resource materials, such as instructional tools or supplies, needed for the youth' s transition;
(C) OKSA teen conferences, seminars, and activities;
(D) technical assistance to OKDHS and tribal CW staff and other contractors;
(E) training regarding the OKSA program and the preparation of youth for a successful transition to adulthood;
(F) processing requests for youth development funds;
(G) issuing youth development fund payments for goods and services;
(H) coordinating special successful adulthood funding to encourage OKDHS regions or districts and tribes to develop successful adulthood activities within local communities that include, at a minimum, training for youth in an area of skill needed for successful transition to independence; and
(I) answering the Yes I Can toll free number at 1-800-397-2945 and providing services to young adults, 18 to 21 years of age, who were in foster care.
(2) To access community-contracted services, the CW specialist or tribal worker:
(A) refers to OKDHS Publication No. 94-08 for contact information; or
(B) calls the Yes I Can toll free number at 1-800-397-2945.
(3) The OKSA program provides reimbursement for mileage, per diem, and lodging to specified OKSA activities and events for OKDHS and tribal CW staff and placement providers.
4. Successful adulthood youth development funds.
(1) The approval of successful adulthood youth development funds is contingent upon funding availability.
(2) Successful adulthood youth development funds are not used to reimburse youth, OKDHS staff, or contractors for a purchase made on behalf of youth without prior approval from OKSA Program staff.
(3) Eligibility criteria for successful adulthood youth development funds are listed in (A) through (D).
(A) Youth development funds.
(i) The eligible youth:
(I) is 14 through 17 years of age and is currently in OKDHS or tribal custody in out-of-home placement; or
(II) entered adoption or a permanent guardianship at 16 years of age and older.
(ii) Refer to OKDHS Appendix C-19-A for eligible expense categories and cost limits.
(B) Supportive services youth development funds.
(i) The eligible young adult:
(I) is 18, 19, or 20 years of age and was in OKDHS or tribal custody and out-of-home placement on his or her 18th birthday; or
(II) entered adoption or a permanent guardianship at 16 years of age and older.
(ii) Refer to OKDHS Appendix C-19-A for eligible expense categories and cost limits.
(C) Housing youth development funds.
(i) The youth or young adult eligible for housing funds was in OKDHS or tribal custody and out-of-home placement on his or her 18th birthday and is not yet 21 years of age.
(ii) The young adult, CW specialist, or contracted agency staff contacts OKSA Programs staff for additional requirements.
(D) One-time only youth development funds.
(i) The youth or young adult eligible for one-time only funds is:
(I) 14 through 17 years of age, and in OKDHS or tribal custody in out-of-home placement;
(II) 18 through 20 years of age, and in OKDHS or tribal custody in out-of-home placement on his or her 18th birthday; and
(III) 16 through 20 years of age, and entered a permanent guardianship or adoption at 16 years of age and older.
(ii) Refer to OKDHS Appendix C-19-A for eligible expense categories and cost limits.
(4) Accessing successful adulthood youth development funds for youth or young adults in out-of-home care. To access all categories of youth development funds for the eligible youth or young adult, the CW specialist or tribal worker:
(A) prior to requesting funds, determines if the goods and services are available elsewhere at no cost;
(B) refers to OKDHS Appendix C-19-A for a list of goods and services, cost limits, and codes;
(C) discusses goods and services that support the youth's or young adult's successful adulthood case plan with the youth or young adult and placement provider during each visit and documents the discussion in the Child Abuse and Neglect Information System, KIDS, Contacts screen;
(D) completes Form 04IL006E, Request for Successful Adulthood Development Funds, and includes complete vendor information and instructions regarding where the youth development fund payment is sent;
(E) submits Form 04IL006E to the contractor. The contractor then:
(i) processes the request by verifying the youth's or young adult's available funding and determines if the request supports the youth's or young adult's successful adulthood plan; and
(ii) submits Form 04IL006E to the community-contracted fiscal agent, who issues the youth development fund payment and sends the payment to the location designated in the instruction section of Form 04IL006E;
(F) enters the goods and services in KIDS OKSA Services screen;
(G) verifies the goods and services were received by the youth or young adult and advises him or her that the fiscal agent must have all receipts for the youth's or young adult's goods and services to continue to receive youth development funds;
(H) assists in obtaining the receipts for goods and services, when requested by the fiscal agent; and
(I) documents the funds request in the Contacts screen of the youth's or young adult's KIDS case record.
(5) Accessing one-time only, supportive services, and housing development funds for young adults 18, 19, or 20 years of age who exited out-of-home care at 18 years of age and older. When the young adult contacts the current OKSA community contractor, the contractor:
(A) verifies the young adult's eligibility for goods and services and opens a KIDS OKSA case;
(B) consults with the young adult regarding the fund request and how it complements the young adult's efforts to achieve self-sufficiency;
(C) requests the young adult provide supporting documentation for the request when necessary;
(D) submits Form 04IL006E to the contracted fiscal agent. The contracted fiscal agent issues the fund payment and sends the payment to the location identified in the instruction section of Form 04IL006E; and
(E) enters the conversations with the young adult in KIDS Contacts screen and documents the goods and services received on KIDS OKSA Services screen.
5. Exit interviews.
(1) The youth or young adult calls Yes I Can on or after his or her 18th birthday to complete an intake survey and learn about what services are available to youth exiting custody after age 18. An incentive payment is received upon the survey's completion.
(2) The CW specialist is responsible for informing the youth or young adult to call Yes I Can on or after his or her 18th birthday.
6. OKSA scholarship and educational opportunities.
(1) Oklahoma's Promise (OK Promise).
(A) Section 2601 et seq. of Title 70 of the Oklahoma Statutes (70 O.S. §§ 2601 et seq.) sets forth a scholarship program for students to enroll during the eighth, ninth, or tenth grades that pays for tuition at an Oklahoma public two-or four-year college or university.
(B) OK Promise application for youth in OKDHS custody. Child Welfare Services program staff initiates enrollment for the eligible youth in OK Promise and documents enrollment in KIDS Education and Contacts screens.
(2) Tuition waiver. 70 O.S. § 3230 provides tuition waivers for eligible youth or young adults in OKDHS or tribal custody for undergraduate resident tuition at institutions within the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education and resident tuition for enrollment in post-secondary programs of area vocational-technical districts.
(A) The youth or young adult is eligible until, he or she:
(i) earns a degree or program certificate; or
(ii) reaches 26 years of age, whichever comes first.
(B) To receive a tuition waiver, the youth or young adult must:
(i) have been in OKDHS custody or a federally-recognized Indian tribe for any nine of the 24 months between his or her 16th and 18th birthdays;
(ii) be an Oklahoma resident;
(iii) have graduated from:
(I) a high school accredited by the Oklahoma State Board of Education;
(II) the Oklahoma School of Science and Mathematics;
(III) an approved public high school in states bordering Oklahoma; or
(IV) have completed General Educational Development (GED) requirements;
(iv) have satisfied admission standards determined by Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education for first-time students;
(v) have secured admission to and enrolled in a post-secondary vocational-technical program that has a cooperative agreement with the Oklahoma State System of Higher Education; and
(vi) utilize the tuition waiver within three years after reaching 18 years of age.
(C) To access the tuition waiver:
(i) the CW specialist or tribal worker assists the young adult with completion of the application for the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program;
(ii) OKSA Program staff notifies Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education of the youth's or young adult's eligibility;
(iii) Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education provides a list of eligible youth or young adults to the colleges and universities; and
(iv) OKSA Program staff mails individual tuition waiver eligibility letters to the youth or young adult.
(3) ETV program.
(A) The ETV program is a provision of the Foster Care Independence Act of 1999, Public Law 106-169, which makes funding available for post-secondary education and training. Funding may be used for any expenditure considered as part of the post-secondary institution's cost of attendance. The eligible young adult:
(i) exited custody on or after his or her 18th birthday in out-of-home placement;
(ii) entered a permanent guardianship or was adopted from out-of-home care after reaching 16 years of age; or
(iii) was in OKDHS custody and was otherwise eligible for the Oklahoma Foster Care Tuition Waiver, per 70 O.S. § 3230.
(B) Young adults may continue to participate in the ETV program until reaching 26 years of age or until reaching the lifetime maximum of $25,000, limited to $5,000 per year.
(C) ETV access. To access the ETV program, the CW specialist or tribal worker assists the young adult with electronically completing and submitting the ETV application.
7. Oklahoma Foster Youth Advocates.
(1) The CW specialist advises each eligible youth of the Oklahoma Foster Youth Advocates youth-adult partnership and the youth's opportunity to participate.
(2) When the youth indicates a desire to participate in Oklahoma Foster Youth Advocates, the CW specialist contacts OKSA Program staff.
8. Voluntary placement.
(1) Eligibility for voluntary placement. The youth who requests voluntary placement must meet the criteria in (A) - (D).
(A) The youth is appropriate for out-of-home placement.
(B) Placement is available for the youth.
(C) The youth agrees to participate in the development of a successful adulthood plan outlining the steps to achieve self-sufficiency, participate in OKSA services and activities, and abide by the plan.
(D) The youth participates in an approved school or educational program to obtain a GED or high school diploma and seek employment, as appropriate.
(2) Special circumstances for voluntary placement. When a youth or young adult requests voluntary placement after 18 years of age for reasons other than completion of high school or a GED, such as providing out-of-home care during the summer months following graduation from high school prior to the youth or young adult entering college or a vocational program, the same procedure as for a voluntary placement request is used.
(3) Youth's benefits or resources. When the youth receives benefits, the youth signs a notarized statement agreeing to reimburse OKDHS for the cost of care from any benefits or resources available. When the youth does not choose to reimburse OKDHS from the benefits, the CW specialist with the youth explores alternatives to voluntary placement that are consistent with the goal of self-sufficiency. Refer to OAC 340:75-13-28.
(4) Voluntary placement request. To request voluntary placement, the youth signs Form 04IL001E, Voluntary Placement Request.
(A) Form 04IL001E is submitted to the CW supervisor for approval within three months prior to the youth's 18th birthday.
(B) When the supervisor approves the voluntary placement request, Form 04IL001E is forwarded to the district director or designee for final approval.
(C) When the youth's request for voluntary placement is approved by the district director or designee, the status type for the removal and official custody is changed to "voluntary" in KIDS and the youth's 18th birthday is used as the status-begin date.
(5) Medical eligibility. The young adult, 18 years of age in voluntary OKDHS or tribal placement, may be eligible for SoonerCare.
(A) The CW specialist notifies and provides Form 04IL001E to the custody specialist when the young adult enters voluntary placement to allow him or her to receive medical benefits. The CW specialist:
(i) scans Form 04IL001E into the KIDS File Cabinet in the Client tab;
(ii) chooses User Generated Form as the document type;
(iii) selects a file name; and
(iv) uses Voluntary Placement Agreement and date – Client Name as the document description.
(B) When the young adult exiting voluntary OKDHS or tribal placement is older than 18 years of age, but has not reached his or her 21st birthday, the young adult is directed to the MySoonerCare member enrollment website at www.apply.okhca.org to complete the health insurance application.
9. Credit Reports.
(1) OKSA Program staff:
(A) requests an annual credit report from the three credit reporting agencies for each youth at 14, 15, 16, and 17 years of age, in OKDHS or tribal custody who is in out-of-home placement;
(B) documents in the youth's KIDS OKSA Additional Information screen that the credit report was received and if there are credit concerns;
(C) provides the credit report or information that there were no credit concerns to the youth's CW specialist or tribal worker; and
(D) works with credit reporting agencies to resolve any discrepancies in the report.
(2) The CW specialist or tribal worker:
(A) ensures a copy of the report is provided to the youth and a copy is placed in the KIDS File Cabinet;
(B) documents on the KIDS OKSA screens, the date the report was provided to the youth;
(C) discusses with the youth the importance of maintaining good credit and protecting himself or herself against identity theft;
(D) notifies the court of any discrepancies on the youth's credit report;
(E) discusses during the 90-calendar day Transition Planning meeting the importance of the youth continuing annual credit report requests after the youth's 18th birthday and instructing the youth on how to request the reports; and
(F) documents in the KIDS OKSA Service screen that the youth received budget and financial training.
