Which statement is true about the initial service plan for a child aged 16 or older?

Which statement is true about the initial service plan for a child aged 16 or older?

• A. Employment opportunities must always be included regardless of appropriateness
• B. The plan should never include independent living preparation
• C. For 16 years or older, the plan includes preparation for independent living, including employment opportunities if appropriate
• D. Trauma triggers are excluded from the plan

Answer: (C)

When planning for a youth age 16 or older, the focus is on preparing them for independent living. The initial service plan must include an independent living component that helps the youth gain skills for adulthood, such as budgeting, housing, transportation, education, and daily living tasks. Employment opportunities are included if appropriate, as part of equipping them for financial independence and self-sufficiency. So the statement that for 16 years or older, the plan includes preparation for independent living, including employment opportunities if appropriate is true. The other options don’t fit because employment isn’t mandated every time regardless of appropriateness, independent living preparation isn’t excluded, and trauma considerations aren’t inherently excluded from the plan.

When planning for a youth age 16 or older, the focus is on preparing them for independent living. The initial service plan must include an independent living component that helps the youth gain skills for adulthood, such as budgeting, housing, transportation, education, and daily living tasks. Employment opportunities are included if appropriate, as part of equipping them for financial independence and self-sufficiency.

So the statement that for 16 years or older, the plan includes preparation for independent living, including employment opportunities if appropriate is true. The other options don’t fit because employment isn’t mandated every time regardless of appropriateness, independent living preparation isn’t excluded, and trauma considerations aren’t inherently excluded from the plan.