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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBOARD STANDING COMMITTEES - 11052012 - FHS Cte Agenda Pkt FAMILY AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE November 5, 2012 1:30 P.M. 651 Pine Street, Room 101, Martinez Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V, Chair Supervisor Candace Andersen, Vice Chair Agenda Items: Items may be taken out of order based on the business of the day and preference of the Committee 1. Introductions 2. Public comment on any item under the jurisdiction of the Committee and not on this agenda (speakers may be limited to three minutes). CORRESPONDENCE 3. Accept correspondence from the Mental Health Commission dated September 5, 2012. (Page 3) DISCUSSION 4. #92 – Local Child Care & Development Planning Council – Countywide Child Care Plan (Page 9) Presenter – Ruth Fernandez, Office of Education 5. #82 – Secondhand Smoke Ordinance (Page 15) Presenter – Denice Dennis, Public Health 6. #93 – Independent Living Skills Program Update (Page 29) Presenter – Valerie Earley, Director, Children and Family Services 7. #106 – Foster Youth Services Between 18 and 21 (Page 35) Presenter - Valerie Earley, Director, Children and Family Services The next meeting of the Family and Human Services Committee is scheduled for December 3, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. ☺ The Family and Human Services Committee will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities planning to attend Committee meetings. Contact the staff person listed below at least 72 hours before the meeting.  Any disclosable public records related to an open session item on a regular meeting agenda and distributed by the County to a majority of members of the Family and Human Services Committee less than 96 hours prior to that meeting are available for public inspection at 651 Pine Street, 10th floor, during normal business hours.  Public comment may be submitted via electronic mail on agenda items at least one full work day prior to the published meeting time. For Additional Information Contact: Dorothy Sansoe, Committee Staff Phone (925) 335-1009, Fax (925) 646-1353 dorothy.sansoe@cao.cccounty.us 2 Glossary of Acronyms, Abbreviations, and other Terms (in alphabetical order): Contra Costa County has a policy of making limited use of acronyms, abbreviations, and industry-specific language in its Board of Supervisors meetings and written materials. Following is a list of commonly used language that may appear in oral presentations and written materials associated with Board meetings: AB Assembly Bill ABAG Association of Bay Area Governments ACA Assembly Constitutional Amendment ADA Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 AFSCME American Federation of State County and Municipal Employees AICP American Institute of Certified Planners AIDS Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ALUC Airport Land Use Commission AOD Alcohol and Other Drugs BAAQMD Bay Area Air Quality Management District BART Bay Area Rapid Transit District BCDC Bay Conservation & Development Commission BGO Better Government Ordinance BOS Board of Supervisors CALTRANS California Department of Transportation CalWIN California Works Information Network CalWORKS California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids CAER Community Awareness Emergency Response CAO County Administrative Officer or Office CCHP Contra Costa Health Plan CCTA Contra Costa Transportation Authority CDBG Community Development Block Grant CEQA California Environmental Quality Act CIO Chief Information Officer COLA Cost of living adjustment ConFire Contra Costa Consolidated Fire District CPA Certified Public Accountant CPI Consumer Price Index CSA County Service Area CSAC California State Association of Counties CTC California Transportation Commission dba doing business as EBMUD East Bay Municipal Utility District EIR Environmental Impact Report EIS Environmental Impact Statement EMCC Emergency Medical Care Committee EMS Emergency Medical Services EPSDT State Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and treatment Program (Mental Health) et al. et ali (and others) FAA Federal Aviation Administration FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency F&HS Family and Human Services Committee First 5 First Five Children and Families Commission (Proposition 10) FTE Full Time Equivalent FY Fiscal Year GHAD Geologic Hazard Abatement District GIS Geographic Information System HCD (State Dept of) Housing & Community Development HHS Department of Health and Human Services HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act HIV Human Immunodeficiency Syndrome HOV High Occupancy Vehicle HR Human Resources HUD United States Department of Housing and Urban Development Inc. Incorporated IOC Internal Operations Committee ISO Industrial Safety Ordinance JPA Joint (exercise of) Powers Authority or Agreement Lamorinda Lafayette-Moraga-Orinda Area LAFCo Local Agency Formation Commission LLC Limited Liability Company LLP Limited Liability Partnership Local 1 Public Employees Union Local 1 LVN Licensed Vocational Nurse MAC Municipal Advisory Council MBE Minority Business Enterprise M.D. Medical Doctor M.F.T. Marriage and Family Therapist MIS Management Information System MOE Maintenance of Effort MOU Memorandum of Understanding MTC Metropolitan Transportation Commission NACo National Association of Counties OB-GYN Obstetrics and Gynecology O.D. Doctor of Optometry OES-EOC Office of Emergency Services-Emergency Operations Center OSHA Occupational Safety and Health Administration Psy.D. Doctor of Psychology RDA Redevelopment Agency RFI Request For Information RFP Request For Proposal RFQ Request For Qualifications RN Registered Nurse SB Senate Bill SBE Small Business Enterprise SWAT Southwest Area Transportation Committee TRANSPAC Transportation Partnership & Cooperation (Central) TRANSPLAN Transportation Planning Committee (East County) TRE or TTE Trustee TWIC Transportation, Water and Infrastructure Committee VA Department of Veterans Affairs vs. versus (against) WAN Wide Area Network WBE Women Business Enterprise WCCTAC West Contra Costa Transportation Advisory Committee __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 3 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 4 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 5 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 6 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 7   NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 8 M E M O R A N D U M DATE: October 29, 2012 TO: Family and Human Services Committee Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V, Chair Supervisor Candace Andersen, District II FROM: Ruth Fernández, LPC Coordinator/Manager, Educational Services CC: Contra Costa County Office of Education Dr. Joseph A. Ovick, Contra Costa County Superintendent of Schools Dr. Pamela Comfort, Associate Superintendent, Educational Services SUBJECT: Local Child Care and Development Planning Council – Comprehensive Countywide Child Care Plan - Referral #92 RECOMMENDATION (S): • ACCEPT the below written report of activities and accomplishments during calendar year 2011-12 for the Local Planning Council for Child Care and Development (LPC) as they relate to the implementation of the Comprehensive Countywide Child Care Plan 2008-2011 in the following goal areas: 1) Promoting access to quality child care, 2) Develop and nurture a trained workforce, 3) Foster and promote coordination and collaboration with the community, 4) Advise sponsoring entities on local issues and priorities in child care and development. • ACCEPT the attached LPC Summary of Self-Evaluation Findings in accordance to Education Code mandates for Local Planning Councils. BACKGROUND/REASON (S) FOR RECOMMENDATION (S): California Education Code (EC) Section 8231 requires the LPCs to prepare a comprehensive countywide child care plan designed to mobilize public and private resources to address identified needs. ACTIVITY: GOAL: AB212 Professional Development Program ƒ Pioneered Professional Learning Communities (PLC) Center-Based Program for Early Childhood Education Centers in Contra Costa County. Since the inception of the program in 2009 a total of 15 programs participated in the PLC Center-Based Program. The LPC provides “team stipends” to Programs engaged in intentional and purposeful activities to reach identified professional development goals, which support early learning for children before kindergarten entry. ƒ Provided services to 400+ Early Care and Education professionals countywide. Services include: Education planning, Child Development Permit processing and planning, professional growth advising, referrals to educational & training opportunities, coaching, mentoring, and resources. ƒ Awarded Annual Participation Stipends to 85 early care and education teachers in recognition of their commitment to quality improvement in their programs and professional development SUPPORT training and professional development of early care and education professionals NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 9 ACTIVITY: GOAL: ACTIVITY: GOAL: Parent Engagement & Education A Road Map to Kindergarten© ƒ Established Preschool-to-Kindergarten Adhoc Committee for planning & oversight of A Road Map to Kindergarten© Parent Guide. ƒ Developed public education and messaging campaign: Theory of Change and Community Awareness Letter ƒ Achieved local and statewide interest for A Road Map to Kindergarten© Parent Education Project – Trainer Seminar ƒ Integration of A Road Map to Kindergarten© Trainings in the AB212 Program Development Program as a concentration strand for Quality Improvement Measures for a State-Funded Programs ƒ Interest and use of the tool extends over 15 Counties and over 60 Early Care & Education programs statewide. ƒ Obtained 2011 Award of Excellence in Communication, California Schools Public Relations Association (CalSPRA) 2012 Annual Young Children’s Issues Forum: “Speak Out for Children: Educate & Advocate” ƒ Exceeded participation goal of 200 attendees ƒ Partnered with First 5 Contra Costa to create a short Documentary, titled: Your Story Matters! Documentary highlights the stories of low-income families currently receiving services from State Child Development programs and Title V programs, and perspectives from preschool teachers and a Center Director about current challenges faced by families due to the state budget cuts. ƒ Collected 120 advocacy cards from forum attendees to voice their concerns about children’s issues. Advocacy cards were hand-delivered to each of the State legislators who participated in the forum. ƒ Increased visibility of Forum locally and statewide. ƒ Developed credibility, commitment, and support of local elected officials, state legislators, and community leaders. ƒ Developed fundraising campaign to sponsor annual forum. Resource development for identified needs in the community. COLLABORATION with community organizations and government agencies. PROMOTE access to quality early care & education services. NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 10 ACTIVITY: GOAL: ƒ LPC is required to conduct a new Child Care Needs Assessment in fiscal year 2012-13. Upon completion of the Needs Assessment a new two-year Comprehensive Countywide Child Care Plan must be developed. ƒ Held first Community Stakeholder Input Sessions in Dec. 2011. ƒ Community partnerships and collaboration are leveraged to collect public data required to complete the needs assessment. ƒ Secure local sponsors and partners for completion of the 2012-13 Needs Assessment. ƒ Hire contractor to conduct needs assessment. ƒ LPC will continue to host additional Community Input Sessions to collect feedback from key stakeholders and match needs with identified local strategies and resources. ƒ Match programs, financial resources, and services to needs. ƒ Complete Needs Assessment and Comprehensive Countywide Child Care Plan by June 2013. Countywide Child Care Needs Assessment & Comprehensive Countywide Child Care Plan ASSESS County’s overall child care PREPARE countywide child care plan to mobilize public and private resources NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 11 California Department of Education Attachment 3 Child Development Division Page 1 of 2 CD 2935 (Revised August 2008) LOCAL CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT PLANNING COUNCIL PROGRAMS SUMMARY OF SELF EVALUATION FINDINGS Agency: Contra Costa County Office of Education ___Vendor Number: 1007 Agency Representative: Ruth Fernandez _____________ Title: LPC Coordinator Telephone Number: (925) 942-3413 Dates Reviewed: 11/05/2012 Compliance Items KEY DIMENSIONS FROM CALIFORNIA Education Code (EC) Compliant Non compliant 1. EC Section 8279.3 and 8499.5(b) Involvement in Local Priority Setting Process Parents, staff, Board of Supervisors, County Superintendent of Schools, LPC members, and the public at large participate in reviewing and evaluating core data elements and determine local priority areas of unmet child care and development services for all children. √ 2. EC Section 8499.5 Governance and Administration Policies, needs assessments, comprehensive child care and development plans, and administration of LPC categorical programs meet statutory requirements. √ 3. EC Section 8499.5 Funding Allocation and use of funds meet statutory requirements for allowable expenditures. √ 4. EC Section 8499.3 Standards, Assessment, and Accountability Categorical LPC programs meet state standards for membership certification. √ 5. EC Section 8499.3(f),(g) Staffing and Professional Development Staff members and LPC members are recruited, trained, assigned tasks, and assisted to ensure the effectiveness of the program. √ Mail this form to the LPC Consultant by November 15 of each year to: Child Development Division California Department of Education 1430 N Street, Suite 3410 Sacramento, CA 95814-5901 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 12 California Department of Education Attachment 3 Child Development Division Page 1 of 2 CD 2935 (Revised August 2008) Compliance Items KEY DIMENSIONS FROM CALIFORNIA EC Compliant Non Compliant 6. EC Section 8499.5 (3) Opportunity and Equal Educational Access All participants have equitable access to all programs provided by the LPC, as required by law. √ 7. EC Section 8499.5 (4),(5),(6),(7), (8) Collaboration Activities LPCs coordinate and collaborate with multiple partners to mobilize public and private resources to meet the identified local child care and development needs in their local communities. √ FINDINGS OF NONCOMPLIANCE (Attach additional pages as necessary to note all noncompliance findings) Item Noncompliance Findings 2. EC Section 8499.5 Last needs assessment was completed in 2006. A new needs assessment will be completed during FY 2012-2013. Strategic Planning for Comprehensive Countywide Plan is also in progress during the current fiscal year. NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 13 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 14 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 15 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 16 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 17 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 18 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 19 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 20 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 21 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 22 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 23   NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 24 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 25 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 26 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 27 NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 28 1 EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRA COSTA COUNTY TO: Family and Human Services DATE: November 5, 2012 Committee Members David Twa FROM: Terry Speiker, Interim Director, Employment and Human Services Department Valerie Earley, Director, Children and Family Services Bureau SUBJECT: Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) Recommendation Accept this report from the Employment and Human Services Department; and continue to support the Children and Family Services Bureau efforts to serve foster youth in the ILSP program. Background In 1999, the Foster Care Independence Act was passed by the Federal government. This legislation, sponsored by the late Senator John Chaffee, doubled funding for state-wide independent living (IL) programs. There was overwhelming evidence emerging that youth leaving foster care were in need of greater support from foster care into adulthood. Foster youth nationwide were found to have increased likelihood of early parenting, instability in relationships, not graduating from high school, lower school performance, increased health and mental health problems, homelessness, substance abuse, and a higher rate of unemployment. ILSP has been serving current and former foster youth for 24 years. For the past thirteen years the Children and Family Services Bureau of the Employment and Human Services Department has expanded the scope of services that the Independent Living Skills Program offers for 16 to 21 year old foster and emancipated youth as a result of this legislation. The ILS program has received recognition throughout the State of California and nation for its programs and youth services. NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 29 Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) 2011/2012 Program Report 2 Year at a Glance: Each year ILSP offers a variety of skill building and youth engagement activities in four major areas. The Four Pillars consist of Education, Employment, Housing and Well Being. ILSP provided weekly programming in three regions of the County – West, Central and East. This past year, of the over 750 youth eligible for ILSP, 524 current or former foster youth were served both individually and in group settings (i.e. workshops, classes, etc.), 289 youth (16-21 years of age) participated in the workshops offered. 211 emancipated youth (18-21 years of age) were served in the ILSP Aftercare program. Workshops are posted on the ILSP website throughout the year. http://www.cocoilsp.org/home.html The Four Pillars: Updates Housing Transitional housing for foster youth and emancipated foster youth continues to be delivered in Contra Costa County. Two providers served the in-care foster youth age 16-18 in transitional housing, called THPP. Four providers served emancipated youth, age 18-24, transitional housing called THP+. We currently have the capacity to serve 60 emancipated youth in THP+ and 12 in-care youth in THPP. With the passage of AB12, a new transitional housing placement option has been created. It is called THP+FC and will be funded by AFDC-FC funds as opposed to realignment funds. These programs will be licensed by Community Care Licensing and will serve 18-21 year olds who remain in Extended Foster Care. It is unknown how many will participate in THP+FC as these programs have not opened yet due to a delay in the state implementation. Employment ILSP continues to collaborate with the Workforce Development Board and the Contra Costa County Office of Education to provide a dedicated Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Case Manager that is housed at ILSP. The ILSP WIA Case Manager served 29 in school and out of school Youth this past fiscal year. The ILSP WIA Case Manager also conducts employment workshops alongside ILSP Specialists throughout the year. At a glance: NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 30 Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) 2011/2012 Program Report 3 • Provided work readiness training for summer program with Los Medanos Health Care District. • Provided a 3 week women's group along with an ILSP Specialist. • ILSP WIA Case Manager assists youth with obtaining pre-employment skills, subsidized and unsubsidized employment, academic support, and career planning and supportive services to further their employment and career goals. For the second consecutive year the East County Child Welfare Redesign Youth in Transition Committee, a Youth Internship program, provided 6 youth with little or no employment history a chance to gain work experience through the Los Medanos Health Care District. Upon completion of their internship, each youth received a certificate of completion and a $500 stipend provided by the Office of Education. Each ILSP Specialist assumes the role of providing employment workshops and one on one service delivery to all eligible youth in need of employment assistance. The ILSP Project YES program, an employment program that places foster youth in county agencies, is in its final year of funding through Conoco Phillips and we are aggressively seeking partners and alternative funding to sustain this worthwhile program. This program was previously funded by Supervisor Bonillia who was instrumental in helping to encourage county departments to hire ILSP youth as student workers. Education This past year 120 youth were identified to age out of the foster and probation systems. ILSP issued 92 Graduation Stipends for the class of 2012. In June of 2012, 60 youth and 300 guests and dignitaries were honored at the 24th Annual ILSP Recognition Dinner where 86 scholarships worth over $60,000 were awarded. For the 3rd year in a row, ILSP was fortunate to have the event fully sponsored by the community. The event was held at Calvary Temple Church and supported by a variety of vendors including Calvary Temple Church, The National Association of Social Workers, Sunrise Bistro, Classic Catering and the Wellness City Challenge. The event was quite a success. NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 31 Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) 2011/2012 Program Report 4 In addition to providing workshops on financial aid and taking tours of college campuses, ILSP has collaborated with the Assistance League of Diablo Valley to develop a Senior Sponsorship Program. This program is in its 4th year. As there are few funding streams to support extracurricular activities and expenses for foster youth, the program was designed to assist graduating seniors in participating in the typical events that were once difficult for caregivers to afford. The Assistance League fundraises through out the year and those funds are given as grants to 35 seniors, in the amount of $450. The Senior Sponsorship program funds such things as senior pictures, year books, prom tickets, and caps and gowns. It is well documented that foster youth are undereducated and often drop out of high school and lack basic educational skills. Supporting our foster youth to stay in school through such programs helps assist youth to strive to achieve graduation. Well-Being Youth in foster care often do not experience childhood in the way most children do who live with their families of origin. They have suffered child abuse and neglect, been removed from their families and many older youth spend the remainder of their childhood moving from home to home. Some youth in foster care miss out on participating in sports, arts, birthday parties, spending the night at friend’s homes, and the like. ILSP provides activities and supportive services to help encourage positive social development and exposure to typical childhood activities. Through excursions to sporting events such as the Oakland A’s and Raider’s games and field trips to bowling or swimming, foster youth are able to experience fun activities that the typical teenager experiences, but are also mentored in developing positive social skills and are further engaged in the ILS program. ILSP conducts Men and Women groups to discuss pertinent information such as sexual responsibility, accountability, decision making, goal planning and self esteem. NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 32 Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) 2011/2012 Program Report 5 Aftercare Prior to the passage of AB12, 100-120 foster youth would age out of foster care at age 18 or 19 years old annually in Contra Costa. At that point, they are on their own to support themselves. Some youth are able to remain with their foster parents or relatives, other youth are able to participate in the Transitional Housing Program, but many are not as fortunate and when the foster care funds ended they had no place to live. The State funded counties to provide supportive services to emancipated foster youth up to age 21 years old. This past year, 211 emancipated youth were served by ILSP. The needs of emancipated youth often revolve around the lack of a family support network. They often call in crisis, are homeless and in need of basic items like food and shelter. The foster youth who go off to college, are better off but still struggle at holiday breaks and summer, when the dorms are closed. The Contra Costa County ILSP aftercare program provides emancipated foster youth supportive housing, employment, educational, and crisis services. It is hoped that with the passage of AB 12 the issue for the youth leaving care will decrease the crisis calls for ILSP support. Fund Raising Efforts ILSP has successfully applied for and received grants to enhance service delivery. The PMI grant supplied 75 ILSP youth with a “Food Box” loaded with non-perishable foods that will last a week or two. ILSP also received a $15,000.00 grant through the Orinda Women’s Club that provided funding to enhance our after care program. The current state allocation for the entire aftercare program (300+ eligible youth) is $28,000.00 or $93 per youth annually if every youth was in need. ILSP will continue to seek funding opportunities and to collaborate with community agencies and the general public to fill the gaps for the young adults that the program serves. Legislation Finally, the most significant legislative change is the passage of AB12 California Fostering to Success Act in 2010 and AB 1712 in 2012 which amended AB 12. AB12 is California’s legislation that authorized foster care funding to be extended to youth age 21 and became effective in Jan of 2012. California’s law was based on the Federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. The extended foster youth in this age group are now called “non-minor dependents”. This designation was intended to acknowledge that these youth are legal adults who can and should; with the support of Child Welfare; make decisions regarding their life choices. NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 33   NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 34 EMPLOYMENT AND HUMAN SERVICES CONTRA COSTA COUNTY TO: Family and Human Services DATE: November 5, 2012 Committee Members David Twa FROM: Terry Speiker, Interim Director, Employment and Human Services Department Valerie Earley, Director, Children and Family Services Bureau SUBJECT: Assembly Bill 12 – California Fostering Connections to Success Act Recommendation Accept this report from the Employment and Human Services Department regarding the AB12 Fostering Connections to Success Act implementation in the Children & Family Services Bureau. Background The federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 made extensive policy and program changes to improve the well-being and outcomes for children in the foster care system including changes related to the extension of federal funding for foster care services for non-minors from ages 18-21, if they meet certain participation criteria. Participation by states is optional. California chose to participate in the optional federal program and enacted Assembly Bill 12 (“AB 12”), which was amended by Assembly Bill 212 (in 2011) and further amended by AB 1712 (in 2012). AB 12 was authored by Assembly Member Jim Beall, Jr. and Speaker Emeritus Karen Bass, and is also known as the California Fostering Connections to Success Act. AB 12 was signed into law by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 30, 2010 and AB 212 was signed on October 4, 2011 as an urgency measure (meaning its provisions took immediate effect). AB 1712 was signed on September 30, 2012 and the provisions in AB 1712 will take effect on January 1, 2013. Components of AB12 The California Fostering Connections to Success Act allows California to take advantage of several components of the federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act to: NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 35 California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB12) 2012 Program Report 2 1. Convert California's Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program (Kin- GAP) into a federally subsidized program. By doing so, the federal government will now pay a 50% share of cost for federally eligible participants, saving the state tens of millions of dollars in state general funds 2. Provide foster care benefits (also known as AFDC FC benefits) for eligible youth beyond age 18 and, at full implementation, up until the age of 21. These youth would be known as “Non-minor Dependents” (NMD) ; 3. Provide extended Kin-GAP assistance or Aid to Adoptive Parents (AAP) assistance to eligible youth up to age 21, provided the Kin-GAP payments began, or the initial AAP agreement was signed when the youth was age 16 or older; 4. Provide CalWORKs benefits to eligible foster youth beyond age 18 and, at full implementation, up to the age of 21 when the foster youth is placed with an approved relative and is not eligible for federal AFDC- FC benefits. 5. Provide extended foster care benefits up to age 21 to youth living with a non-related legal guardian when the guardianship was created by the juvenile court (regardless of the age of the youth when guardianship was ordered). Under the AB 12 legislation, starting January 1, 2012, youth could continue to participate in extended foster care until age 19. Beginning January 1, 2013, youth could continue to participate in extended foster care until age 20. Beginning January 1, 2014, youth could participate in extended foster care until age 21. On June 27, 2012, the governor passed SB1013 a Budget Trailer bill, which closed the gap for those youth who would have had to exit foster care at age 19. This bill allowed those youth who exited solely because they were 19 to re-enter foster care after July 1, 2012, and removed the phase-in process. On June 27, 2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed the California State Budget Bill for 2012-2013 which guaranteed the extension of foster care to age 21. Prior to the budget bill being passed, the final extension to 21 required additional legislative appropriation, but because of this bill, that legislative action has now occurred and the extension to 21 is guaranteed. The extension to age 21 takes effect January 1, 2014. NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 36 California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB12) 2012 Program Report 3 Eligibility for AB12 Participation In addition to meeting the age requirements of turning 18 on or after January 1, 2012, the youth must agree to reside in an approved or licensed placement, meet with the social worker or probation officer monthly, participate in a Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) and participate in one or more of the following: 1. Completing high school (secondary education) or an equivalent program (i.e. GED); 2. Enrolled in college, community college or a vocational education program; 3. Participating in a program or activity designed to remove barriers to employment; 4. Employed at least 80 hours a month; 5. If they are unable to do one of the above requirements because of a medical condition they are still eligible. Re-entry Participation in AB12 is voluntary for foster youth. Some youth may chose to exit at 18 or any point after 18. However, each NMD who has opted out of extended foster care has the option to re-enter foster care at a later date prior to reaching the maximum age limit. A NMD can re-enter by signing a Voluntary Re-entry Agreement with the county child welfare agency or by petitioning the juvenile court (through a 388(e) petition) to have the court resume dependency or transition jurisdiction. Placement Options The non-minor must agree to reside in an approved or licensed placement. The placements available to youth participating in extended foster care after age 18 include: 1. Home of a relative or NREFM (approved); 2. Foster family home (licensed) – including whole family foster homes and regional center homes; 3. Foster Family Agency certified home (licensed); 4. Home of a non-related legal guardian (approved by the juvenile court); 5. Group home, (licensed) subject to new limitations discussed further below; 6. THP+Plus Foster Care (licensed); 7. Supervised Independent Living setting (SILP) (approved). NOVEMBER 2012 FHS PACKET - PAGE 37 California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB12) 2012 Program Report 4 In general, a youth may continue living in the same setting that s/he was living in prior to turning 18 or the NMD can live in another placement. The goal is for the NMD to transition to the least restrictive placement in preparation for exiting foster care. As was true before the youth turned 18, the setting where the youth lives must continue to be either an approved or licensed foster care setting, depending on the type of placement or facility. SILP The Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) is a new placement option for youth age 18 -21. A SILP is a supervised setting as specified in a NMD’s Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP). This may include apartment living, room and board arrangements, college dorms and shared roommate settings. There are two steps in approving a SILP placement for an individual NMD. First, the NMD must undergo a readiness assessment prior to being approved to live in a SILP. Second, the actual SILP placement itself must be approved by the county as meeting health and safety standards appropriate for legal adults. A youth placed in a SILP may receive the foster care benefit directly. The payment for a youth living in a Supervised Independent Living Placement is equal to the basic foster care rate for 15 – 21 year olds, currently $799 per month (rate is based on the California Necessity Index (CNI) which is reviewed annually on July 1). NMD’s who are parents will receive additional funding support for their child/ren. Out of County/Out of State A NMD has the right to reside out of county or out of state and still qualify for extended foster care benefits. For NMDs who reside in a different county or state, the county of jurisdiction retains case management and financial responsibility for the NMDs, but the county of jurisdiction may request that the host county provide courtesy supervision or the host state provides supervision under the Interstate Compact for the Placement of Children. The host counties or states are not required to provide such supervision. Monthly visits still need to occur between the social worker and the NMD. Demographics As of October 19, 2012, there are 68 NMDs. Of those, 33% are residing in Supervised Independent Living Placements. Approximately half are African American (48%) and approximately 40% have been in foster care over 10 years. AGENDA PAGE 36 California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB12) 2012 Program Report 5 Challenges AB 12, 212, 1712 and SB 1013 have wide spread implications to the Child Welfare system and is challenging how the system serves older youth. 3 One of those challenges is regarding the funding for the program. The addition of funds has only been to cover the federal portion of the youth’s foster care payment. The program was designed to move the State funds for the previously emancipated youth, ages 18 -24 in the THP+ program to the new AB 12 population. Those funds combined with the newly authorized Federal IV-E dollars were intended to cover the county and state share for youth in this program. For counties like Contra Costa County who had established THP+ programs, the youth in the THP+ program would need to leave the THP+ housing at the same rate as new youth entering extended foster care. This was not the case for us as many of our youth in the THP+ program were not eligible (they were too old) for extended foster care and still had a year or two of eligibility in their THP+ program. Given those realities Contra Costa County continues to have a group of youth in THP+ housing and a 99% rate of youth who are choosing to remain in care; therefore there has been no offset of cost between the two programs at this time. 3 Foster care caseloads have been decreasing over the past five+ years. We anticipate an additional 100 NMDs by the end of 2012 and 100 more youth each year for the next 2 years who will choose to remain in care. This will continue to be a challenge as this population is a change in who child welfare has primarily served in the past. Additional concerns with serving this population is the lack of permanent connections that the youth are being encouraged to forgo because they will get more (financial support) if they remain in care. While AB 1712 attempted to ensure that reunification with parents and adoptions continue to be the most desirable option for these youth; at this time the focus for many are on the resources that are available. We will continue to be challenged to ensure that older youth don't remain in care because of these incentives and are returned to the care of parents or find permanence before becoming AB 12 young adults. The program was intended to be a support for those youth who could not find permanence through reunification, guardianship or adoption; it has the unintended potential to grow the foster care population for older youth. 3 A final challenge has been the slow release of All County Letters to counties from the State which provide policy guidance and continuing modifications to the program through legislative fixes. AGENDA PAGE 37 California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB12) 2012 Program Report 6 Anticipated Benefits 3 Increased time for youth to find permanent adult connections or find permanency. AB1712 allows for adult adoption, so some adults may find permanency after 18. 3 Increased safety net. It’s anticipated that fewer young adults from foster care will be homeless, a decreased risk for incarceration and pregnancy/early parenting and increased rate of high school completion and higher education attendance. 3 Increased time for teaching of living skills. ILSP remains available for NMDs and those living with caregivers will have more time to practice practical living skills such as budgeting, shopping, laundry, etc. Conclusion The passage of AB12 has had a significant impact on the Child Welfare system. Contra Costa County has worked steadily to stay on top of the implementation of AB12. Internally, an AB12 workgroup has met monthly, sometimes bi-monthly, since the Fall of 2010 when the bill was passed. It has also met with community partners and provided overview training to the community, which it anticipates continuing. The learning curve is steep with AB12. The child welfare agency, probation department, courts and community are challenged to keep up with the ever changing regulations and set in place policies and protocols that inform our staff, how to serve this new population. CFS has no desire to grow the number of youth who are eligible for AB 12. We will continue to focus on finding permanence for youth with their parents, family or other adults who are willing to commit to the children that we serve. AGENDA PAGE 38 Independent Living Skills Program (ILSP) 2011/2012 Program Report 6 Studies have shown that foster youth who stay in care to age 21 have better outcomes than their counterparts who emancipate at age 18. The State of California has developed regulations and rules to implement this new law over the past year. Although ILSP has been serving this population for years they will now be serving them with the addition of a social worker, or probation officer, attorney, Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and court oversight. We are in the process of identifying the training needs of non-minor dependents and will adjust our curriculum accordingly. Summary/Conclusion To date, we have 231 eligible ILSP youth (ages 16 to 21). Currently 30% (approximately 70) have chosen to remain in foster care past their 18th or 19th birthday where in the past they would have left foster care. It is anticipated that there will be 100 non-minors in foster care by the end of 2012. As mentioned, all of the current programming is applicable for those youth under 18, the emancipated youth and the new “non-minor dependent” youth. We will continue to adjust our model of support for youth as the needs change with the addition of AB12. AGENDA PAGE 39