(a) Purpose. This rule promotes successful community reentry by providing limited, targeted financial support to eligible youth.
(b) Definitions. For definitions of certain terms used in this rule, see §380.8501 of this title.
(c) Eligibility Criteria.
  (1) To qualify for financial reentry support, the youth must:
    (A) be assigned to parole status or be placed in a medium-restriction facility; and
    (B) have an identified financial need that:
      (i) cannot be met using the youth's student trust fund or other resources available to the youth; and
      (ii) is directly related to the youth's community reintegration plan.
  (2) To qualify for a housing rent subsidy, a youth must meet the following criteria in addition to the criteria in paragraph (1) of this subsection:
    (A) be assigned to parole status;
    (B) complete an independent living preparation curriculum approved by TJJD;
    (C) complete the number of hours of community service specified by TJJD;
    (D) complete the number of months of employment or school attendance specified by TJJD;
    (E) sign a subsidized living support agreement;
    (F) be at least 18 years of age; and
    (G) have enough personal savings to pay all necessary deposits and the first month's rent.
  (3) A housing rent subsidy may be provided only if TJJD has determined it is in the youth's best interest to be placed in an unsupervised home location.
(d) Requests and Approvals. To receive financial reentry support, a youth must:
  (1) complete and submit the appropriate request form, which must show how the financial need is directly related to the youth's community reintegration plan; and
  (2) receive approval from the division director over parole services or designee.
(e) Limitations.
  (1) The provision of financial reentry support is contingent on the availability of funds.
  (2) TJJD may terminate a youth's financial reentry support due to a youth's failure to abide by:
    (A) his/her conditions of parole or conditions of placement; or
    (B) the terms of the subsidized living support agreement, if applicable.
  (3) A housing rent subsidy may not be provided for longer than six months.
  (4) Financial reentry support may not be expended after a youth is discharged from TJJD's jurisdiction.
  (5) Financial reentry support may be provided for expenses including, but not limited to:
    (A) rent;
    (B) electric service;
    (C) household goods;
    (D) food;
    (E) public transportation passes;
    (F) employment-related clothing;
    (G) college expenses, such as tuition, books, and room and board;
    (H) technical school or training expenses, such as tuition and tools; and
    (I) structured leisure time activities.
(f) Program Requirements for Youth Receiving a Housing Rent Subsidy.
  (1) A youth's parole officer has access to the youth's living quarters in accordance with the terms of the subsidized living support agreement.
  (2) The youth's personal property will be disposed of in accordance with the terms of the subsidized living support agreement if the youth's parole is revoked or if the property is lost, damaged, or abandoned.
(g) Individual Exceptions. The executive director or designee may make exceptions to provisions of this rule on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration a youth's reintegration needs and public safety.

Source Note: The provisions of this §380.8583 adopted to be effective October 15, 2014, 39 TexReg 8076; amended to be effective April 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 1884