(1) With respect to children who are subject to an open dependency proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW and may exit dependency proceedings under chapter 13.34 RCW after reaching the maximum age for dependent children, the department shall invite representatives from the entity providing managed health and behavioral health care for foster youth required under RCW 74.09.860, and the department of social and health services behavioral health administration, the developmental disabilities administration, the division of vocational rehabilitation, and the economic services administration to the youth's shared planning meeting that occurs between the age of 17 and 17.5 that is used to develop a transition plan. It is the responsibility of the department to include these agencies in the shared planning meeting.
(2) For youth who are subject to an open dependency proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW and the department caseworker believes may be eligible for services administered by the developmental disabilities administration, the department shall convene a shared planning meeting that includes representatives from the developmental disabilities administration and the division of vocational rehabilitation when the youth is between the ages of 16 and 16.5. This meeting must be used to begin planning services for the youth in advance of the youth's transition to adulthood. The shared planning meeting required under this subsection may include:
(a) Assessing functional eligibility for developmental disability waiver services;
(b) Understanding the services that the youth wants or needs upon the youth's exit from a dependency under chapter 13.34 RCW;
(c) Advanced planning for residential services provided by the developmental disabilities administration of the department of social and health services;
(d) Advanced planning for housing options available from entities other than the developmental disabilities administration of the department of social and health services the youth wants or needs upon the youth's exit from a dependency under chapter 13.34 RCW; and
(e) Development of an action plan so that the services the youth wants or needs will be provided following the youth's exit from dependency proceedings under chapter 13.34 RCW.
(3) If children who are subject to an open dependency proceeding under chapter 13.34 RCW and who are the subject of either shared planning meeting described under this section may qualify for services provided by the developmental disabilities administration pursuant to Title 71A RCW, the department shall direct these youth to apply for these services and provide assistance in the application process.
[ 2021 c 56 § 3; 2018 c 58 § 49; 2015 c 240 § 4.]
NOTES:
Intent—2021 c 56: See note following RCW 74.13.805.
Effective date—2018 c 58: See note following RCW 28A.655.080.
Effective date—2015 c 240: See note following RCW 13.34.267.