Rule 51 - Development of Life Skills Curriculum and Transitional Plan(a) Life Skills Curriculum. For every juvenile between ages 14 and 18 years in the custody of DHHR or DJS, as part of the MDT process, the individualized service plan shall include a Life Skills Curriculum. Life skills to be taught to the juvenile shall include, at a minimum: personal hygiene, food and financial management; housekeeping, nutrition planning, job seeking skills, educational/vocational instruction, and community resources. Pursuant to each juvenile's Life Skills Curriculum, the MDT shall monitor, pursuant to West Virginia § 49-4-406, the instruction of juveniles between the ages of 14 and 18 years who are evaluated as likely to remain in the care and custody of DHHR or DJS until they are 18 years of age. The juvenile shall participate in the formulation of his or her Life Skills Curriculum.(b) Transitional Plan. No later than 6 months immediately prior to the date on which the juvenile will attain 18 years of age, the MDT shall assist the juvenile with developing a transitional plan that is individualized at the direction of the juvenile, which includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and workforce supports and employment services.(c) Services. A juvenile who meets the eligibility criteria for transitional plan services shall receive, in addition to those services specified in subparagraph (a) of this rule, the services ordered by the court related to the transitional plan. Delivery of these services shall be monitored by the case worker/case manager assigned to supervise the case and reported to the court at judicial reviews so long as the juvenile remains under court jurisdiction.(d) Reports. The case worker/case manager assigned to supervise the juvenile shall report to the court during judicial reviews regarding efforts to obtain appropriate transitional plan services, including but not limited to, a voluntary placement agreement with the juvenile, educational training vouchers, other services funded through the Chafee Foster Care Independent Living Program, and training to procure a driver's license, if applicable. COMMENTS
A juvenile living in a transitional living placement may be eligible to earn a subsidy, in addition to any traditional support payment, based on a showing of consistent participation in life skills classes and other life skills activities, in school, and in his or her job training program or employment. A cash incentive program for participation in Chafee-funded juvenile programs is available through the DHHR. The MDT and court is encouraged to identify other funding sources and positive incentives for program participation by juveniles. A job-training program for a juvenile should provide training skills compatible with the juvenile's abilities and interests which will increase his or her employability for jobs available in the region. As a part of the job-training program, the juvenile should be provided the opportunity to obtain a GED if completion of high school is not part of the juvenile's service plan. But continuing eligibility to remain in a transitional living program should not be terminated upon the juvenile's inability to obtain a GED.