Department of Children's Services
Kathryn “Kate” O’Day, Commissioner

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Who is eligible for services in Post Custody?
Any youth who aged out of foster care at the age of 18, or up to 19, if adjudicated delinquent, who was in an eligible placement at the age of 18 is eligible for support services through voluntary Post Custody. All services provided in Post Custody are voluntary to the young adult being served. The method and array of service eligible to the young adult is dependent upon need. Further guidance to eligible programs and assistance is outlined in DCS Policy 16.52.

How do I access appropriate funding for an eligible youth?
Determinations about the needed services and supports are made in the context of the youth’s child and family team. These decisions are made on an individual basis and are accessed through the Office of Interdependent Living by the youth’s case management. Representatives from the IL Office are available for consultation to youth, Family Service Workers, Resource Parents, and provider agencies and can discuss the individual aspects of a youth’s eligibility.

Who is eligible for post secondary funding?
Any youth who exited care at the age of 18, or up to age 19, if adjudicated delinquent, is eligible for funding for college or job-training programs. Youth who are otherwise eligible for Chafee funded services are eligible for Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Funding when attending an approved program. Additionally, youth who are ineligible based upon Chafee guidelines may be eligible for funding through the State Funded Scholarship.

Additionally, youth who exit to subsidized guardianship or adoption after the age of 15, or who exit to any form of permanency after the age of 16 are eligible for the same education or job-training funding, if placed in an eligible placement upon exit.