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
Information about AB 12 at www.cafosteringconnections.org
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