Extended Foster Care in California: Implications for Youth Homelessness

NAEH Conference, February 9, 2012Amy Lemley, Policy Director

John Burton Foundation

Agenda

Overview of extended foster care in California

Discuss considerations for homeless youth

What is the California Fostering Connections to Success Act?

California Assembly Bill 12Signed into law September 30, 2010Took effect January 1, 2012Aligned with the Federal Fostering

Connections to Success ActExtends foster care funding for youth until

age 20 (21)

Benefits of Extended Foster Care

Enables youth to maintain a safety net of support while experiencing independence in a secure supervised living environment

Youth will be better prepared for successful transition into adulthood Improved educational outcomes Reduced homelessness

AB 12 Guiding Principles

Value permanencyHelp youth transition with lifelong connections to

caring adults.Create a collaborative youth-centered processWork proactively with youth in developing and

reaching their independent living goalsAllow youth to gain real life experience with

independence and allow them to learn from their mistakes

Provide a safety net for the most vulnerable youth so they can be successful as independent adults

Eligibility Requirements

Extended benefits available to foster youth who:

Have an open court case at age 18 Satisfy a participation condition Sign a mutual agreement Agree to meet with Social Worker Agree to work on transitional independent

living skills Live in a licensed or approved setting

Phase-in Timeline

2012

• Benefits will extend to youth up to 19 years old.

2013

• Benefits will extend to youth up to 20 years old.

2014

• Benefits may be extended to youth up to 21 years old subject to budget appropriation by the state Legislature.

Participation Conditions

1. Be enrolled in high school or equivalent program

2. Be enrolled in college/vocational school3. Participate in a program/activity that

helps you find a job or removes barriers to employment

4. Work at least 80 hours/month5. Be unable to do one of the above because

of a medical or mental health condition

Eligibility for Delinquency Youth

Probation youth with court order for foster care placement at age 18

At the time probation ends, youth may be eligible for new “transition jurisdiction” Allows eligible youth to take advantage of extended

benefits without remaining under supervision of probation

Must be 17 years 5 months or older (younger youth may transition to dependency jurisdiction)

Can also be taken upon re-entry Supervision recommendation determined at 241.1

meeting

Prior to youth turning 18 the following must be discussed by SW with youth:

Option to remain in EFC Benefits of EFC Right to re-enter and process for re-entering Terms of mutual agreement

Affirmative obligation to ensure that NMDs who want to participate maintain eligibility

In order to terminate dependency, must establish in juvenile court that the social worker made reasonable efforts to ensure participation

Monthly in-person visits continue to be required (51% in home)

Role of Social Worker

Court Hearings

Status reviews continue to take place every 6 months

Parents no longer noticed or parties to court hearings

Court hearings respect status of youth as legal adult Focus on planning for transition to

independence No warrants for “AWOL” No orders for psych meds No Caregiver consent for medical/education

decisionsTelephonic appearances allowed

Re-entry Overview

Youth must be informed of right to re-entry at termination hearing

Youth can re-enter unlimited times prior to turning 20/ 21 yrs old.

Re-entry process is intended to be as accessible and easy as possible

Youth can re-enter either by signing a voluntary re-entry agreement or filing a petition with the court

Placement Options

CURRENT OPTIONS

Relative Caregiver

Foster Family Home

Home of a Non-related Legal Guardian

Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP)

Group Home

NEW OPTIONS

THP-Plus Foster Care

Supervised Independent Living

Supervised Independent Living Settings

THP-Plus Foster Care

Supervised Independent Living Placement

THP-Plus Foster Care

Modeled after existing THP-Plus program WHY?

Measurable youth outcomes 9,188 youth served in last five years Experienced network of 60 providers in 51 counties

THP-Plus will continue to serve three categories: Youth between ages of 21 and 24; Youth under age 21 who do not want to participate in

extended care; Youth who do not meet one of five participation

conditions

For more information, visit www.thpplus.org

THP-Plus Foster Care

Three different housing models: Single site Scattered site Host family

Range of services, including education, employment, mental health, tenancy.

Rate per month: $2,400

Will likely be licensed.

Supervised Independent Living Placement

May include but are not limited to: Apartment living Renting a room (including w/ a relative

or family friend) Shared roommate settings Dorms

No service provider/ no caregiverLimited to basic rate (currently $776.00/

month) + infant supplementBenefit may be received directly

Alameda County Demonstration Project

Homeless minors access Dreamcatcher Youth Shelter

Dreamcatcher screens for potential eligibility for foster care

Bay Area Legal Aid assists with making referral to Alameda County Social Services Agency for eligible minors

Project team evaluates process to ensure minors receive access to services from CWS if eligible

Innovative 2-year project: Alameda County AB 12 Homeless Youth Demonstration Project

Partners: Alameda County Foster Youth Alliance, Dreamcatcher Youth Shelter, Bay Area Legal Aid, Alameda County Social Services Agency

Alameda County Demonstration Project

Presenting needs of 27 youth screened through the demonstration project:

20 youth had a diagnosed mental health disorder. 12 reported currently having health insurance 9 youth reported having been sexually exploited as a

minor 8 youth asked to be tested for HIV 6 requested a doctor visit as soon as possible 6 reported currently using illicit drugs 2 needed immediate medical assistance 2  reported being a recent victim of violence 2 were pregnant 1 youth had a child but did not have custody

Alameda County Demonstration Project

Project will collect data and issue a summary report of findings to help other

counties achieve 2 goals:Reduce youth homelessness by improving the coordination

between homeless youth services and county CW agencies

Identify specific practice that can be utilized in counties across

California

Overall goals of the demonstration project:

Additional Implications

Youth-friendly foster care placement developed – The Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) Approved AB 12 placement for youth in extended foster care Allows youth to live in apartments, shared setting or student

housing while receiving their monthly federal foster care payment ($776)

Likely more appealing placement to homeless youth than traditional foster care placements

Special outreach to homeless youth Children’s Law Center and California Youth Connection

developed outreach plan to educate homeless youth and providers about extended foster care

Questions or Comments?

Amy Lemley, Policy DirectorJohn Burton Foundation

415-693-1322amy@johnburtonfoundation.org

Information about AB 12 at www.cafosteringconnections.org