(1) Within the limit of moneys appropriated therefor, the Department of Human Services may establish or certify independent residence facilities for minors who:
(a) Are 16 years of age or older;
(b) Have been placed in at least one substitute care resource;
(c) Have been determined by the department to be unsuitable for placement in a substitute care resource;
(d) Have received permission from the appropriate juvenile court, if they are wards of the court; and
(e) Have been determined by the department to be suitable for an independent resident program.
(2) Residence facilities shall provide independent housing arrangements with counseling services and minimal supervision available from at least one counselor. All residential facilities having six or more residents shall be licensed by the department under ORS 443.400 to 443.455.
(3) Each resident shall be required to maintain a program of education or employment, or a combination thereof, amounting to full-time activity and shall be required to pay a portion or all of the resident’s housing expenses and other support costs.
(4) The department may make payment grants directly to minors enrolled in an independent living program for food, shelter, clothing and incidental expenses. The payment grants shall be subject to an agreement between the minor and the department that establishes a budget of expenses.
(5) The department may establish cooperative financial management agreements with a minor and for that purpose may enter into joint bank accounts requiring two signatures for withdrawals. The management agreements or joint accounts may not subject the department or any counselor involved to any liability for debts or other responsibilities of the minor.
(6) The department shall make periodic reports to the juvenile court as required by the court regarding any minor who is a ward of the court enrolled in an independent living program.
(7) The enrollment of a minor in an independent living program in accordance with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section does not remove or limit in any way the obligation of the parent of the minor to pay support as ordered by a court under the provisions of ORS 419B.400 or 419C.590. [1973 c.801 §1; 1977 c.717 §17; 1981 c.283 §1; 1993 c.33 §328; 2003 c.14 §223; 2007 c.71 §108]
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