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Effective: 01/08/2026

C12.3 Normalcy and Youth Development Funds

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​All youth in out-of-home care (OOHC) have the right to normalcy, including opportunities to participate in age-appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities. This specifically includes the ability to participate in experiences typical of peers of the same age. To meet this standard, it is necessary not only for caregivers to allow participation but also to ensure that youth have the means to do so.  ​​

Practice Guidance

  • ​Youth in OOHC should be afforded the same or similar opportunities as their same-age peers.  
  • Youth voice is integral to ensuring normalcy at the individual, program, and policy development level. Youth have the right to be involved in their own case planning and services, as well as to contribute to​ continuous quality improvement, including the development of programs and policies that best meet the needs of youth in care.  ​
  • Normalcy for youth and participation in recreational, educational, vocational, athletic, or other programs promotes self-esteem, healthy adolescent development, and successful transition to adulthood. 
  • The daily per diem for youth in OOHC includes funding for extracurricular activities.  However, transition-age youth ages fourteen (14) to twenty-one (21) may also apply for Youth Development Funds to supplement what is included in the per diem for extracurricular activities, educational, and employment-related expenses.  
  • Youth Development Funds are utilized after all other potential funding sources have been explored and exhausted, including per diem funds and scholarships.  
  • Youth on trial home visits are eligible for Youth Development Funds and senior expenses. 
  • Caregivers shall utilize a reasonable and prudent parent standard (RPPS) - the standard characterized by careful and sensible parental decisions that maintain the health, safety, and best interests of a child, while at the same time encouraging the emotional and developmental growth of the child - to allow youth to participate in age-appropriate activities, including athletic program participation.
  • Guidance and examples related to typical activities that fall under RPPS are included in SOP C7.28 Normalcy for Children and Youth in OOHC​.





Procedure

The ​SSW: 

  1. Ensures caregivers understand they are to utilize RPPS to allow youth to participate in age-appropriate activities typical of same-age peers, including athletic program participation;
  2. Does not require additional permission or approval by the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) for typical age-appropriate activities, but remains available for consultation when needed; 
  3. Consults SOP C7.28 Normalcy for Children and Youth in OOHC for additional guidance, details, and examples regarding normalcy and RPPS, as needed;
  4. Informs caregivers of the youth’s rights by making them aware of the following requirements:  
    1. Youth aged fourteen (14) and older receive the Foster Care Bill of Rights;
    2. Youth aged fourteen (14) and older are included in case planning and in the identification of advisors/advocates; 
    3. Youth aged fourteen (14) and older are involved in activities that are typical of their same-age peers; and
    4. Judicial review of the youth’s desired permanency plan and normalcy is mandated for youth who have a permanency goal of planned permanent living arrangement (PPLA); 
  5. ​Submits Youth Development Fund requests to the transitional living specialist (TLS) when the cost for activities for a youth is prohibitive, and all other funding sources have been exhausted; 
  6. Provides information to the youth and caregiver regarding utilization of funding as described in SOP C9.29 Other Expenses, regardless of placement type, not to exceed six-hundred fifty dollars ($650), for junior and senior year expenses, including graduation expenses, class ring, senior pictures, yearbook, prom expenses, or senior class trip expenses;
  7. May utilize the one hundred dollars ($100) school clothing allowance toward senior expenses if it has not been used for clothing.  
The Transitional Living Specialist (TLS):
  1. Provides guidance and support to staff regarding normalcy and the use of Youth Development Funds;
  2. Receives Youth Development Funds request forms and supporting documentation; and 
  3. Submits documents to the Transitional Services Branch for approval.

The Transitional Services Branch:
  1. Reviews and approves reasonable requests for Youth Development Funds, as funding allows, observing the following maximum limits of:
    1. ​​One thousand dollars ($1000) per youth per year for extracurricular activities;
    2. Four hundred ($400) total for computer expenses during the youth’s time in OOHC;
    3. Six hundred dollars ($600) total for driver education and documentation during the youth’s time in OOHC;
    4. One thousand dollars ($1000) total for transportation expenses during the youth’s time in OOHC;
    5. Three hundred dollars ($300) total for employment readiness expenses during the youth’s time in OOHC; 
    6. Five hundred dollars ($500) total for educational expenses during the youth’s time in OOHC;
    7. Three hundred ($300) total for college preparation expenses during the youth’s time in OOHC;
    8. Three hundred dollars ($300) total for genetic testing expenses during the youth’s time in OOHC;
    9. Five hundred dollars ($500) total for moving/storage expenses for youth transitioning from OOHC; and 
    10. One thousand dollars ($1000) Second chance scholarship.



Documents

Revisions