Legal Authority/Introduction

• 42 USC 677 John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program
• 922 KAR 1:500 Educational and training vouchers

Procedure

If the youth is eligible for education training voucher (ETV) funding as established in 42 USC 677 and 922 KAR 1:500:

1. The SSW, the regional Independent Living Coordinator (ILC) or the Chafee Program Administrator provides the DPP-334 Request for Educational and Training Voucher Funds to the eligible youth to complete and return to the regional ILC or the Chafee Program Administrator;
2. The regional ILC submits the DPP-334, Request for Educational and Training Voucher Funds, by mail or fax to the central office Chafee Program Administrator and requests confirmation of the youth’s eligibility;
3. Central office verifies eligibility and notifies the ILC and the youth by mail within thirty (30) working days of its receipt.

If the youth or adult is committed (includes extended or reinstated):
The SSW:

1. Assists the student planning to exit out of home care (OOHC) on or after the eighteenth (18th) birthday in selecting a post-secondary education or job training program and applying for all appropriate forms of financial assistance; 
2. Completes the DPP-334 and submits it to the regional ILC or Chafee Program Administrator for verification and approval four (4) weeks before the youth exits OOHC and ETV funds are needed.

Practice Guidance

• Re-submittal of the DPP-334-Request for Educational and Training Voucher Funds is necessary every semester.
• The eligible youth is required to provide verification of good standing or satisfactory progress in a program on a monthly basis by using the DPP-335 Monthly Academic Standing and Enrollment Verification, obtained from the Chafee Program Administrator or regional ILC.
• If the youth is determined by the Cabinet to be ineligible for educational and training voucher funding, the youth may request an administrative hearing.

• Separate requests for ETV funds should be submitted each semester.