CHILD WELFARE MANUAL

Section 4, Chapter 5 (Older Youth Program), Subsection 10 – Re-Entry

Revision Date: 9-18-2026

 

A youth eighteen (18) years of age or older and under twenty-one (21) years of age who was in foster care at any time in the two-year period preceding the youth’s 18th birthday, may request to come back into care per Section 211.036, RSMo. commonly called “Re-entry.” This legislation gives youth who were in custody a second chance to work toward independence under the care and custody of Children’s Division (CD).  

If a youth requests re-entry by contacting CD, a Foster Care Case Management (FCCM) agency, Specialized Care contractor, or service provider, the youth should be directed to the Qualtrics Application or the appropriate Older Youth Transition Specialist (OYTS). The OYTS shall consider filing a petition for re-entry based on the youth’s present circumstances and willingness to participate in services to work toward independence. If the OYTS deems it to be in the best interest of the youth, a request for DLS to file a petition for re-entry shall be filed by the OYTS through a DLS referral. CD and FCCM workers must facilitate the re-entry process for all youth requesting re-entry and requests must be processed according to the Process for Re-Entry below. Final determination to initiate a request through DLS for filing of a re-entry petition via a DLS referral is the responsibility of the OYTS. A determination of whether or not to actually file a petition shall be made by the Division of Legal Services (DLS).  

The assigned DLS attorney shall decide where the re-entry petition should be filed. The re-entry petition may be filed in: 

  1. The court that previously exercised jurisdiction under Section 211.031 RSMo; 
  2. The county where the youth resides; or 
  3. An adjacent county. 

 

4.5.10.1 Criteria for Re-Entry 

To qualify for re-entry services, a youth must meet all of the following criteria: 

  1. 18 years of age or older and under 21 years of age; 
  2. Was in foster care at any time in the two-year period preceding the youth’s 18th birthday; 
  3. Is not in a legal guardianship; 
  4. Is not in the custody of any other individual, institution and has not been committed to any agency; 
  5. Has not pled guilty to or been found guilty of a felony criminal offense; and 
  6. Is not incarcerated in the Department of Corrections (DOC) or committed to any jail or detention facility. 

 

Youth Responsibilities for Re-Entry 

To be eligible to re-enter CD custody, the youth must take an active role in case planning and must agree to:  

  • Participate in, and comply with, the transition plan developed by the youth, worker, and Family Support Team (FST); 
  • Meet with a worker and Chafee Provider as required; 
  • Participate in services provided to gain essential life skills, such as Chafee or Transitional Living Program (TLP) services; 
  • Enroll in, and attend, a “secondary school program of instruction” or an “institution of vocational or higher education,” if the youth determines the program will benefit him/her efforts to achieve independence; 
  • Gain or maintain employment; and 
  • Work to maintain his/her own efforts toward independent living. 

  

4.5.10.2 Process for Re-Entry 

Prior to Re-Entry 

When a youth is seeking re-entry, the youth will complete the application through the Qualtrics Application. Additional information regarding employment status, current housing situation, and the youth’s understanding of re-entry requirements shall be gathered and documented on the Qualtrics application. The OYTS shall discuss with the youth to determine if Chafee aftercare services can meet the needs of the youth or if re-entry is needed.  

The OYTS shall ensure the youth is willing to comply with services and determine what services are needed. Youth requesting re-entry are typically in crisis and their safety and independence may be unsustainable without the foundational supports CD can offer. While a youth’s prior history with CD provides necessary context, the determination to file a petition for re-entry must be governed by the youth’s current need for safety, stability, and permanency. Previous behavioral challenges or perceived lack of cooperation shall not serve as a basis for denying re-entry.  

At no time shall a CD or FCCM team member make a decision as to whether re-entry is appropriate for a youth when notified that a youth wishes to re-enter foster care. The CD or FCCM team member shall direct the youth to the Qualtrics application or the appropriate OYTS for every instance and any circumstance in which a youth advises they wish to re-enter foster care. 

Applying for Re-Entry  

The youth should complete the Qualtrics application, which is sent to the OYTS mailbox and the request is forwarded to the appropriate or available OYTS. Upon receipt of the request:   

  1. The OYTS will contact the youth within one (1) business day and determine if the youth meets the re-entry criteria outlined in this policy;  
  2. The OYTS will discuss with the youth his/her reason(s) for requesting re-entry and explain to the youth, he/she must be willing to cooperate with CD and participate in services to assist with essential life skills development; 
  3. The OYTS will assist the youth with finalizing the Qualtrics application to ensure all needed documentation is included, if applicable; 
  4. If the youth meets the criteria for re-entry, and the youth is agreeable to demonstrate a commitment to the re-entry responsibilities, the OYTS will complete the DLS referral within 24 business hours. The DLS referral will be sent to the appropriate DLS inbox, copying the local Circuit Manager, Field Support Manager, and Regional Director immediately upon completion. The local team members are notified of the request, and shall assist with any re-entry needs, which may include but are not limited to:  
      • Contacting the youth for additional information; 
      • Notifying the youth of the court date, if applicable; 
      • Arranging transportation for the youth to court, if applicable; 
      • Communicating with DLS throughout the process; 
      • Completing any documents required by DLS, the Juvenile Office, or the court; 
      • Notifying the youth if the petition is approved or denied; and 
      • Assigning the case to a worker if the petition for re-entry is approved. 
  5. DLS shall initiate action to file a petition for re-entry within one (1) business day. When this timeframe cannot be met, DLS shall initiate action as soon as reasonably possible. DLS shall either consult the Juvenile Office (JO) regarding the JO’s willingness to file the petition or DLS shall proceed with filing the petition. The emergency petition shall note the urgency of request for re-entry and all attempts to expedite a hearing or re-entry order shall be made. 

 

While Awaiting Re-Entry Approval 

The OYTS and local circuit shall provide guidance to the youth while awaiting re-entry approval. The OYTS shall initiate Chafee Aftercare Services if appropriate, and the local circuit is responsible for attending any required court hearings regarding the re-entry request.  

 

When Re-Entry is Approved 

Once the youth is ordered back into care, the local office shall assure case management services are provided to the youth. 

The local circuit shall immediately provide the OYTS the following information: 

  1. Date jurisdiction of the youth was previously terminated; 
  2. Date petition was filed with the court; and 
  3. Date the re-entry request was granted by the court. 

When a youth returns to the custody of CD, normal case-opening procedures will be followed. A new case shall be opened in the system of record (FACES). A pop-up will appear indicating the youth has a role of “child but is over age 18”; this will not prevent the case from being opened. The youth is eligible for all case management services he/she would have received had the youth remained in care. The youth may request a Guardian Ad Litem, but one is not required. Court hearings should be held, a minimum of every six (6) months, while the youth is in care. 

If the youth was previously case managed by the CD, services are the responsibility of the circuit where the youth resides. If the youth was previously case managed by an FCCM agency, and returns within the service region served by that agency, the youth shall be assigned to the FCCM agency for case management services. When possible, services should be provided by the previous Alternative Care (AC) worker if the youth is returning to the original circuit of jurisdiction. 

The AC worker may request to be relieved of custody when the youth: 

  • Is unwilling or otherwise uncooperative with the transition plan; 
  • Pleads guilty, or is found guilty of, a felony or misdemeanor and sentenced to a period of incarceration; 
  • Is committed to the custody of any jail or DOC; or 

Should jurisdiction be terminated for any of the aforementioned reasons, while the youth is in CD custody under Section 211.036 RSMo, CD shall not file another re-entry petition.