Ky.gov
Effective: 01/08/2026

C12.5 Services for Youth Ages 14 to 16

Legal Authority

Introduction

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Case planning and service provision for youth between the ages of fourteen (14) and sixteen (16) must be tailored to meet their individual needs and circumstances, as well as prepare them for transition to a successful adulthood.​​​​​​

Practice Guidance

  • ​​Empowering youth aged fourteen (14) and older to inform and determine their service provision, permanency planning, and future is a core principle for case planning and services.
  • Soft skills taught to youth in out-of-home care (OOHC) include guidance on relationship skills, problem solving, decision making, and daily living skills such as cooking, household responsibilities, laundry, and money management.
  • Starting at age sixteen (16), youth are eligible to complete the Life Skills Reimagined by LYFT Learning. The curriculum includes instruction on obtaining a job, independent living, resiliency, career planning, developing and maintaining healthy relationships, financial literacy, and communication skills.
  • Youth in out-of-home care (OOHC) are eligible to apply for Youth Development Funds to support participation in extracurricular activities, including recreational, enrichment, and school-related activities that are age and developmentally appropriate, and promote normal youth development of self-esteem, social, and independent living skills.
  • Additional opportunities and supports for youth aged fourteen (14) and older are detailed in SOP C12.4 Opportunities and Advocacy for Transition Age Youth in Care.


Procedure

​

The SSW: 
  1. Follows procedures in SOP C7.17 Ongoing Case Planning;
  2. Permits a child age fourteen (14) and older to designate up to two (2) additional people to participate in the case planning conference, one (1) of whom may be designated as the child’s advisor, and when necessary, to advocate concerning the application of the reasonable and prudent parent standard (RPPS), as outlined in SOP C7.28 Normalcy for Children and Youth in Out of Home Care (OOHC) (Section 475 (1) (B) of the Social Security act). The Cabinet for Health and Family Services (CHFS/Cabinet), private child-caring (PCC) facility, or private child-placing (PCP) agency may reject an individual with a reasonable belief that the individual will not act appropriately on the child’s behalf;
  3. Advises youth of the reasons for rejecting any additional individuals the youth has identified for participation in case planning conferences, and utilizes the conversation as an opportunity to teach about choosing positive supports;
  4. Provides youth with information about their rights at each case planning conference, including how to access that information and other resources on the KY RISE website or mobile app;
  5. Provides a youth aged fourteen (14) and over with a list of programs and services, as described in the Kentucky Benefits Flyer, that will help prepare them for the transition to successful adulthood, and which are documented in the case plan;
  6. Ensures that the youth informs, understands, and signs the case plan; 
  7. Ensures that youth aged fourteen (14) and older receive a consumer report yearly until discharged from care and receive assistance in interpreting and resolving any inaccuracies in the report, as described in C12.18 Credit Reports for Youth in Out-of-Home Care;
  8. Discusses teaching of soft skills at the case planning conference with the youth and caregiver, and includes those in the case plan; 
  9. Assesses progress on soft skill development at home visits and documents progress in the case plan and service recordings;
  10. Refers committed youth aged sixteen (16) and older to the regional transitional living specialist (TLS);
  11. Provides information on the Life Skills Reimagined curriculum when a youth reaches age sixteen (16);
  12. Utilizes Youth Development Funds as described in SOP C12.3 Normalcy and Youth Development Funds​ to remove barriers to age-appropriate activities;
  13. Ensures that youth have a state-issued identification at age sixteen (16), following procedures in SOP C12.17 State ID and Drivers License for Youth in Out-of-Home Care; 
  14. Assists youth age fifteen (15) and older who will have the opportunity to obtain an instructional permit or driver’s license following procedures in SOP C12.17 State ID and Drivers License for Youth in Care​, including referring to the TLS for participation in the Driver Readiness Program.  
The Transitional Living Specialist (TLS):
  1. Provides consultation and guidance to the SSW on meeting the needs of youth aged fourteen (14) and older;
  2. Assists youth with accessing and navigating resources on the KY RISE website and mobile app; and
  3. Assists youth aged sixteen (16) and older with accessing the Life Skills Reimagined curriculum. 


Documents

Revisions