The Extended Care (V-9) Agreement
A V-9 is a voluntary agreement between you and DHHS that allows you to stay in DHHS care and receive supportive services past your 18th birthday.
Generally, this agreement is created to help young people continue with education or to help care for youth with extreme health issues.
“Trust someone. You have to start somewhere.”
Muriel G., age 17
Being in the care of DHHS through a V-9 does not mean that you stay in the custody of DHHS. It does mean that you may continue to get services or financial support up to your 21st birthday.
One agreement can look very different from another. It is a negotiation between you and DHHS for things like how much financial support DHHS will provide, how much financial support you will provide, where you will live, your education/training goals, and your overall plan.
You may choose to sign the V-9 contract before your 18th birthday.
If you have a plan, it is possible to get a V-9 reopened after it has been closed. Ask your caseworker or a transition worker for more information.
So, you will need to talk with your caseworker before your 18th birthday about signing the V-9 agreement. If you do not sign a V-9, your DHHS case will be closed on your 18th birthday.
A V-9 is a very individual agreement between you and your caseworker. A V-9 is a completely voluntary program and can be ended by you or by DHHS at any time.
If your V-9 Agreement ends, you can request to reopen and negotiate a new V-9 Agreement anytime, up to age 21.