North Carolina Division of Social Services

The name of the North Carolina Foster Care Independence Program, NC LINKS, is not an acronym and therefore doesn’t “stand” for anything. Instead, it is a word that captures the purposes and intent of the John Chafee Foster Care Independence Act: http://www.nrcys.ou.edu/yd/programs/pdfs/hr3443.pdf

Older youth and young adults who have experienced extended time in foster care are at increased risk of negative consequences once they leave care, such as dropping out of school, unplanned parenthood, high rates of untreated illness, homelessness, criminal activity, depression and suicide. In order to help these youth and young adults have better outcomes, the NC LINKS program provides services and resources to all youth in foster care age 16 to 18 and to those young adults who are voluntarily in care between the ages of 18 and 21, as well as to young adults who aged out of foster care at age 18. For the purposes of this policy, “foster care” means that the youth was in DSS custody as a minor and lived either in a licensed foster care facility or lived with a relative (not the removal home.) County Departments of Social Services are required to offer LINKS services to these two populations if they have eligible youth or young adults who are or were in their custody. Counties are encouraged to provide services to youth in foster care ages 13 through 15 and to youth and young adults who were discharged from their custody as teens but prior to their 18^th birthday.

In order for a youth or young adult to receive LINKS services or funding, he or she must be a willing and active participant in the assessment, planning, and service implementation processes. Youth and young adults who refuse services may later change their minds so long as they are eligible.

An assessment of the youth's strengths as well as their needs for further information and training. The assessment is completed by the youth and his or her caregiver.
A plan that is based on the assessment and which includes the youth/young adult's interests and goals as well as their responsibilities for fulfilling the plan.
Services outlined in the plan which are directed helping the youth or young adult to achieve positive outcomes. Desired outcomes for all young adults exiting the foster care system are:
- Sufficient income to meet daily needs;
- A safe and stable place to live
- Sufficient academic and/or vocational training that is in keeping with the youth's goals, interests and abilities
- Connections to and emotional support from a variety of adults outside of the public child welfare system
- Avoidance of High Risk Behaviors
- Postponement of parenthood until emotionally and financially capable of parenting
- Access to routine mental health, health and dental health care
- Services are individualized but usually include group activities; participation in community activities that promote maturity; one-on-one instruction; volunteer activities; employment; specific life skills training; exposure to educational and vocational resources, etc.
Funding is provided to each county Department of Social Services for program operations, based on the number of eligible youth and young adults served by the county. In addition, limited funding is available to reimburse county Departments of Social Services for expenditures made on behalf of individual youth and young adults that help to fulfill the purposes of the program.

Undocumented alien youth/young adults and youth/young adults with personal reserves in excess of $10,000 are not eligible for LINKS funds nor services provided through the use of LINKS funds. Ineligible youths may participate so long as their participation does not require the use of additional LINKS funds and so long as no LINKS-eligible youth are denied services due to their participation.

The Education Training Voucher Program (ETV) is also funded through the Chafee Foster Care Independence Act through a later provision. This program provides grants of up to $5000 to students who are eligible for the LINKS program and who either were in NC DSS foster care on or after their 17^th birthday, or were adopted from NC DSS foster care after the age of 16. Funds are available for up to four years of assistance, so long as students continue to make satisfactory progress toward completion of their educational program ad a qualifying postsecondary educational or vocational training program. Students may apply directly on line at nc@statevoucher.org or can be referred by their local Department of Social Services. Funding is available on a first come, first served basis.

North Carolina Postsecondary Educational Support ScholarshipProgram (expected implementation February, 2008)

The North Carolina legislature recently approved funding to implement the North Carolina Postsecondary Education Support Scholarship program (PESS). Students who were adopted from North Carolina foster care on or after their 12^th birthday or who aged out of foster care will be eligible for scholarship assistance to pay the cost of attendance at any branch of the University of North Carolina or any public North Carolina community college. Students who are eligible for the PESS scholarship may also be eligible for the ETV scholarship, as well as other federal grants such as the Pell Grant. The PESS scholarship will provide the balance of the costs of attendance for students who qualify for multiple sources of assistance.

Students participating in the PESS scholarship program will have case management services available to help the students deal effectively with issues that may be impeding their academic progress.

The 2007 legislature approved funding to provide the state match for Medicaid coverage for youth who aged out of foster are at age 18, until the month of their 21^st birthday, without regard to assets or income. At present this coverage will benefit almost 1700 young adults, many of whom are doing without medical, mental health, and dental health care due to lack of insurance or funds. Young adults ages 18-21 who aged out of foster care will need to apply for the coverage at the county Department of Social Services where they currently reside. Youth who age out of foster care after October 1, 2007, will be automatically enrolled in the program. No payments can be made for bills incurred prior to October 1, 2007.