Monthly THP-Plus/THP+FC Conference Call

Thursday, May 9 th : 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

AGENDA

Welcome and introductions THP+FC

 Practice discussion: role of dependency attorney in THP+FC  Lindsay Elliott, Children’s Law Center of California  Issue of timeline for youth re-entering extended foster care in 2013  Alex, Atkinson, First Place for Youth  Deadline for THPP providers becoming THP+FC providers approaching  Update on the number of providers

THP-Plus

 Update from THP-Plus statewide workgroup

Next call, Announcements & Upcoming Events

 Thursday, June 13 th

Lindsay Elliott

Children’s Law Center

Role of the Dependency Attorney in THP+FC

 Legal representation for youth (parents and county have own lawyers)  Confidential relationship (different than social worker)  Independent investigation  Advocacy not limited to placement and reunification – education, employment, housing, preparation for independence, and more

Common Questions

 Why does a NMD have an attorney?

 How is the role of the attorney for an NMD different than for a minor?

 Can a program representative speak directly with the youth’s attorney about the youth’s case?

 How often will a youth in my program meet with their attorney?

 How can I help a youth find out who a their attorney is? What if the social worker won’t respond?

 Does a youth have the right to meet with their attorney, other than in court?

 Is it important for a youth to go to court? Why?

 What should I do if the youth doesn’t agree with his or her attorney’s recommendation or interpretations of eligibility?



Other questions??

Alex Atkinson

First Place for Youth

Issue of timeline for youth re-entering EFC in 2013

I have a program much like THP-Plus, where we work with youth who have exited foster care. A number of my youth have opted out of extended foster care but would like to re-enter. Some of these youth turned 18 in 2011, but their cases were held open until January 1, 2012 so that they remained eligible for extended foster care. Because they voluntarily opted out, they will need to re-enter prior to their 20 th birthdays this year, otherwise they will have to wait until January 1, 2014 to re-enter when AB 12 is fully implemented and foster care is extended to age 21. What should my next steps be?

Eligibility for Extended Foster Care:

• • • AB 12 extended foster care to age: 19 in 2012 20 in 2013 21 in 2014 In July 2012, SB 1013 was passed to prevent youth who had been receiving aid continuously from being discharged due to turning age 19 in 2012 and age 20 in 2013.

Youth who did not receive aid continuously are still subject to the implementation schedule above. In the example provided, the youth would need to re-enter prior to their 20 th birthday. If they do not, they would need to wait until January 1, 2014 when the age is extended to 21.

The Re-entry Process

Youth contacts child welfare agency Signs voluntary re entry agreement (SOC 163) Aid begins on date youth signs agreement and resides in a qualified placement Initial meeting with social worker temporarily satisfies participation conditions Agency has 15 court days to file petition (388 (e))

Deadline for THPP providers becoming THP+FC providers approaching

FROM ALL COUNTY LETTER 13-09

The conditions that the provider must meet to avoid being penalized for exceeding the age limit of their THPP certification and license by continuing to serve a NMD placed prior to age 18, are that the provider has done the following: (1) (2) (3) has submitted a request for THP+FC certification and the updated Plan of Operation to the applicable county by May 1,

2013

has submitted an application for a revised license with an updated Plan of Operation to serve NMDs and the county certification to the appropriate CCLD Regional Office by June 1,

2013

intends to apply for the THP+FC rate by August 1, 2013 http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/lettersnotices/EntRes/getinfo/acl/2013 /13-09.pdf

Deadline for THPP providers becoming THP+FC providers approaching

FROM ALL COUNTY LETTER 13-09, con’t

This authorization to continue serving a NMD placed prior to age 18 under a THPP certification will continue until August 1, 2013.

After August 1, 2013, a provider can only serve NMDs if it has been certified as a THP+FC Program and has an updated license.

http://www.dss.cahwnet.gov/lettersnotices/EntRes/getinfo/acl/2013 /13-09.pdf

Update on the Number of THP+FC Providers

as of 5/1

 13 approved providers (*10 are THP-Plus providers)  Aspiranet*  Bill Wilson Center*  Changed Lives, Inc./Krista Foster Care  Children First, FFA*  Environmental Alternatives*  Family Care Network, Inc.*  Olive Crest  Redwood Children’s Services*  Sunny Hills Services-Bay Area Youth Centers  TLC Child and Family Services*  Unity Care Group*  Youth & Family Programs*  Youth for Change* 

17 pending

Counties with current THP+FC programs

 Alameda  Butte  Colusa  El Dorado  Lake  Lassen  Mendocino  Orange  Plumas  San Joaquin  San Luis Obispo  Santa Barbara  Santa Clara  Shasta  Sonoma  Tehama

Next Call, Announcements & Upcoming Events

  Update from the Statewide THP-Plus Workgroup  Next call is Thursday, June 13 th Ideas for topic of next call