In 2019, the upper age limits for the Older Youth Initiatives (OYI) programs were extended. Older Youth Services and Collaborative Care are now available until a youth turns 21; Voluntary Older Youth Services are now available until a youth turns 23.
The OYI program encompasses Older Youth Services (OYS), Collaborative Care and Voluntary Services. OYS were formerly known as the Chafee Independent Living Services. OYS and Collaborative Care are sets of services and supports used in order to assist older youth successfully achieve their case plan goal. OYS and Collaborative Care are primarily focused on helping those youth who are expected to turn 18 in foster care, but the programs can be implemented concurrently with other goals like reunification and adoption. Voluntary Services are a set of services for youth who have “aged out” of the foster care system. These services are geared to assisting former foster youth in the areas of housing, employment and education.
The primary purposes of the OYS program are:
- Identify youth who are expected to remain in foster care until their 18th birthday or after and assist them make the transition to self-sufficiency.
- Help identified youth receive necessary education, training, and services to overcome potential barriers to employment.
- Help youth prepare for and enter post-secondary education and/or training institutions.
- Provide personal and emotional support for youth aging out of foster care.
- Assist youth in locating and identifying community resources that will be available to the youth after DCS involvement has ended.
- Encourage positive personal growth in older youth through “teachable moments.”
Older Youth Initiatives is designed as a continuum of care beginning at age 16 with an extension of foster care until the youth turns 21 years of age and voluntary services as a safety net for older youth from age 21 until the youth turns 23.
- Older Youth Initiatives One-Page Summary
- Older Youth Initiatives Overview
- Older Youth Case Management Timeline
- Medicaid Extension Flyer
- Forms
Older Youth Services
- On Track to Success: An Older Youth Resource Guide
- OYS Service Provider Map
- OYS Policy: (Chapter 11 - Older Youth Services (Independent Living)
- OYS Protocol
- OYS Service Standards
- Other Service Standards
- Indiana Youth Advisory Board
- Education & Training Voucher
- Thinking About College?
- Related Links for Youth Aging Out of Care
- OYS Tip Sheet: Post-Secondary Funding Edition
- Understanding Your Finances: A Guide for College Students
- CHAFEE Education and Training Voucher Program (ETV) & Post-Secondary Financial Aid Assistance
- Assisting with Youth Beyond Permanency
Youth Employment Resources
- Youth Employment Resource Map
- Education and Career Information
- Department of Workforce Development Apprenticeships and Paid Internships
Indiana Extended Foster Care Program – Collaborative Care
The Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 is federal legislation that was written to provide assistance from the federal government to states in order to improve outcomes for children and youth in foster care. Through this legislation states may extend and allow for reentry into foster care. Collaborative Care is Indiana's extended foster care program. Collaborative Care is designed for young adults from age 18 until they turn 21 who voluntarily request to remain or reenter into foster care with services.
Voluntary Older Youth Services
Indiana provides voluntary services to young adults who were formerly in foster care a minimum of six (6) months and aged out of foster care at age 18, Collaborative Care closes at age 21 or obtained adoption or guardianship on or after the youth’s 16th birthday. Services are available up to the day before the youth’s 23rd birthday.
Advanced Directives
- Letter to Indiana Youth
- Advanced Directives Explanation
- Advance Directives Video Clip
- Health Care Forms for DCS Wards
To learn more about health care issues please go to The Indiana State Department of Health website - Indiana Health Care Quality Resource Center.
National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD)
Indiana Youth Bill of Rights
The Indiana Youth Bill of Rights is a document that describes the rights of Indiana’s foster youth with respect to education, health, visitation, and court participation, the right to be provided various document, the right to stay safe and avoid exploitation.
The Indiana Youth Bill of Rights should be provided to every foster youth in out of home care at beginning at the age of 14 or when they enter care and every six (6) months thereafter. This document must be explained in an age-appropriate way and signed by the youth.
Indiana Youth Bill of Rights Summary:
Foster youth of the State of Indiana who are involved in a Child in Need of Services (CHINS), Collaborative Care (CC), or Delinquency Court case, are entitled to a voice and an opinion in decisions that will impact their lives. These basic rights during the life of the case and safety is paramount in the case. Reasonable restrictions, including court orders, may be imposed on the time, place, and manner in which rights can exercised. Youth have the right to be informed of these restrictions and the reasons for them in a manner that we can understand.
The view the full version of the Indiana Youth Bill of Rights, select the following link.
Indiana Bill of Rights for Youth in Care (English)
Indiana Bill of Rights for Youth in Care (Spanish)
For more information please contact:
Independent Living Specialists Map
| Sheena Mickelson Northeast Independent Living Specialist Regions 3, 4, 6, 7, 10-12 Work: 574-229-3430 Email: Sheena.Mickelson@dcs.in.gov | William Thomas Northwest Independent Living Specialist Regions 1, 2, 5, 8, 9 Work: 219-384-8682 Fax: 317-232-1726 Email: William.Thomas@dcs.in.gov | William (Harry) Day, M.S. Southern Independent Living Specialist Regions 13-18 Work: 812-595-3575 Email: William.Day@dcs.in.gov |
Car Insurance Information for Foster Youth:
| Provider | Offer | Annual Price |
|---|---|---|
| State Farm | Offers policies for drivers as young as 15 for learners permits | None provided |
| Indiana Farmers | Offers a separate policy if the parents are also insured | $1,700 - $3,800 |
| USAA | Offers the children of current members to have their own policies without having the parent listed | $1,000 - $3,000 |
| Travelers | Valid license required | None provided |
| Nationwide | Requires driving experience | None provided |
| AmFam | Offers 565 policies nationally for 16 to 18 year olds | None provided |
| Hanover | Offers auto policies for individual youth without the parent signing on | $1,252 to $5,561 |
| Farmers | Offers policies for a minor without a guardian cosigner, subject to all other eligibility criteria | None provided |
| Indiana Farm Bureau | Allows minors (child under 18) to obtain auto insurance without parent signature | None provided |
| Liberty Mutual | Offers a policy to minors without parental involvement | None provided |
Click here to download a copy of car insurance information for foster youth.
Credit Reporting
The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) complies with the federal regulation of obtaining annual credit reports for all youth in foster care beginning at the age of 14 up to age 17 through batch reporting. Youth who remain under the care and supervision of DCS at age 18 up to age 21 will continue to receive annual credit reporting through their older youth services provider. Click here for more information.
Insuring Foster Youth Trust Fund:
To learn about donations to the Insuring Foster Youth Trust Fund, click here.