Resources to Support Foster Care Youth in Their Transition to Adulthood

Ohio Youth Advisory Board2012 Ohio CASA Conference

Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio (O.H.I.O.)

The OHIO Youth Advisory Board exists to be the knowledgeable statewide voice that influences policies and practices that effect all youth who have or will experience out of home care.

Plunging into young adulthood, without family support

Lacking family privilege

Point of Transition Between Youth and Adult Systems

Disconnection

Child Mental Health Adult Mental

Health

Child Welfare

Special Education

Juvenile Justice Criminal Justice

Substance Abuse

Vocational Rehabilitation

Housing

Lacking consistency in terms of support

Percentage of foster care youth who report experiencing homelessness after “aging out” of care: ____

Percentage of homeless adults who spent time in foster care as children: ____

Percentage of Chafee funds that counties can use for funds for housing for emancipated foster youth: ____

Housing outcomes for our young people, without support

Percentage of foster care youth who report experiencing homelessness after “aging out” of care: 20% (one in five)

Percentage of homeless adults who spent time in foster care as children: 25% (one in four)

Percentage of Chafee funds that counties can use for funds for housing for emancipated foster youth: 30%

Housing outcomes for our young people, without support

Percentage of foster care youth who express a desire to attend college: ____

Percentage of foster youth who are enrolled in college prep courses: ____

Percentage of foster youth who graduate from college: ____

Higher Education outcomes for our young people,

without support

Percentage of foster care youth who express a desire to attend college: 75%

Percentage of foster youth who are enrolled in college prep courses: 15%

Percentage of foster youth who graduate from college: Less than 2%

Higher Education outcomes for our young people,

without support

How can CASA volunteersadvocate to keep youth afloat?

What’s an Exit Plan?

*a.k.a.

• “Discharge/Case-Closing Plan”• “Self-Sufficiency/Emancipation Plan”• “Transition Plan”• “Personalized Transition Plan”

Federal Legislation

Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008

Title II, Section 202

• Mandates that 90 days prior to emancipation from foster care, “a caseworker on the staff of the State agency, and, as appropriate, other representatives of the child provide the child with assistance and support in developing a transition plan that is personalized at the direction of the child, includes specific options on housing, health insurance, education, local opportunities for mentors and continuing support services, and work force supports and employment services, and is as detailed as the child may elect.”

Ohio Administrative Code

Ninety days prior to the youth’s emancipation from the agency’s custody, the PCSA or PCPA shall work with the youth to develop a final transition plan.

The plan shall be youth-driven and as detailed as the youth chooses.

Vital Documents

Prior to the youth’s emancipation from the agency’s custody, the PCSA or PCPA shall coordinate with the following agencies, to obtain necessary documents:

an original birth certificatean original social security carda current state identification card

*OAC 5101:2-42-19: “Requirements for the provision of independent living services to youth in custody”

Essential Elements

• Post-Emancipation Services (if available)

• Healthcare; insurance, power of attorney

• Higher Ed; secondary, post-secondary

• Housing; obtaining, paying for

• Budgeting; credit report

• Selective Services (males must register)

• Existing Court Fees (preexisting)

• Existing Benefits; i.e. Social Security

Healthcare for Emancipated Youth

• FCASPL 183 (Ind. Living Transition Plans)

• Family, Children, and Adult Services Procedure Letter No. 183, sent out by Director Lumpkin on October 5, 2009

• The plan must include a completed Medicaid application

Know Your Role

Resources you can advocate for:“Name That Logo”

Asking the Right Questions…

WIA One-Stop Centers

WIA funds can be used to pay for:

• Job readiness, ongoing job skill inventory, improvement and support

• Balancing a checkbook, using the ATM, creating a budget

• Tutoring, credit recovery, and test preparation

• Tuition at colleges, universities, and certified trade schools

• And more… (i.e. tattoo removal)

1998 Workforce Investment Act

Three categories:• Student who is an orphan, in foster care, or a

ward of the court, at any time when the student was 13 years of age or older

• Student who is an emancipated minor or is in legal guardianship as determined by the court in their state of legal residence

• Applicant is verified as an unaccompanied youth who is homeless or at risk of homelessness and self-supporting

Definition of an “Independent Student”

2007 College Cost Reduction and Access Act

Benefits for eligible foster care youth

• The ETV program is a federally-funded, state-administered program that provides grants up to $5,000 per year to assist former foster youth pursing higher education.

• This includes college and vocational training institutions.

• Funds can be used for: Tuition, books, textbooks, and living expenses.

• To learn more, visit: ohio@statevoucher.org

A current, or former foster youth who: – Was in foster care on their 18th birthday and aged

out at that time; OR– Was adopted from foster care with the adoption

finalized AFTER his/her 16th birthday; OR– Will have his/her foster care case closed between the

ages of 18 and 21.

• At least 18, but younger than 21, to apply for the first time.

• Already accepted or enrolled in a degree, certificate or other accredited program at a college, university, technical, vocational school.

• To remain eligible for ETV funding, students must show progress toward a degree or certificate.

• Students remain eligible for ETV up to age 23 if they received ETV funding prior to their 21st birthday.

Eligibility for ETV Funds

Chafee funding can be used to pay for:

•Housing (up to 30% of allocation)•College Textbooks•Transportation•Credit Recovery•All fees associated with GED, SAT, ACT•All fees associated with Post Secondary Education Enrollment•And more….

John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

Who can we depend on?

Who are the people of importance in each young person’s life?

Permanency Pact

Permanency Pact

It is critical to the youth’s success to identify those adults who will continue to provide various supports through and beyond the transition from care.

Clarifying exactly what the various supports will include can help to avoid gaps in the youth’s safety net and misunderstandings between the youth and the supportive adult(s).

• A home for the holidays• A place to do laundry• An emergency place to stay• Care packages while in college• Storage• Someone to discuss problems with• A phone or computer to use