Written report to court; review hearing and findings

(a) No later than 120 days after a voluntary placement agreement is signed by a child, DFCS shall file with the court a written report which shall contain the following: (1) The child’s name, date of birth, race, gender, and current address; (2) Facts to support a finding that the child meets the eligibility criteria for extended care youth services and an explanation as to why it is in the child’s best interests to receive extended care youth services; (3) A copy of the signed voluntary placement agreement; (4) A plan for such child to transition to independent living or another planned permanent adult living arrangement which is appropriate for the age and independence of the child using a form adopted by DFCS; (5) Any information the child wants the court to consider; and (6) Any other information DFCS wants the court to consider. (b) Within 30 days of the filing of the written report required by this Code section, the court shall hold a review hearing and make written findings of fact for the purpose of determining whether extended care youth services are in the best interests of such child. The court shall issue an order with regard to the child having extended care youth services if it has determined that such services are in the best interests of the child and, as appropriate, approve or reject the plan for transition to independent living or another planned permanent adult living arrangement submitted by DFCS. History. — Code 1981, § 15-11-341, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 927, § 1-5/HB 906. 15-11-342. Determination of dates; periodic review hearings; role of DFCS in hearing and transition planning. (a) When a child is receiving services under this article, the date such child is considered to have entered foster care shall be 60 days after such child signed the voluntary placement agreement. 1080 15-11-342 (b)(1) No later than 12 months after a child is considered to have entered foster care, the court shall hold a hearing and make findings of fact for the purpose of determining whether: (A) The services and supports provided by DFCS under the child’s voluntary placement agreement are developmentally appropriate; (B) DFCS has made reasonable efforts to finalize the child’s plan for transition to independent living or another planned permanent adult living arrangement; and (C) The child is making progress toward achieving independence. (2) The court shall issue an order adopting or rejecting any updated transition plan for such child. (c) So long as a child is eligible for and remains in extended care youth services, the court shall conduct periodic review hearings and make written findings of fact in accordance with subsection (b) of this Code section no later than 12 months following the previous hearing. Such periodic review hearings shall continue so long as such child is eligible for and remains in extended care youth services. (d) Five days prior to any hearing conducted under this Code section, DFCS shall submit a report for the court’s consideration, on a form adopted by DFCS, recommending a plan for transition to independent living or another permanent planned adult living arrangement and include the child’s name, address, and telephone number, the date he or she entered extended care youth services, and the placement and services being provided for such child. (e) Within the 90 day period prior to a child no longer receiving extended care youth services from DFCS, a DFCS case manager and staff, and other representatives of such child and, as appropriate, such child shall develop a final transition plan that is personalized at the direction of such child, including an option to execute a durable power of attorney for health care, health care proxy, or other similar document recognized by law with respect to health care and specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and workforce supports and employment services, and is as detailed as such child may elect. History. — Code 1981, § 15-11-342, enacted by Ga. L. 2018, p. 927, § 1-5/HB 906. 1081 T.15, C.11, A.5 COURTS 15-11-381 ARTICLE 5 CHILD IN NEED OF SERVICES PART 1 GENERAL PROVISIONS 15-11-380. Purpose of article.