Questions & Answers about Extending Foster Care to Age 21

THP-Plus InstituteNovember 8, 2010

Oakland, CA .

Presentation Outline

Extension to Age 21 Eligibility requirements Placements Juvenile court jurisdiction Child welfare supervision Special topics

THP-Plus Specific Information

Youth who “age out” of foster care or juvenile probation systems

Youth who exit to Kin-GAP at age 16+ Youth who receive Adoption Assistance at

age 16+ Non-Dependent, Non-Related Legal

Guardian Youth

Who Is Eligible for Support to Age 21?

(1) Completing secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential, OR

(2) Enrolled in an institution which provides post-secondary or vocational education, OR

(3) Participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment OR

(4) Employed for at least 80 hours per month OR

(5) Unable to do one of the above due to a medical condition.

Federal Eligibility Requirements

How many youth will likely elect to participate?

** California estimate calculated by December 2009 analysis by the Urban Institute;Visit www.cafosteringconnections.org to download paper.

Placement Options Under AB 12

Placement Type:

Kinship/Relative Caregiver

THP-Plus Foster Care**

NDNRLG

Supervised Independent Living Placement**

Foster Family Agency

Foster Family Home

Group Home (new restrictions)

Juvenile Court Jurisdiction for Non-Minor Dependents How it is different than court supervision for

minors? Youth have full legal rights as adults Attorney acts “on behalf” of the young adult, rather “in the

best interests” of the minor. Parents are not noticed, nor parties to the hearing Reunification, guardianship or TPR are not case plan goals Incremental responsibility and least-restrictive placement

are goals

Juvenile Court Supervision for Non-Minor Dependents How is it the same as court supervision for

minors? Youth is a dependent of the juvenile court Court hearing or administrative review occurs every 6 mos.

Child Welfare Supervision for Non-Minor Dependents How it is different?

Foster care rate may be paid directly, in whole or part, to youths capable of signing mutual agreements.

Two new placement options (SIL & THP-Plus FC) Youth signs case plan Case plan focused on transitional skills and permanent

connections; development of incremental responsibility.

Child Welfare Supervision for Non-Minor Dependents How it is the same?

Non-minor dependent eligible for specialized care increment rates, with exception of SIL

Social workers contact occurs monthly on average TILP updated every six months

Special Topics

Youth who are: Discharged, but want to return Receive regional center services Likely eligible for or are receiving SSI Parenting Exiting juvenile probation On run-away status at age 18 Undocumented Others?

How AB 12 Affects THP-Plus

THP-Plus budgeting Rate structure County planning process Outstanding questions

THP-Plus Budgeting

70% to THP-Plus Foster Care 30% to THP-Plus

AB 12 allows for reallocation in the event that there is not sufficient demand in either the THP-Plus-Foster Care Program or the THP-Plus programs to fill the beds allocated for these populations

Scenario #1:

State General Fund

Federal Match

TOTAL Youth Served Annually

THP-Plus Foster Care (70%)

25,060,000

17,542,000

42,602,000

1,479

THP-Plus (30%)

10,740,000

-

10,740,000

373

35,800,000

17,542,000

53,342,000

1,852

Fully Leveraged; Maximum THP-Plus Foster Care Participation

Scenario #2:

State General Fund

Federal Match

TOTAL Youth Served Annually

THP-Plus Foster Care (28%)

9,991,296

6,943,104

16,934,400

588

THP-Plus (72%)

25,808,704

-

25,808,704

896

35,800,000

6,943,104

42,743,104

1,484

Not Fully Leveraged; Lower Level of THP-Plus Foster Care utilization

County Planning Process: Must Explain… How the county will provide for the THP-Plus-Foster

Care population

2. Assurances that up to 30 percent of the placements will be set aside for the THP-Plus population

3. Contingency for how THP-Plus placements will be reallocated in the event that there is not sufficient demand in either the THP-Plus-Foster Care Program or the THP-Plus programs to fill the beds allocated for these populations

Rate Structure

Requires CDSS to develop a rate-setting structure for THP-Plus Foster Care by January 1, 2011

Flat rate vs. variable rate Important to provide input

Outstanding Questions

AB 12 currently states 70%, not up to 70% When is the FY 11-12 county plan due? Is the current funding a floor or ceiling? How can we increase funding for older youth,

ineligible youth and youth who don’t want to participate in THP-Plus?

How can juvenile court jurisdiction and child welfare supervision contribute?