Every three months the Michigan Adoption Resource Exchange sends agencies a list of children in their care who have a Federal Goal other than adoption. Many times after mailing these lists, we receive questions about the definitions of each of the Federal Goals. The following is a synopsis the Federal Goals for permanent wards used in the Children's Services Management Information System (CSMIS) and has been reprinted from the FIA Children's Services Manual:

6 = Independent Living (Self-Support) is an appropriate goal for a child 14 years of age or older, and an appropriate living situation for youth who are at least 16. This goal is appropriate only when other permanency plans are not possible or have been deemed inappropriate. When a worker suggests Independent Living as a permanency goal for a child, specific goals and services to the child must be clearly outlined in the Updated Service Plan. The local FIA foster care supervisor must review and approve all goals of Independent Living.

7 = Placement with Relative would be appropriate after adoption has been ruled out and the relative's home becomes available on a permanent basis.

8 = Return Home may become the appropriate goal for an older permanent ward who has not been adopted or for whom adoption and/or all other placements have not been successful, and the (birth) parent(s) are interested in reunification.

9 = Custodial Care (Institutional Living) is an interim goal that may be used for those wards who require specialized placement (including intensive foster care, group home, residential-based mental health treatment, or institutional care) before any other goal can be realistically pursued. This is meant to be a short term goal; when the youth no longer requires the specialized placement, another goal change is necessary.

10 = Adoption is the most appropriate goal for permanent wards. Circumstances which would delay achieving this goal or would eliminate it must be included in a child's Updated Service Plan before other goals can be explored.

12 = Permanent Foster Family Agreement may be an appropriate goal for a child age 14 years or older who is presently in foster care, and for whom Adoption and Placement with a Relative has been ruled out. Approval for this goal must be given by the Michigan Children's Institute (MCI) Supervisor for children under the age of 14. The child and foster family must enter into a long term commitment, and the request for approval of a PFFA must be approved by the first line FIA supervisor.

Occasionally the MARE tracking list may identify permanent wards having goals of 11= Terminate Parental Rights or 13 = Maintain Own Home Placement. These are not appropriate goals for a permanent ward and should be changed.

Reminder: For a child's goal to be properly changed in CSMIS, the local foster care worker must have approved any goal change. MARE will accept approved Updated Service Plans, as well as the FIA 5S form to remove a non-adoption eligible child from the monthly adoption tracking list and photolisting book.

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Thanks for the T.I.P.

Did you know that many adopted children, as well as some children in foster care, independent living, or relative placements may be eligible for college tuition assistance?

The Tuition Incentive Program (T.I.P.) is best known for assisting students from low income families. However, it is a little known fact that children who are receiving Medicaid from the Family Independence Agency, and/or have received it for two out of the past three years are eligible for T.I.P. benefits. This includes many permanent and temporary court and state wards. The Tuition Incentive Program is part of the Family Independence Agency and served 6,000 students last year.

Phase I of T.I.P. helps cover the cost of tuition and mandatory fees for eligible students working toward an associates degree, or those taking certificate program courses at a T.I.P. participating college or university. It does not cover the cost of books, supplies, travel, room and board, or extra tuition for students attending an out-of-district program. T.I.P. pays up to 100% of current in-district resident tuition rates at participating community colleges and universities. T.I.P. will also pay for a maximum of $45 per credit hour at a participating independent, non-profit college or university. The program will only pay for classes taken within the four years following high school graduation or GED completion. T.I.P. will pay for a maximum of 80 semester credits or 120 term credits. To remain eligible for reimbursement, a student must meet the academic progress standards of the participating institution.

Phase II of T.I.P. will provide up to $2,000 in tuition benefits ($500 per semester) to qualified students continuing beyond an associates degree or certificate level program at all four-year Michigan colleges/universities. To be eligible for phase II, a student must have received an associates degree or have earned at least 56 (accepted) credits from a participating school.

To qualify for T.I.P., students must apply before graduation from high school or completion of a GED, and be under the age of 20 at the time of completion of either of these two events. T.I.P. assistance can be applied for any time after a child completes the sixth grade. In addition to being a U.S. citizen, students must be able to provide high school transcripts (or proof of GED) and enroll in school on at least a half-time basis in order to be eligible for the program.

For more information about the T.I.P. program, call 1-800-243-2847.