Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-5-208 - Termination of Services

A. The Department may terminate IL Services, including out-of-home care for foster youth 18 through 20 years of age, and TIL services if the eligible youth:

1. Reaches the age of 21 years;

2. Reaches the age of 18 years and does not desire continued services;

3. Makes a voluntary decision to terminate services; or

4. Demonstrates substantial non-compliance or otherwise refuses to meet the requirements of the individual case plan or individual service plan after the responsible agency staff or designee has made active efforts to engage the eligible youth in identifying and resolving issues, including assessing the effectiveness of current services, and identifying and providing additional or different support services.

B. The Department shall deny IL Services, including out-of-home care for foster youth age 18 through 20 years, and TIL services if the Department determines the person is:

1. Not eligible;

2. Unwilling to create an individual case or service plan; or

3. Not participating in the individual case or service plan.

C. The Child Safety Worker or responsible agency staff shall notify the person in writing of the Department's decision to terminate or deny services within ten work days of the person's application for services.

D. The notice shall include information on the person's right to grieve any decision to terminate or deny services.

E. Within ten work days of the notice to terminate or deny services, the Child Safety Worker or responsible agency staff shall contact the person to:

1. Assist the person through the grievance process including the completion and submittal of any required Department forms; or

2. Identify and engage a personal advocate to assist the person through the grievance process, including the completion and submittal of any required Department forms.

F. When termination of services to a foster youth is planned due to one of the reasons outlined in (A)(1-3) of this Section, the Child Safety Worker or responsible agency staff shall schedule a discharge staffing with the foster youth within ten work days of the foster youth's 21st birthday or the Department's receipt of the foster youth's notice to discontinue services to provide any necessary documents not previously provided, such as a birth certificate, social security card, state identification card, credit report, and a copy of the foster youth's health and education records.

G. The Department shall not terminate services for substantial non-compliance under subsection (A)(4) until the Child Safety Worker or responsible agency staff satisfies all responsibilities including:

1. Staffing of the individual case or service plan;

2. Adhering to the grievance process described in R21-5-209 ; and

3. Developing and implementing a discharge plan that provides information on available community resources, and connects the person to those resources.

H. Services shall remain in effect until the reasons for termination are resolved or the grievance or appeal process is completed.

I. For Independent Living Subsidy only, if the Department determines that continuation of the Independent Living Subsidy would place the foster youth at risk of immediate harm, the Child Safety Worker or responsible agency staff shall:

1. Document this fact in the case file progress notes, and

2. Arrange for a safe living arrangement and sufficient support services to reasonably ensure the foster youth's safety in the interim.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R21-5-208

New section made by exempt rulemaking at 21 A.A.R. 3255, effective 1/24/2016.