CHILD WELFARE MANUAL

Section 4, Chapter 5 (Older Youth Program), Subsection 13 – ROYALS Case Management Program

Revision Date:  5-1-2026

4.5.13   ROYALS Case Management Program

The purpose of this section is to share information on the Regional Older Youth Advancement of Life Skills (ROYALS) Case Management Program and procedures for referring a youth. The ROYALS Case Management Program is an Older Youth Program, providing specialized and intensive case management services to prepare youth to transition to adulthood. The ROYALS Case Management Program provides comprehensive support to older youth to ensure they have stable housing, employment, a support network, and other important life skills before exiting Children’s Division custody. ROYALS workers are located in every region of the state.

 

4.5.13.1 ROYALS Youth Eligibility Criteria

Youth aged 16-20, interested in ROYALS case management services should acknowledge and demonstrate readiness for intense case management services, expecting contact two (2) to four (4) times a month, by a ROYALS worker. Youth must be ready to work intensely on independent living skills. The youth’s case should have a current goal of Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA) (see CWM 4.8.5 Another Planned Permanent Living Arrangement).  Youth referred for ROYALS Case Management services should be actively demonstrating readiness for:

  • Developing or working on independent living skills,
  • Taking steps toward living independently,
  • Participating and cooperating with services, including readiness for
    • Attending scheduled meetings with the worker,
    • Following through on goals and tasks,
    • Communicating with the worker (phone calls, texts, e-mails, or home visits), and
    • Increased supported decision making.

All youth 16 and older are required to be referred to the ROYALS unit, if any of the following eligibility criteria are met:

  • Exiting to independence within the next 12 months.
  • Pregnant and parenting youth.
    • If the parenting youth’s child is also in the legal and physical custody of Children’s Division, the child will remain with the local worker for case management services.
    • If the Children of Youth in Alternative Care (CYAC) child should be taken into CD legal and physical custody, the CYAC child will be assigned to a worker in the local office for case management services.
  • Youth in the following placement types:
  • Youth who have re-entered care under the re-entry legislation (see CWM 4.5.10 Re-Entry)

Referring a youth does not guarantee acceptance as it is the responsibility of the ROYALS supervisor to determine that criteria for enrollment has been met, and openings are available.

 

4.5.13.2 ROYALS Referral

Youth must be provided the ROYALS flyer, which can be found on the Older Youth Program intranet page, with an explanation of ROYALS case management services. Upon permission from the youth, the referring worker should initiate a referral to the ROYALS unit.  If a youth meets one of the above criteria, making the referral mandatory, the worker should still discuss the referral with the youth for awareness and education of the program.

Referral Process:

  1. The worker will complete the ROYALS Referral Form and submit it to the ROYALS Referral inbox RoyalsReferrals@dss.mo.gov.
  2. The ROYALS supervisor will review the referral form and documentation within the system of record (FACES) to determine if criteria for referral are met, which may include, but is not limited to, a review of worker/child visits, case consults, Social Service Plans, and placement history.
  3. If criteria are met, the ROYALS supervisor will coordinate with the referring worker, within 5 business days, to schedule a staffing where a final decision will be determined regarding a possible transfer.
    1. The staffing will cover a brief history of the case, the youth’s current circumstances, how the ROYALS unit can assist the youth, and will verify the youth is aware of and/or has agreed to the referral.
    2. If the youth is accepted into the program, a transfer date will be scheduled, and the referring worker will complete the ROYALS Transfer Checklist and ensure all documentation is current prior to the transfer.
      • If the youth has been given notice of removal from his/her current placement, the youth must be moved to his/her new placement location prior to transfer. Further, if there is an FST meeting or court hearing within 30 days of transfer, the referring worker is responsible for the FST meeting, court update, and attending the court hearing.
    3. If a referral is not accepted, the ROYALS supervisor will respond to the referring worker, within 5 business days, with the reason(s) for the denial.
  4. Once the youth transfers to the ROYALS unit, the ROYALS worker is responsible for all case management activities (see CWM 4.10 Case Management Activities). The ROYALS unit will case manage only the referred and accepted youth. Siblings can be referred together as long as all referred youth meet criteria.

 

4.5.13.3 ROYALS Services

ROYALS case management services prepare youth for independence. The case management services include, but are not limited to:

  • Contact with youth two (2) to four (4) times a month, with at least one contact occurring in the youth’s placement each month.
  • Development of permanent connections
  • Intensive exit planning from CD custody
  • Transition planning
  • Attending and leading FST meetings
  • Individualized goal development
  • Outcome-driven supports
  • Participating in court hearings
  • Connecting youth to leadership and advocacy opportunities
  • Hands on assistance with the development of essential life skills
  • Participation in AC Supervisor Consults, as defined in CWM 4.10.4 Supervisor Consults and Observations
  • Providing leadership opportunities for older youth (including, but not limited to, Child Advocacy Day, State Youth Advisory Board conference, Missouri Youth Leadership Academy, etc.)

 

4.5.13.4 ROYALS Disenrollment

Youth may be disenrolled from the ROYALS case management services if:

  • Mental health or behavioral concerns prevent the youth from developing or working on independent living skills.
  • A youth is determined to be unable to live independently.
  • Lack of participation and cooperation, including, but not limited to:
    • Missing scheduled meetings with the worker,
    • Lack of follow-through on goals and tasks,
    • Refusing to communicate with the worker (phone calls, texts, e-mails, or home visits), or
    • Youth has been on run for two (2) or more months.
  • For any other reason, after ROYALS supervisory consultation, as determined appropriate by the ROYALS team.

Disenrollment Process

The ROYALS supervisor makes the final determination on whether the youth has met the above disenrollment criteria. If a youth is disenrolled from the ROYALS program, the case management agency (CD circuit of jurisdiction or FCCM) is required to accept the case back for case management services within 1 week of disenrollment notification. The local circuit will then be responsible for all case management activities.  

  1. The ROYALS worker will complete the transfer checklist and ensure all documentation is current prior to the transfer.
  2. If there is an FST meeting or court hearing within 30 days of transfer, the ROYALS worker is responsible for the FST meeting, court update, and attending the court hearing.