For a child 16 years or older, what must be included in the initial service plan?

• A. Preparation for independent living, including employment opportunities, if appropriate
• B. Only recreational planning
• C. A plan to assign a different guardian
• D. A focus solely on academic coursework

Answer: (A)

For a child who is 16 or older in foster care, the plan set up at the start must address transition to adulthood by including preparation for independent living. This means outlining activities and goals that build life skills and readiness for life after foster care, and it can include employment opportunities if appropriate. The idea is to equip the youth with practical steps toward independence—things like budgeting, housing options, transportation, continuing education or vocational training, and accessing community resources—so they can manage on their own when they exit care.

Recreational planning alone wouldn’t meet this broader purpose because it doesn’t address the essential skills and resources needed for independent living. A plan focused on changing guardians is a separate legal matter and not part of the standard independent living planning. And focusing only on academic coursework misses the practical life skills and employment components that help a young person live independently.