Court Checklist for Youth

Aging Out of Foster Care

Before a youth's foster care case is closed, the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services caseworker assigned to the case should provide the youth with the following items.

General Information

_____  Original birth certificate.

_____  Original Social Security card.

_____  Identification card or driver's license.

_____  Immigration documents.

_____  A copy of the final court order and case file.

_____  A copy of the CPS file on a computer disk.

_____  Any information relating to the youth's personal bank account or any trust funds established on behalf of the youth.

_____  Any information regarding child support.

_____  Information explaining how to obtain Section 8 or Subsidized Housing.

Education Information

_____  Official school records from all schools attended.

_____  Last report card.

_____  Official high school transcript.

_____  For special education students:

_____  The youth's most recent ARD report

_____  The youth's most recent evaluation. 

_____  Information on how the youth can continue working towards graduation until the age of 21. 

_____  If a youth is not graduating from high school, information about getting a GED and Job Corps.

_____  Verification from PAL coordinator or Aftercare Case Manager of eligibility for:

_____  Transitional Living Allowance

_____  Aftercare Room and Board Assistance

_____  Education and Training Voucher Program

_____  College Tuition and Fee Waiver

_____  Detailed instructions on how to access the services including contact phone number, forms to be used, and where to find them on the internet.

_____  Information on the appeal process if the youth does not receive the Transitional Living Allowance or another benefit.

_____  Contact information of the youth's PAL coordinator and Aftercare Case Manager. 

Medical Information

_____  Complete medical and dental reports, exams, and logs.

______Complete list of psychoactive medication prescribed and administered at any time in the child's history.

_____  Information regarding Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) or any other type of disability, such as Home and Community-Based Services (HCS) and other Medicaid waiver programs.

_____  Original Medicaid card. 

_____  Record of immunizations.

_____  Details on the follow-up medical, dental, psychiatric, and therapy appointments that are scheduled or need to be scheduled.

_____  Adequate supply of medication including instructions on how to access refills, a copy of any paperwork that must be submitted, names of participating pharmacies or locations where medications can be obtained?

_____  Psychological evaluations (if applicable).

_____  Information on how to obtain affordable mental health and medical care.

Employment/Job Training

 

_____  Information on enrolling in a job training program.

_____  If the youth is disabled, information about applying for services from the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS).

The DFPS caseworker should have also completed and filed the following:

_____  Petition for Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Form I-360

_____  Transitional Medicaid application or other health insurance form

_____  Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) application

_____ Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services application, if youth is disabled

_____  Applications for public assistance such as food stamps

_____  Application for services from the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS), if the youth is disabled.