(1) Within the limit of moneys appropriated therefor, the Department of Human Services may establish, license, certify or authorize independent residence facilities for unmarried persons who:

(a)(A) Are at least 16 years of age and not older than 20 years of age;

(B) Have been placed in at least one substitute care resource;

(C) Have been determined by the department to possess the skills and level of responsibility required for the transition to adulthood;

(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 living program; or

(b)(A) Are at least 16 years of age and not older than 24 years of age;

(B) At any time after attaining 14 years of age experienced homelessness for an aggregate of six months;

(C) While experiencing homelessness as described in subparagraph (B) of this paragraph, received services from an organization contracted by the department to provide services to homeless persons or from a host home, as defined by the department by rule; and

(D) Last received the services described in subparagraph (C) of this paragraph after attaining 16 years of age.

(2) Independent residence facilities shall provide independent housing arrangements with counseling services and minimal supervision available from at least one counselor.

(3) Each resident shall be required to maintain a department approved independent living plan consisting of education, employment or volunteer activities, or a combination thereof, and shall be required to pay a portion or all of the resident’s housing expenses and other support costs. The department may approve an exception to the requirements of this subsection for reasons of temporary loss of employment or of other financial support.

(4) The department may make payment grants directly to persons enrolled in an independent living program who, at a minimum, meet the requirements described in subsection (1)(a)(A) to (C) or (b) of this section for food, shelter, clothing, transportation and incidental expenses. The payment grants shall be subject to an agreement between the person and the department that establishes a budget of expenses.

(5) The department may establish cooperative financial management agreements with a person enrolled in an independent living program 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 person.

(6) The department shall make periodic reports to the juvenile court as required by the court regarding any ward of the court who is enrolled in an independent living program.

(7) The enrollment of a person in an independent living program in accordance with the provisions of subsection (1) of this section or making payment grants under subsection (4) of this section does not remove or limit in any way the obligation of the parent of the person to pay support as ordered by a court under the provisions of ORS § 419B.400. [1973 c.801 § 1; 1977 c.717 § 17; 1981 c.283 § 1; 1993 c.33 § 328; 2003 c.14 § 223; 2007 c.71 § 108; 2016 c.106 § 25; 2017 c.30 § 1; 2021 c.59 § 1; 2021 c.597 § 71; 2022 c.42 § 4]

PURCHASE OF CARE