8280 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) Services
CPS November 2006
Workers do not refer youth for PAL Services directly. All referrals must be made through regional PAL workers. PAL is also known as the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.
Regional PAL workers may authorize these services to prepare a youth in substitute care to live independently when he or she becomes an adult or to assist the youth during transition to adulthood after leaving foster care. The goal is to empower each participant to meet essential personal needs to the best of his or her ability and improve life outcomes for youth.
8281 Determining Eligibility
CPS November 2006
A youth is eligible for PAL services if the youth:
• is in out-of-home care, in the managing conservatorship or under the supervision of DFPS, including ICPC youths, and at least 14 years old and not more than 22 years old;
• ages out of substitute care, has not reached his or her 22nd birthday, and regional funds are available; or
• has been placed into foster care by a county juvenile probation department, is eligible for Title IV-E services, and is 16 years of age or older.
In these cases, DFPS workers should contact the regional PAL Program Coordinator for more information. These youth are eligible for PAL life skills training and, in certain situations, aftercare room and board and case management.
• is an ICPC youth and meets all other eligibility criteria.
8282 Identifying Available Services
CPS November 2006
Regions may contract for any or all of the following primary PAL Services as funds are available:
• Life skills training in the following six core elements: health, housing and transportation, job skills, money management, planning for the future, and personal and interpersonal skills
• Independent living skills assessment
• Educational or vocational services
• Provision or distribution of transitional living allowance
• Provision or distribution of aftercare room and board funds, and
• Intensive case management.
See also 10200 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL).
8283 Identifying Additional Services
CPS November 2006
When funds are available, CPS may provide or arrange for any of the following additional PAL Services:
• Group and individual counseling
• Specialized camps to promote self-esteem, resourcefulness, and other strengths and skills necessary for adult living
• Participant travel to attend PAL training sessions, not to exceed $5 per session;
• Snacks at PAL training sessions
• Vocational assessments, training and supplies
• Preparatory classes and testing fees for:
• a General Educational Development Test (GED),
• the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT),
• the American College Test (ACT), and
• the Texas Assessment of Scholastic Preparation (TASP);
• Fees for:
• college application;
• tutoring; and
• other special educational services and supplies.
Education and Training Voucher (ETV) funds (as available) should be used before other PAL Chafee funds are used for the fees noted above. The ETV program is limited to those youth who have already obtained their high school diploma or equivalent. See 10320 Overview of the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program.
• Graduation expenses (examples: caps, gowns, senior rings, invitations), when not available through other sources
• Residential housing (dormitory) deposits, if funding is not available through the ETV program or from another source
• Tuition, fees, and books for college or vocational school for a limited time, available only if not covered by the Texas Foster Care college tuition and fee waiver (See 10310 College Tuition and Fee Exemption Information), or by the ETV program.
• Driver's education course fees
• Volunteer mentor services
• Modified or customized equipment when not available through other sources
• Independent living supplies, such as alarm clocks, luggage, first aid kits, calculators, and so on
• Household supplies, such as sheets, towels, and cooking utensils for youth who are moving to or who are in an adult living setting (within regional limit, and if not available from another source)
• Emergency personal needs such as eyeglasses that are needed for employment, housing, or education purposes, if not available from another source, and
• PAL age-appropriate activities and services for youth who are age 14 and 15. DFPS workers should contact the state office PAL program specialist if they have questions regarding expenditures for DFPS workers who are adult sponsors at statewide PAL camps and conferences or who attend other PAL activities such as awards dinners funded through the PAL contract.
See also 10230 Optional PAL Services.
Cross References:
10200 Preparation for Adult Living (PAL) and its sub-items.
8284 Referring Clients
CPS November 2006
For complete referral instructions, see 8161.1 Active Cases — Authorizing, Extending, or Terminating Direct Services.
8285 Using IMPACT
CPS November 2006
To authorize services, workers must enter the following details into the IMPACT system:
IMPACT Field |
IMPACT Entry |
|---|---|
Stage |
PAL |
Category |
PAL Training |
Service |
Unit of |
Service |
|---|---|---|
Health |
Hour |
18A |
Housing/Transport |
Hour |
18B |
Job Skills |
Hour |
18C |
Money Management |
Hour |
18D |
Planning for the Future |
Hour |
18E |
Personal/Interpersonal Skills |
Hour |
18F |
IMPACT Field |
IMPACT Entry |
|---|---|
Stage |
PAL |
Category |
PAL Services |
Service |
Unit of |
Service |
|---|---|---|
Trans Liv Allowance |
Deliverable |
18G |
Educ/Voc Services |
Deliverable |
18H |
PAL Auxiliary Services (including Driver's Education, counseling, independent living supplies, and so on.) |
Deliverable |
18I |
Aftercare Room and Board |
Deliverable |
18J |
Educ/Voc Services CF (Certified Funds) |
Deliverable |
20H |
PAL Auxiliary Services CF |
Deliverable |
20I |
Aftercare Room and Board CF |
Deliverable |
20J |
Case Management CF |
Deliverable |
20K |
8285.1 When IMPACT is Unavailable
CPS November 2006
If the IMPACT system is not functioning or the worker is otherwise unable to access it, the worker may authorize PAL services by submitting a paper copy of Form 2054, Service Authorization.
For complete instructions on authorizing services, see 8164 Manual Authorization — Submitting a Paper Form.
8286 Adding, Extending, or Terminating Services
CPS November 2006
Regional PAL workers should notify the PAL contractor of any changes in the client's circumstances or physical location that might affect service delivery.
To authorize additional units of service or to extend or reauthorize the service, see 8161.1 Active Cases — Authorizing, Extending, or Terminating Direct Services.
If the PAL services are being terminated before the end date on Form 2054, Service Authorization, see 8161.1 Active Cases — Authorizing, Extending, or Terminating Direct Services.