Supports and Services for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care - Montana
Youth's Parental Rights
Citation: Montana Foster Youth Policy of Rights
In policy: It is the policy of the State of Montana that youth in foster care have the right to successfully parent children of their own while in foster care and not be pressured to get an abortion or place a child for adoption.
Placement Options
Citation: Admin. Rules § 37.50.315
A pregnant or parenting youth in need of out-of-home care may be placed in a level VII, licensed child care agency-maternity home or, for youth aged 16 to 21, in a transitional living program that is based in a level VIII licensed child care agency-maternity home. In a level VIII facility, the child of the parenting youth must be in the custody of the State or the parenting youth must be working with the State under a voluntary agreement under Ann. Stat. § 41-3-302.
Health Services
This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.
Parent Preparation for Expectant Youth
This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.
Education and Services to Support Parenting Youth
The issue of assisting parenting youth in finishing high school is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed. For information on assisting youth in foster care complete high school, see Educational Supports for Youth in Foster Care - Montana | Child Welfare Information Gateway.
Economic and Concrete Supports
Citation: Admin. Rules § 37.50.315
A level VII facility provides the basic living needs of pregnant and parenting youth, including food, shelter, transportation, recreation, and clothing. The facility also provides the basic living needs of the child or children of the parenting youth, including food, shelter, baby formula, diapers, transportation, clothing, and access to day care services.
A level VIII facility provides the basic living needs of the parenting youth, age 16 to 21 years of age, including food, shelter, transportation, recreation, and clothing. The facility also provides the basic living needs of the child or children of the parenting youth, including food, shelter, baby formula, diapers, transportation, clothing, and access to day care services.
Services and Supports for Parenting Youth That Promote Self-Sufficiency
Citation: Admin. Rules § 37.50.315
In a level VII facility, shift staff shall be employed to provide 24-hour intensive supervision in a home-like environment with back-up staff available. Professional staff must be employed to provide counseling and case management services, including the following:
- Providing individual and group counseling designed to address the youth's mild delinquent, emotional, social, and behavior problems
- Developing, implementing, and monitoring of individualized written case plans for each youth
- Assisting shift staff in the initial and ongoing assessment of the safety and well-being of each youth and child in residence
- Assisting shift staff in teaching skill-building techniques, parenting, and life management skills to parenting youth to facilitate the acceptable adjustment to a community or family setting
In a level VIII facility, shift staff shall be employed to provide 24-hour intensive supervision in a home-like environment with back-up staff available. Professional staff must be employed to provide counseling and case management services, including the following:
- Providing counseling and case management services with an emphasis on the relationship between the parenting youth and the child(ren) being the central focus
- Assisting shift staff in the initial and ongoing assessment of the safety and well-being of each parenting youth and child(ren) in residence
- Assisting shift staff in teaching skill-building techniques, parenting, and life management skills to parenting youth to facilitate the acceptable adjustment to a community or family setting
Foster Care Prevention Strategy for any Child Born to the Youth
This issue is not addressed in the laws and policies reviewed.