OAR 416-530-0200: Certification Standards for Transitional Care

(1) This rule establishes standards for foster parents who offer specific independent living and transitional services for adjudicated youth 16 through 24 years of age. (2) Unless otherwise specified in this rule, the provisions of OAR 416-530-0000 through 416-530-0090 and OAR chapter 416, divisions 335 and 800, apply to foster parents and foster homes that provide independent living and transitional services to adjudicated youth. (3) Qualifications for foster parents providing transitional care. Foster parents providing transitional care must be at least 25 years of age due to the age of the adjudicated youth in transitional care. (4) Respite transitional care. When foster parents who provide transitional care are absent from supervising an adjudicated youth at home during the day, the adjudicated youth may remain in the foster home unsupervised if approved by the adjudicated youth’s JPPO, Certifier, and the foster parent. If an adjudicated youth’s JPPO, Certifier, or foster parent determines that supervision is required, an OYA-certified respite provider who is at least 25 years of age and capable of assuming transitional care responsibilities must be present to supervise the adjudicated youth. Any adult who is at least 25 years of age and has obtained prior approval from the foster parent, JPPO, and Certifier may provide supervision of an adjudicated youth in a foster home for three hours or less. (5) Food and nutrition. Foster parents who provide transitional care must: (a) Assist adjudicated youth with meal planning, and may provide meal preparation instruction; (b) Provide adjudicated youth daily access to kitchen facilities to prepare meals and snacks; and (c) Assist adjudicated youth to meet any special or cultural dietary needs of the adjudicated youth, including those ordered by a physician. (6) Foster parents who provide transitional care must help facilitate the adjudicated youth’s money management skills to prepare for independent living and to meet any court-ordered financial obligations. (7) Foster parents who provide transitional care must ensure adjudicated youth have access to necessary transportation. (8) Foster parents who provide transitional care must report to OYA when an adjudicated youth needs corrective or follow-up medical, mental health, or dental care, and assist adjudicated youth in arranging necessary care. (9) Foster parents who provide transitional care must assist adjudicated youth in understanding the purpose of medications, medication side effects, and how to manage their medications. Either a foster parent or the adjudicated youth may administer the adjudicated youth’s daily dosage of medication. If the adjudicated youth self-administers the daily dosage, the foster parent must verify that the adjudicated youth self-administered the correct dosage. Adjudicated youth placed in transitional care may have access to over-the-counter medications with approval from the JPPO. (10) Foster parents who provide transitional care must assist adjudicated youth in pursuing educational and vocational interests and opportunities in accordance with the adjudicated youth’s case plan. (11) Foster parents who provide transitional care must encourage adjudicated youth to develop and participate in prosocial leisure and community activities. (12) Adjudicated youth in transitional care may have unsupervised access to swimming pools and hot tubs if approved by the foster parent and JPPO. (13) Adjudicated youth in transitional care may have locks on their bedroom doors if approved by the Certifier and JPPO. A foster parent must have access to any locked room.