Transcript Monthly THP-Plus/THP+FC Conference Call

THP-PLUS/THP+FC
MONTHLY CONFERENCE CALL
Thursday, February 13th:
10:00 to 11:00 a.m.
AGENDA
Welcome and introductions
Medi-Cal Enrollment for Current & Former Foster Youth
 Guest presenter: Jessica Haspel, Children Now
THP+FC
 Update on the number of providers
 Update on the location of programs
THP-Plus
 Quarterly report from the THP-Plus Participant Tracking System
 THP-Plus Capacity Chart
 Update on advocacy video
Sign-On Letter Regarding Relative Caregivers
HEALTH COVERAGE FOR YOUTH IN
THP-PLUS
Approximately
650 youth
Uninsured: 29%
Insured: 71%
MEDI-CAL ENROLLMENT FOR FORMER
FOSTER YOUTH
Guest Presenter:
Jessica Haspel, Child Welfare Policy Associate
Children Now
[email protected]
MEDI-CAL ENROLLMENT FOR FORMER FOSTER
YOUTH
The Affordable Care Act extended Medi-Cal to age 26 for
youth who were in foster care at age 18 or older. (Effective
1/1/14)
 California Dept. of Health Care Services issued
Informational Letter 14-05

http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medical/eligibility/Documents/MEDIL2014/MEDILI14-05.pdf
CWDA Desk Aid
http://thpplus.org/wp2/wpcontent/uploads/2014/02/FFCC-Desk-Aid-3.pdf
CA’S FORMER FOSTER CARE CHILDREN’S (FFCC)
PROGRAM: THEN AND NOW
Former foster youth (FFY) are enrolled in the Medi-Cal coverage
group for Former Foster Care Children.
Pre-ACA
FFY 18-21 eligible for
Medi-Cal FFCC coverage
CA Bridge Funding
FFY turning 21 between 7/1/13
- 12/31/13 maintain Medi-Cal
FFCC eligibility until 26
ACA-Jan. 1, 2014
Extension takes full effect!
FFY 18-26 are eligible for
Medi-Cal FFCC
CALIFORNIA’S INSTRUCTIONS TO COUNTIES




Counties are instructed to enroll youth who were in foster care at age
18 or older in any state.
Until the automated systems are reprogrammed eligibility workers
must manually override the system to assign the appropriate aid
code to former foster youth 21 or older.
No income determination conducted (eligibility is based on being in
foster care on 18th birthday, age 18-26, and CA residency).
Youth who personally attest to having been in foster care at age 18
should be enrolled in Medi-Cal immediately while county verifies
eligibility.
WHAT’S COVERED FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH
UNDER MEDI-CAL?
 Medical care
 Vision exams
 Substance abuse treatment
 Mental health services and counseling
 Dental care starting in May 2014
 Coverage for youth under 21 also includes Early and Periodic
Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment services (EPSDT).
HOW DO ELIGIBLE YOUTH SIGN UP?
 Best way to apply is directly through the county, in-person at the
local Medi-Cal office with the MC 250A form:
http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/formsandpubs/forms/Forms/mc250a20
14.pdf
 Children Now developed a list of contacts in each county for
Medi-Cal:
http://www.childrennow.org/uploads/documents/Coveredtil26_
CountyContactList.pdf
 Right now, youth are likely to experience significant barriers if they
try to apply through Covered CA or online
CHILDREN NOW’ COVEREDTILL26 WEBSITE HAS
TIPS FOR WHEN YOUTH APPLY
Former foster youth:





should be enrolled in the Former Foster Care Child (FFCC) coverage
group
should be assigned the “4M” code
do NOT have to provide income information
do NOT have to fill out the full Medi-Cal application (just MC 250A form)
do NOT have to provide proof that they were in foster care at age 18 –
the county will verify
Additionally, it may help to bring Informational Letter 14-05 and to write down
the CA law that expanded coverage (California Welfare and Institutions Code
Section 14005.28).
BENEFITS TO ENROLLING IN THE FORMER FOSTER
YOUTH COVERAGE GROUP
Youth eligible for Medi-Cal based on their former foster youth status are
enrolled in Medi-Cal under the “4M” aid code.
Benefits of Coverage under the “4M” Program:
 Youth are eligible for fee-for-service Medi-Cal, which means they can get care
from any Medi-Cal provider.
 Youth maintain coverage until age 26 (simplified redetermination process)
 No income requirements = youth stay covered in Medi-Cal regardless of income
changes.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Children Now launched
website to inform foster youth
about the Medi-Cal extension:
For trainings on the new
policy, contact:
• http://coveredtil26.childrennow.org/
• Jessica Haspel, [email protected] or
Fatima Morales, [email protected]
California Youth Connection
and National Youth Network
created educational video on
the policy:
• http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medical/eligibility/Documents/MEDIL2014/MEDILI14
-05.pdf
If youth have trouble applying
for Medi-Cal they can contact
the Foster Care Ombudsman:
• 1-877-846-1602 or
[email protected]
UPCOMING WEB SEMINAR ON MEDI-CAL
EXTENSION FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH
Children Now and Youth Law Center are hosting a web seminar,
“Medi-Cal coverage until age 26 for former foster youth”
Thursday, February 27th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Register here:
https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/89054804916685
75233
THP-PLUS FOSTER CARE (THP+FC)
THP+FC PROVIDER GROWTH
40
33
Number of THP+FC Providers
35
30
27
34
35
35
Oct
Nov
38
38
38
Dec
Jan
Feb
28
25
18
20
15
12
10
5
5
1
1
Oct
Nov
13
15
7
0
2012
Dec
Jan
2013
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
2014
1
LOCATION
OF THP+FC
HOUSING
Siskiyou
Yolo
Humboldt
3
2
2
1
1
Placer
Solano
Alameda San Francisco
Santa Cruz
Lassen
Plumas
2
1
Glenn
Sutter
1
1
Shasta
Tehama
Mendocino
Sonoma
Del Norte
2
1
Lake
1
1
1 2
X
1
Contra Costa
San Luis Obispo
Stanislaus
Merced
Fresno
Tulare
1
1
Santa Barbara
1
Ventura
X
3
6
Orange
 Counties with high # of NMDs
 Counties with high # of NMDs without THP+FC
San Joaquin
Mariposa
2
2
Sacramento
Santa Clara
1
Monterey
Nevada
El Dorado
1
1
4
6 11
4
1
2
Butte
San Diego
San Bernardino
Los Angeles
3
2
3
Riverside
THP-PLUS
THP-PLUS PARTICIPANT TRACKING SYSTEM
Quarterly Report
Covers period of October 1 – December 31, 2013
Data on sample of 538 THP-Plus participants
EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF THP-PLUS PARTICIPANTS
11%
2%
3%
Working
46%
38%
Not Working, Seeking
Employment
Not Working, Not Seeking
Employment
Determined Unemployable, SSIeligible, Other
Unknown
Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants
INCOME STATUS OF THP-PLUS PARTICIPANTS
 Average monthly income: $913.81
 Average hourly wage: $9.28
 51% report receiving at least one form of public benefit
 25% report receiving another form of financial support
Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants
EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF THP-PLUS
PARTICIPANTS
6%
38%
Currently Enrolled
Not Currently Enrolled
Unknown
56%
Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants
OF THOSE ENROLLED (38%) IN SCHOOL, WHAT
DEGREE ARE THEY PURSUING?
13%
22%
HS Diploma/GED/HS
Equivalency
AA/AS
BA/BS
65%
Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants
STATUS OF PARENTING, INSURANCE, PERMANENT
CONNECTIONS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT




21% of participants are custodial parents
71% report having health insurance
92% report a permanent connection with an adult
6% of participants have been incarcerated or detained in
adult criminal justice system since entering THP-Plus
 6% of participants have had an adult misdemeanor or
felony conviction since entering THP-Plus
Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants
CHANGES FROM 6 MONTHS PRIOR,
QUARTER ENDING 6/30/13
Jun. 30,
2013
Dec. 31,
2013
Decrease in percentage reported they were employed
48%
46%
Increase in reported hourly wage
$9.22
$9.28
Increase in reported average monthly income
$895.55
$913.81
Decrease in percentage reported receipt of public benefits
55%
51%
Increase in percentage reported receipt of other financial support
19%
25%
EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
CHANGES FROM 6 MONTHS PRIOR,
QUARTER ENDING 6/30/13
EDUCATION
Jun. 30, Dec. 31,
2013
2013
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Jun. 30, Dec. 31,
2013
2013
Increase in percentage reporting
being enrolled in school
35%
38%
Decrease in percentage reported 23%
they were custodial parents
21%
Increase in percentage reported
having graduated from high school
76%
78%
Decrease in percentage reported 74%
they had health insurance
71%
THP-PLUS CAPACITY CHART
THP-Plus Capacity Chart
lists providers with open
THP-Plus slots, and
providers with waiting
lists.
Also lists contact info so
providers can coordinate
with one another about
referrals.
28
providers
report
open beds
10
providers
report
waiting
lists
Total of 120
open beds
& 70 youth
in need of
housing
CLARIFICATIONS FROM CDSS LEGAL:
FEBRUARY 2014
The California Department of Social Services has provided the following
clarifications regarding accepting out-of-county youth into THP-Plus:
 Eligible youth may participate in a THP-Plus program in any county with an
approved THP-Plus plan.
 Any county with an approved plan may elect to accept a youth from another
county into their program.
THP-PLUS CAPACITY CHART
OPEN BEDS
County
Organization
Alameda
Beyond Emancipation
# Open Beds
Updated
County
Organization
# Open Beds
Updated
6
12/20/2013
WAIT LISTS
# on
Waitlist Updated
County
Organization
Alameda
Abode Services
8
12/19/2013
Butte
Youth and Family
Programs
2
12/18/2013
Butte
Youth for Change
1-2
12/17/2013
Imperial
Imperial Valley Regional
Occupational Program
10
12/17/2013
Los Angeles C.H.A.I.N. Reaction, Inc.
4
12/21/2013
1/14/2014 San Bernardino
Aspiranet
1/9/2014
San Diego Youth
Services
2
12/18/2013
Contra Costa Co. HSD 1 female bed, 1
Contra Costa Homeless Continuum of Care gender neutral bed 12/19/2013 San Diego
South Bay Community
Services
7
12/18/2013
El Dorado
Tahoe Turning Point
9
1/23/2014 San Diego
YMCA of San Diego
County
1
12/17/2013
Humboldt
Redwood Community Action
Agency
5
1/17/2014 San Francisco
Edgewood Center for
Children and Families
Los Angeles Rosemary Children's Services
1
12/17/2013 San Francisco
First Place for Youth
Los Angeles St. Anne's
1
12/17/2013
San Francisco
Larkin Street Youth
Services
Marin
Alternative Family Services
1
12/18/2013
San Francisco
The Salvation Army
8
12/17/2013
Los Angeles Richstone Family Center
29
12/18/2013
Monterey
Peacock Acres
5
12/17/2013 San Joaquin
Aspiranet
6
12/17/2013
Napa
Progress Foundation
2
12/17/2013 San Luis Obispo Family Care Network
San Gabriel Children's
Los Angeles Services
5
12/30/2013
10
12/20/2013
Orange
Aspiranet
7
12/18/2013 San Mateo
Star Vista
5
1/14/2014
Orange
New Alternatives
2
12/18/2013 Sutter
Children's Hope FFA
5
12/19/2013
Placer
Whole Person Learning
5
12/19/2013 Yolo
Yolo County DESS
2
12/17/2013
Alameda
Riverside
Fred Finch Youth Center
Aspiranet
10
3
4
San Diego
12/20/2013 Yuba
Children's Hope FFA
3 slots for youth
with host families 2/6/2014
6
1/20/2014
Will have open
beds in March 1/28/2014
2
12/19/2013
Santa Clara Bill Wilson Center
unknown 12/30/2013
Sonoma
TLC Child and Family
Services
7
1/9/2014
Ventura
Ventura County Child
and Family Services
2
12/19/2013
THP-PLUS CAPACITY CHART
THP-Plus Capacity
Chart available at
• http://thpplus.org/thp-plus-bedvacancies/
If you are a THP-Plus
provider and have not • https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/THPreported your current
Plus-Capacity-Chart
bed status to JBF, visit
THP-PLUS ADVOCACY VIDEO
John Burton Foundation is developing a 2-3 min. video on THP-Plus:
 Who does THP-Plus serve?
 What does THP-Plus provide?
 Why is THP-Plus necessary?
 Where would former foster and probation youth be without THP-Plus?
In early March JBF will disseminate to providers for their own advocacy use
SIGN-ON LETTER TO CALIFORNIA STATE
LEGISLATURE REGARDING RELATIVE
CAREGIVERS
SIGN-ON LETTER TO STATE LEGISLATURE RE:
RELATIVE CAREGIVERS
Under current foster care funding rules:
 A relative caregiver receives a foster care benefit only if the
child is federally-eligible.
 If not federally-eligible, relative caregiver applies for state
welfare benefit (CalWORKs).
 If non-federally-eligible child is placed in non-relative foster
home or group home, however, they will receive state foster
care benefits.
WHY DOES THIS MATTER?
By denying relative caregivers foster care benefits, we are placing
children into deep poverty  the CalWORKs grant for a single child
is equal to just 37% of poverty level!
INEQUITY IN MONTHLY RATES
Relative Foster Parent
Non-Relative Foster Parent
Federally-Eligible 15-Year Old
$820/month
$820/month
Non-Federally-Eligible 15-Year Old
$351/month
$820/month
Non-Federally-Eligible 15-Year Old Who is a
Regional Center Client
$351/month
$2,162/month
Non-Federally-Eligible Sibling Set of 3 (ages
15, 16 & 17)
$714/month
$2,460/month
SIGN-ON TO THE LETTER!
Sign onto a letter to the California State Legislature asking them to
change this arbitrary and irrational foster care funding rule that places
many foster children living with relatives into deep poverty.
To sign-on, follow this link to enter your organization’s contact
information. (Individuals can sign on as well).
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C6S6JFK
Deadline to sign on to the letter is TUESDAY, FEB. 18th!
For more information about this issue, contact Angie Schwartz at [email protected]