Eligibility CriteriaFormer foster youth who are/were under the foster or permanent

custody of the Department at age 18 and are younger than 21 years.

Youth placed in guardianship or adopted at age 16 or older.

Former foster youth between the ages of 18 and 21 years who never entered the program or whose case has been closed may enter/re-enter the program.

Eligibility Criteria Cont.The young adult must be:Enrolled in high school or a program leading to a high school

equivalent (e.g. GED) or a vocational or post high school educational program;

Participating in a program to promote or remove barriers to employment;

Employed at least 80 hours/month; orHave a medical condition that makes the young adult incapable

of doing the above activities.

What will the Imua Kākou Program Do?

Provides transitional and other support as young adults move toward independent living.

Allow more time for the young adult to attain educational and employment goals.

Collaborative program where the young adult’s input is a vital part of their individualized case plan.

As the young adult moves toward independent living, connections with supportive adults will be fostered.

Focus on the young adult’s well-being.Conduct court reviews every six months.

Imua Kākou Cont.The young adult will develop a case plan with the case manager,

which includes monthly face-to-face visits.The program will be youth-driven and allow for easy entry and

re-entry.The focus will be on the young adult’s unique needs.

Hawai‘i’s Model ValuesThe new program will be driven by the young adult.It will build on the successful Youth Circles program.Assistance provided for entry and re-entry process.It will support young adults as they transition and focus on

their unique needs.It will be culturally appropriate.It is VOLUNTARY.

BenefitsContinued independent living services.Assistance with placement/living options.May directly receive foster board payments.Assistance with applying for school and financial

aid, finding employment, job/vocational training.Enhanced social capital.

Supporting Adult RoleRemember … the foster youth is now a YOUNG ADULT and

must be treated as so.

This means… Allowing the young adult to take on more responsibility and to

hold them accountable, while balancing our first instinct to act in their best interest.

Supporting Adult Role (Cont.)

Engage and collaborate.Listen to the young adult.Enhance the young adult’s social capital

needs.Assess how to provide developmentally

appropriate help.

Court Process – StatewideEach circuit will facilitate their own periodic reviews and other

hearings.Findings at periodic reviews and other hearings shall be made

by the judge.Young adults in the program and the DHS will be able to request

a hearing at any time.The review will be informally conducted to encourage

meaningful dialogue.

Court Process – StatewideEntering the Program

Young adults shall enter care through a voluntary placement agreement.

The DHS must file a petition within 30 days of the young adult signing the agreement.

At the hearing on the petition, the court will determine if voluntary care is in the young adult’s best interest. This hearing must be held within 15 days of the petition being filed.

Court Process – StatewideCourt Reports

The DHS must submit a report to the court seven days before the scheduled hearing.

This report must be developed in collaboration with the young adult.

The court report must include:The young adult’s progress towards achieving case plan goals;Proposed revisions to any goals and reasons for such revisions;

andProposed revisions to the methods for achieving goals and

reasons for such revisions.

Court Process – StatewidePeriodic Reviews

The first Periodic Review must be held within six months after the young adult signs the voluntary care agreement.

Later reviews are held every six months thereafter.The following findings must be made at the reviews:

Whether the young adult continues to meet eligibility requirements;Whether the young adult continues to comply with the case plan

and the appropriateness of the plan; andWhether the young adult is making progress towards achieving

independence.

Court Process – StatewideOther Court Hearings

Discharge Hearing: shall be conducted when the young adult is no longer eligible for the program or chooses to terminate the program.The court and the young adult will discuss the young adult’s options and how the young adult may prepare for transitioning out of the program or re-establish eligibility (if applicable). A young adult may request court appointed counsel at any time and the judge will decide if appointment of counsel is in the young adult’s best interest.

Court Process – O‘ahuImua Kākou – Young Adult Voluntary Foster Care Program Court Process Flowchart Rev. 06 February 2014

Foster Youth (FY) Transitioning from 587A Case Young Adult (YA) Initial & Re-entry to Program

FY UNABLE to meet eligibility requirements

Initial verification by CWS Liaison Initial eligibility verification by 587A worker

Entry into Imua Kākou Program

Last hearing prior to the FY’s 18th birthday: FY must be present at this hearing. If not, 587A closed via normal

procedures 587A worker: request 587A jurisdiction be extended past

the FY’s 18th birthday.

587A worker: 1) prepare the petition to request jurisdiction under the Imua Kākou Program; 2) review the Voluntary

Care Agreement (VCA) with the FY. Do NOT have the FY sign the agreement; & 3) make the required copies of the

prepared petition & VCA. Do NOT file the petition.

FY MEETS eligibility

requirements

FY: Close 587A per normal CWS

procedures. FY & YA: Inform of the option of enter

the program prior to reaching 21 years.

YA UNABLE to meet eligibility requirements

YA MEETS eligibility

requirements

CWS Liaison: 1) review the VCA with the young adult. Have the young adult sign the agreement. (2) Within 30

days of the YA signing the VCA, prepare & file the petition to request jurisdiction under the voluntary care

law. (3) call the 587A Supervisor for the FC no. 587A Supervisor: Assign a FC no. to the case.

Hearing scheduled after the 18th birthday/on Petition: FY: must be present at this hearing.

Judge: Presiding judge for the 587A case 587A worker: must be present at this hearing

CWS Liaison & VC case worker: attend the hearing on the petition to invoke jurisdiction under the voluntary care law.

DAG: Present to close the 587A case.

FY & YA NOT present: Hearing on the petition to enter the Program

cancelled. Inform FY/YA of the option to enter the program at a

later date, prior to turning 21 years.

NOTE: Depending on circumstances, judge

may continue the hearings to a later date.

FY & YA Present: FY: 587A case closed and court recessed. During the recess, FY to sign the VCA. Petition/VCA filed in open court. FC

no. will be assigned to the case. FY & YA: Court makes determination that voluntary care is in the FY’s best interest and takes jurisdiction. Make required findings and orders. Schedule and provide notice of the initial Periodic Review and all subsequent review

hearings.

Hearing on the Petition CWS Liaison & Voluntary Care (VC) case worker:

attend the hearing on the petition to invoke jurisdiction under the voluntary care law.

YA: must be present at this hearing

Judicial Reviews Periodic reviews shall be held not less than once every 180 days from the

signing of the VCA

Court Process – O‘ahuTransitioning Foster Youth

If the foster youth is interested in the program, jurisdiction in the 587A case will be extended to at least one month past the foster youth’s 18th birthday

Last 587A hearing/hearing on the petition: 587A case will be closed;Young adult will sign the voluntary care agreement; andThe petition and the agreement will be filed in open court.

Dates for all subsequent reviews and for the Closing hearing will be set at this time. This will satisfy formal notice requirements.

Court Process – O‘ahuHearings

Periodic Review hearings and other hearings will follow the state/federal requirements discussed in the statewide slides.

Hearings will be conducted in an informal manner, with a focus, not only on the case plan and case progress, but on engaging the young adult and on their well-being.