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North Dakota

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State Coordinator

North Dakota Department of Human Services,
Children and Family Services Division
Kelsey M. Bless
Independent Living Administrator
600 East Boulevard Avenue
3rd Floor, Judicial Wing
Bismarck, ND 58505
Phone: (701) 328-4934
Fax: (701) 328-3538
Email: kmbless@nd.gov

Youth Website

State's Chafee Mission Statement

It is mission of the ND Chafee Foster Care Independence Program to ensure that youth involved in the foster care system receive services and support which will enable them to successfully transition to living independently. North Dakota goals state that every youth in the North Dakota Foster Care System as a teenager will meet the following outcomes by age 21:

have sufficient economic resources to meet their daily needs;
have a safe and stable place to live;
shall attain academic or vocational/educational goals that are in keeping with the youth’s abilities and interests;
have a sense of connectedness to persons and community;
shall avoid illegal/high risk behaviors;
shall postpone parenthood until financially established and emotionally mature; and
have access to physical and mental health services.

Who is eligible for Chafee services?

Youth age 16-21 years of age who have been identified as likely to age out of foster care (Priority 1). However, in more rural communities foster care youth ages 14-15 can be Chafee IL participants with no funding to support their needs until age 16 (Priority 2). In addition, those eligible for the ETV Program are eligible until their 23rd birthday, providing they were participating in the ETV program prior to their 21st birthday.

What is the state's definition of room and board?

Youth who age out of foster care at the age or 18 or older are eligible for “Room and Board” flex funds until they turn 21 years of age. These youth must be a Chafee IL participant and have a Chafee Independent Living Plan in order to access funds. Funding is intended to help youth get moved into a permanent home, not to prolong unnecessary dependency nor to pay for continued residential treatment. Examples of allowed expenditures include: rent, rent deposits, room and board arrangements, and utilities.

Maximum age that youth may remain in state funded foster care

No additional information is available.

Under what conditions can a youth remain in state funded foster care beyond 18?

Foster youth may remain in foster care until their 21st birthday, providing they are residing in a family foster home, and they are in the process of completing their high school education, or are attending an Institution of Higher Education.

Does the state have an approved plan to extend Title IV-E (Federal foster care) beyond 18?

Yes

Age of extension: 21

Conditions used to extend title IV-E foster care:

Secondary Education: Yes
Postsecondary Education: Yes
Barriers to Employment: Yes
Employed 80 Hours: Yes
Incapable of Activities: Yes

Is the Extended Medicaid Option available for youth until 21?

However, North Dakota provides Medicaid benefits to youth who have aged out of foster care as follows:Youth aging out of the North Dakota Foster Care System do not need to reapply for Medicaid to continue their eligibility. Medicaid will remain open and a re-determination of eligibility will be completed to determine continued eligibility. For youth up to the age of 21, earned income is disregarded if they are fulltime students. If working less than 100 hours a month and in school part time, earned income is also disregarded. Assets are disregarded if the youth is not disabled. Foster youth whom have aged out of care, ages 18 – 19 are usually covered under 100% poverty coverage or under SCHIP, but may also be eligible under the Medically Needy Group. At age 19, Recipient Liability is applied for non-students or those students working over 100 hours per month. Recipient Liability applies when the young adult’s net adjusted income is over $530.00 per month.

Can youth in care get driver’s licenses?

Yes

A foster youth who is expected to be in care until adulthood may obtain their driver’s license providing that a parent, legal guardian, or another responsible adult (e.g., a foster parent), assumes responsibility and provides insurance coverage. A foster parent or other responsible adult may not assume this responsibility if the youth’s custodian or the youth’s parents are opposed.

Does the state offer tuition waivers for foster youth?

No additional information is available.

Does the state have a youth leadership program?

Yes

The ND Youth Leadership Board is made up of members from the eight Regional Leadership Advisory Councils. This group meets quarterly to address issues, concerns, and work on projects related to foster care. In addition, North Dakota has a group of youth that is utilized for speaking engagements, panel presentations, attendance at conferences, etc.

ND Youth Information Website is http://www.nd.gov/ndyouth