A New Youth-Driven Transition Plan in New York State

Have you heard the news?

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) released a revised Transition Plan Form on January 30, 2024. The new Transition Plan Form (OCFS-5112), released under  24-OCFS-ADM-01, New York State Transition Plan Form to Help Youth Plan for a Successful Discharge, replaces Transition Plan Form (OCFS-4922) and the Transition Plan Amendment for Youth Age 18-21 (OCFS-3917) that had been released in 2015. OCFS engaged and incorporated the feedback of the OCFS Youth Advisory Board, as well as other youth currently and formerly in foster care in the creation of the new Transition Plan Form.

The first thing you will notice is that the form is in first-person language.

This first-person language puts the youth in the driver’s seat and emphasizes that this is their form and their plan. You will see language such as “My Housing Goal” and “Adult Connections in My Life” throughout the form. This directly places the youth as the lead in their plan.

Within 24-OCFS-ADM-01, New York State Transition Plan Form to Help Youth Plan for a Successful Discharge you will find helpful documents and guidance in addition to the new Transition Plan Form (OCFS-5112). In this Administrative Directive (ADM) you will find:

• The Transition Plan Glossary (OCFS-5110)
• The Transition Plan Resource Guide (OCFS-5111)
• Pub. 2000, Planning for Youth Ages 14-21 in Foster Care
   

This new form requires a new approach.

The young person fills out the Transition Plan Form (OCFS-5112) themselves with support from their worker. OCFS requires the transition planning process, including completing the form, to begin when a young person is 17 ½ years old, although starting earlier is highly encouraged. There are so many things for a young person to explore and learn when transitioning to adulthood. Starting early can really make a difference.

The new form is made up of the following sections:

• Checklist 1 focuses on essential documents, such as photo identification or social security card

• Checklist 2 covers a variety of topics and processes, such as “I understand what a deductible is.” or “I was given information on trial discharge from foster care.”
   
• 7 Specific Topics to plan for:
  • My Housing Goal
  • My Education/Vocational (Trades) Plan
  • Adult Connections in My Life
  • Community Resources and Supportive Services
  • Safety
  • Workforce Supports and Employment Services
  • Family Planning
     
• Readiness scales that ask the youth to score their readiness so they can track their progress over time
   
• Next steps and tasks sections that give a young person and their worker a place to capture identified tasks, who completes them, and by when
   
• Youth comment sections give space for youth to use their voice
   
• Review and updates sections are completed every 6 months which capture and evaluate the youth’s progress and items that still need work

Check out the links above to learn more about the new form and guidance for helping youth plan for a successful transition to adulthood. For more information and support, reach out to the Youth Engagement Specialist (YES) in your region.