Normalcy is the right for all children and youth in out-of-home care (OOHC). This includes participation in age-appropriate extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities, to achieve emotional well-being, and to develop valuable coping skills.
When children participate in extracurricular, enrichment, and social activities, it allows them to gain skills to become independent and learn about making good decisions. Some children may test boundaries and break rules, however, with oversight and guidance, this is how the child can learn about natural consequences and gain an understanding of making positive choices.
Normalcy for children and youth in OOHC is achieved when these children and youth learn skills, take advantage of opportunities to participate in developmentally age-appropriate activities, and develop relationships while growing up in a stable, loving family and a supportive community. Children and youth in OOHC should be afforded the same opportunities and experiences as children and youth not in OOHC. To promote normalcy, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services (Cabinet/CHFS) must be responsive to the needs and voices of children, youth, and emerging adults.
The daily per diem for youth in OOHC includes money for extracurricular, enrichment, school, and social-related activities, (e.g., clubs, ballgames, participation in dance class, gymnastics, karate, church, team sports, band, etc.). As funds allow, the Department for Community Based Services (DCBS) will use Youth Development Funds to supplement the additional cost to participate in these activities for youth aged fourteen (14) through age twenty-one (21). These funds should only be requested when other funding sources have been explored and exhausted (such as foster parent per diem, community programs, MCO, etc.).
Yearly Limit Expenditures:
- Extracurricular activities (up to $500 per year).
Lifetime Limit Expenditures:
- Computer (up to $400);
- Driver education and documentation (up to $500);
- Transportation (up to $500);
- Employment (up to $300);
- Education (up to $500);
- College preparation (up to $300); and
- Second Chance Scholarship ($1,000).
The term 'reasonable and prudent parent standard' (RPPS) means 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. A child's caregiver shall use RPPS when determining whether to allow a child in OOHC (under the responsibility of DCBS) to participate in extracurricular, enrichment, cultural, and social activities. Caregivers are DCBS and private child placing (PCP) foster parents, authorized staff, or officials working in a private child care (PCC) facility. In some circumstances, caregivers are also relatives when DCBS retains custody.