Youth-Developed Discharge Hearing Form

Youth Fostering Change, Juvenile Law Center's youth engagement group comprised of youth who have been involved in the child welfare system, created this form to present to a judge before a youth age 18 or older is discharged from care.

The youth and the caseworker should fill out the form prior to the hearing to highlight the youth's plans after leaving care and concerns about discharge. This court form ensures that a youth exiting care has a meaningful and realistic plan for housing, education, employment, and health care.

The form is not intended as a substitute for a more comprehensive transition plan, but instead as a tool for the youth to flag important issues or concerns prior to leaving care.