SUPERVISED INDEPENDENT LIVING FOR FOSTER YOUTH

Hosted By:FosteringConnections.org

National Association of Public Child Welfare AdministratorsJim Casey Initiative

Welcome and Overview

Webinar features and Q&A tools Overview of FosteringConnections.org Remarks by Leonard Burton, Jim Casey Initiative Summary of Supervised Independent Living options in

the Fostering Connections Act Presentations by State Child Welfare Representatives Discussion Wrap-up

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Webinar logistics and Q&A

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About FosteringConnections.org

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Nonpartisan data and resources on each section of the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 A user-friendly website at www.fosteringconnections.org serves as a central clearinghouse

of customized tools and information, such as policy and budget analyses, an up-to-date list of federal guidance, implementation toolkits, research briefs, and examples of best practices and legislative approaches.  

Individualized technical assistance  FosteringConnections.org responds directly to questions from state and tribal leaders and

can connect decision makers with other experts and TA providers

Monitoring of implementation activity Visitors to www.fosteringconnections.org can stay up-to-date on federal regulatory activity

on implementation, events in the field, congressional oversight hearings and learn about best practices and state and tribal approaches to implementation

Opportunities to communicate with experts and peers  Join our LinkedIn Group, Subscribe to our Newsletter, join webinars, and stay informed

about major events and conferences hosted by FosteringConnections.org and its many collaborating organizations.

Fostering Connections Act: Option to Extend Care Beyond Age 18 At least 12 states are implementing

extended care options beyond age 18 Child Welfare representatives from 4 states

will share their state approaches to Supervised Independent Living

Support and Leadership of Jim Casey Initiative

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Introducing Today’s Speakers

Dennis Blazey, Consultant to FosteringConnections.org Leonard Burton, Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative Theresa Thurmond, California Department of Social Services Debra Williams, California Department of Social Services Nancy White Martinez, New York State Office of Children & Family

Services Kathleen Hiniker, Minnesota Department of Human Services Stephen Vonderharr, Minnesota Department of Human Services Kara Teeple, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Birdell Fry, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Kim Peck, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

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LEONARD BURTON JIM CASEY YOUTH OPPORTUNITIES INITIATIVE

Jim Casey Youth Opportunities Initiative

Emerging ScienceEmerging AdulthoodEmerging Systems

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DENNIS BLAZEYTECHNICAL EXPERT TO FOSTERING CONNECTIONS.ORG

The Fostering Connections Act

Amended 42 USCA 672 (c)(2), effective October 1, 2010

Redefines the term “child care institution” with regard to children who had attained the age of 18 to include “...a supervised setting in which the individual is living independently, in accordance with such conditions as the Secretary shall establish in regulations....”

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What the law changed

What the Act changed for States: created a new IV-E reimbursable placement setting

category in those States that take the option to extend foster care assistance past the age of 18

What the Act didn't change for States:  it did not expand IV-E eligibility for any child living in

such a placement setting it did not expand the scope of what IV-E will

reimburse as a foster care maintenance cost.

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HHS Regulation, Policy & Guidance On July 9, 2010, HHS issued non-promulgated program guidance

to States as part of Program Instruction 10-11 ACYF-CB-PI-10-11 addresses “Supervised Independent Living

Settings” In order for the title IV-E agency to provide title IV-E foster care maintenance

payments, an otherwise eligible child age 18 or older must be placed in a licensed foster family home, child-care institution, or a supervised setting in which the individual is living independently per section 472(c)(2) of the Act.

The title IV-E requirements for foster family homes and child care institutions apply if a youth age 18 or older is placed in such a setting, including provisions for licensure or approval, background checks and safety considerations (see sections 471(a)(10) and 471(a)(20)(A) and (B) of the Act and 45 CFR 1355.20 and 1356.30). Cont’d…

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Taking the Option: Opportunities for States/Youth A title IV-E agency has the discretion to develop a range of supervised independent

living settings which can be reasonably interpreted as consistent with the law For example, a title IV-E agency may determine that when paired with a

supervising agency or supervising worker, host homes, college dormitories, shared housing, semi-supervised apartments, supervised apartments or another housing arrangement meet the supervised setting requirement.

We encourage the title IV-E agency to be innovative in determining the best living arrangements that could meet an older child's needs for supervision and support as he/she moves toward independence.

We further encourage a title IV-E agency to continue to work with youth who are in supervised independent living settings to form permanent connections with caring adults. This could take the form of determining whether guardianship, adoption or living with other caring adults remains appropriate options for an older youth, and if so, helping the youth to work towards those outcomes.”

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Taking the Option: What it means for Foster Care Maintenance Payments The title IV-E agency must provide an eligible child a title IV-E foster care

maintenance payment consistent with section 475(4)(A) of the Act / 45 CFR 1355.20.

The items of cost in the foster care maintenance payment definition in the law and regulations are the same for a youth of any age. Such payments must be paid through a foster parent, child placement or child care agency, a child care institution or the supervised setting as required by section 472(b) of the Act.

Foster care maintenance payments must be paid through the provider (i.e., the foster parent or child care institution) or child-placing/caring agency, unless the child is age 18 or older and living independently in a supervised setting in foster care.

For a youth age 18 or older living independently in a supervised setting, there may be situations in which no actual provider or other child placing intermediary is involved. In those situations the title IV-E agency may (but is not required to) pay all or part of the foster care maintenance payment directly to the youth.”

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Let’s Hear from the States

Representatives from four states will share their policy approaches to implementing Supervised Independent Living, describing issues such as: A description of allowable settings Approach to licensing Definition of Supervision Foster Care Maintenance Payments Connection to Chaffee Connection to Educational Training Vouchers (ETV) Difficulties, Changes and Barriers

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CaliforniaTheresa Thurmond, Manager, Independent Living Program Policy Unit, California Department of Social Services Debra Williams, Foster Care Eligibility and Rates Chief, California Department of Social Services

FOSTERING CONNECTIONS TO SUCCESS STATE OF CALIFORNIASupervised Independent Living Placement (SILP)

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AB12 Legislation18

Authors – Office of Speaker Karen Bass Office of Assembly Member Jim Beall AB12

Signed in to law 9.30.2010 Effective 1.1.2012

AB212 Amends AB12

Basic Overview19

Extends foster care for eligible youth – referred to in CA as Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs)

Eligible 18 year olds in foster care as of 1.1.2012 can remain in foster care and entitled to benefits up to age 19

Up to age 20 starting 1.1.2013

With legislative approval, up to age 21 starting 1.1.2014

Current Placements20

Approved relative (including California Work Opportunities and Responsibility to Kids),

• Non-Related Extended Family Member (NREFM),

• Foster Family Home (FFH), Foster Family Agency (FFA),

• Small Family Home,

• Whole Family Foster Homes,

• Group Home (under limited circumstances),

• Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) (under limited circumstances)

New Placements21

Transitional Housing Placement (THP) Plus Foster Care

Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP)

SILP22

These placements can include: Apartments (alone or with roommates) Single Room Occupancies (may have

shared bathrooms and/or kitchens) Renting a room Dorms/university housing

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SILP placements are for NMDs who are developmentally ready to live independently or in a less restrictive environment (such as renting a room) with less intensive services.

SILP Details24

Placement type must be specified in the Case Plan

Placement must meet the developmental needs of the NMD

Remain Court Dependents under the supervision of the County Child Welfare or Probation Agency

Continue monthly face to face contact with social worker or probation officer

County Approval25

Approving a SILP is a two step process:

Approving the physical unit The SILPs need to meet basic health and safety standards. A re-assessment of SILP unit must be conducted annually to

ensure no significant damage has occurred to the residence that compromises the safety of the unit.

Assessing the NMDs Readiness The assessment should indicate whether or not the NMD has

knowledge of financial skills and is developmentally ready (both mentally and emotionally) to handle daily tasks on their own such as: grocery shopping, preparing meals, budgeting, managing money, paying bills, etc.

Note: College Dorms do not need to be pre-approved.

Foster Care Payment26

Basic Foster Care Rate Does not include Special Care Increment

(SCI) Parenting NMD’s can receive Infant

Supplement Can be paid directly to NMD or to a third

party such as the landlord

Tribal SILP27

For SILP units that are on or near a reservation, for which the tribe is the approving agency, SILPs are similar to tribally approved homes and are not subject to the same approval standards.

Tribes have the independent authority to approve a SILP using their own socially and culturally appropriate standards pursuant to the Indian Child Welfare Act, 25 United States Code section 1931, which provides that tribally approved homes are deemed equivalent to licensing or approval by a state.

The SILP checklist has been adapted for tribal use, if the tribes choose to use the form.

Roommates28

NMD have the freedom to choose their roommates and it is important for the case managers to guide NMDs about how to select appropriate roommates/housemates, particularly if the roommate(s) they choose is someone they do not know well.

Only the NMD can ask their roommate to have a background clearance.

New YorkNancy Martinez, Director, Office of Strategic Planning & Policy Development, New York State Office of Children & Family Services

A state supervised, locally administered child welfare system

Foster Care Settings for Older Adolescents

Supervised Independent Living Program (SILP) Trial Discharge Supervision Until 21 (youth may refuse) New York law has for many years permitted youth

to remain in care until age 21 With approval of the Title IV-E Plan Amendment,

federal funds are now available for eligible cases

Supervised Independent Living Settings in New York

A foster care setting for older youth in foster care who will be discharged to his/her own responsibility

Are licensed and supervised by voluntary agencies certified by NYS OCFS regional offices to operate a SILP program per regulations

Individual SILP units are certified annually by the agency.

Apartment like settings

Maximum State Aid Rates

State OCFS sets rates of reimbursement for SILP programs Rates cover administrative case planning activities in addition

to basic care and maintenance associated with the SILP unit, primarily food, clothing, shelter and supplies

Rate-related program types Double occupancy Triple occupancy Four-bed mother-child

Rates are updated annually or as needed Counties must pay 100% of OCFS-established SILP rate for

maintenance and administration

SILP Eligibility & Requirements

Youth: Must be between the ages of 16 and 21 Must have been in care for at least 45 days prior

to being placed in a SILP or is returning to care from a trial discharge status

SILP unit capacity: No more than 4 youth including their children

Supervision: Staff must visit youth 2 times per week; one visit per week must be outside of regular business hours

Examples of SILP in NYS

Catholic Charities Elmira

Two phase program- provides an array of services will take youth from all over state will take pregnant and parenting youth, and

will take adults well established in the community

Examples of SILP in NYS

First phase- Youth housed in agency building with 24 hour staffing Requires youth to save half their earnings Second phase- when able to budget $, and live on their own youth moves to

apartment in the community youth must have a job, and no longer need 24 hr supervision 2-3 contacts made per week by staff Agency has good relationship with landlords in the community Uses a HUD grant to help youth who have aged out In most cases agency will match youth savings at discharge

(one youth left with car)

Examples of SILP in NYS

Gateway-Longview – Buffalo Built an apartment complex and has scattered

sites. Can house up to 20. Mom and child, or dad and child Provides services on grounds, and teaches

skills on grounds Staffed till 10 pm, security guards after 10 pm

Examples of SILP in NYS

Home Space – Buffalo Females only including pregnant and parenting

females Youth can come from across the state but must

come through their “Second Chance” group home to ensure they are ready for community living.

Youth apartments are on site in enclosed agency building.

Security provided. Guests sign in. Center has resource center and tutoring and

provides lots of services.

Trial Discharge

Youth must be between 18 and 21 Local department of social services retains custody of youth Youth not eligible to receive clothing allowance or IL stipends 6 month trial discharge required for every youth discharged

(APLA with a Permanency Resource) Purpose: A safety net for the youth, until new law was

enacted permitting youth to re-enter care after final discharge between ages 18-21, trial discharge enabled youth over age 18 to re-enter foster care

Custody can be extended at each permanency hearing to age 21

Casework contacts and service plan assessments/reviews

Supervision Until 21

When custody ends (final discharge): county must maintain supervision of youth until youth is 21 (youth may refuse)

Supervision includes: casework contacts & referral to needed services

Education and Training Vouchers (ETVs) Since the ETV program began in FFY 2003:

OCFS funds about 800 students per year FFY 2010-2011: $2.8 million in ETV funds

799 students funded Only 4% of funds used for housing

Chafee Room and Board Services Not widely used by counties Counties may use up to 30% of Chafee

allocations for expenditures related to rent, ongoing maintenance, furnishings, and start-up costs in renting an apartment

Required supervision: Monthly contacts until youth maintains housing/adequate income for 6 months - -then quarterly contact

Additional Issues

New York law provides that foster care funds may be used to pay for college housing costs, up to the amount a foster family would be paid for caring for that youth.

Strengths of overall SILP and IL programming: fosters independence for youth while offering a safety net of foster care services and supports.

MinnesotaKathleen Hiniker, Social Services Program Consultant, Adolescent Services Unit, Minnesota Department of Human ServicesStephen Vonderharr, Social Service Program Supervisor, Adolescent Services Unit, Minnesota Department of Human Services

IL Settings MN Allows – Policy Objectives Particular setting for youth shall be selected

based on youth’s best interest and individual determination of their needs.

Assess youth’s needs, goals, and personal preference.

Develop a range of SIL settings that meet need for supervision and support as they move toward independence.

Include apartments, dorms, host homes or other innovative ideas.

Settings MN opted not to operationalize Received some inquiries from counties

wanting to know if a youth returning to live with a biological parent or a youth living with a significant other, could be considered a SILS. We did not allow those settings.

Does MN consider/allow remote/out-of-state settings? Yes, but agency needs to ensure appropriate

supervision – minimally one face-to-face visit each month.

May be possible to arrange through Interstate Compact for Placement of Children (ICPC).

Special approval/licensing standards other than FC settings SILS are not required to be licensed.

MN definition/operationalization of supervision Minnesota is a state supervised/county

administered system so it is up to counties to determine the level of supervision a youth living in a SILS may need. However, a county does need to ensure there is a minimum of one face-to-face visit per month and a youth’s safety and well-being are being assessed.

Foster Care Maintenance – amounts and payees All youth in extended foster care, including SILS,

remain eligible for foster care maintenance payment.

The rate for all youth in SILS is the basic maintenance foster care rate plus any assessed difficulty of care.

Agency may pay all or part of the foster care maintenance payment directly to the youth. This flexibility allows the agency to help youth adjust to independent living and learn to budget and pay bills.

What would MN do differently?

Bring other divisions to the planning table earlier such as SACWIS, courts, financial assistance, mental health, etc…

Realize that implementing extended foster care is a work in process and policies may need to be tweaked. We cannot completely foresee how new policies will affect existing policies.

Changes MN is considering

We are receptive to guidance and tools used in other states regarding assessment of a youth’s readiness to live independently.

Intersection with Chafee IL option

Yes, for living expenses that exceed basic maintenance and difficulty of care rate.

Post-secondary, role of ETV

For youth currently in extended foster care receiving an ETV, ETV’s do not cover room and board. It is expected that the placing agency will cover room and board through the basic maintenance rate and assessed difficulty of care. Prior to extended foster care to 21, ETV’s routinely helped pay for room and board.

Post-secondary, role of ETV, cont. Minnesota amended its ETV application to

discern costs between IV-E maintenance and other post-secondary related expenses. This has helped county workers to understand the parameters of fostering connections extended care.

IllinoisKara Teeple, Deputy Director, Division of Placement and Permanency at Illinois Dept. of Children and Family Services Birdell Fry, Federal Claiming, DCFS, Division of Budget and Finance Kim Peck, Transitional Services Administrator, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services

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Fostering Fostering Connections WebinarConnections Webinar

Illinois’ Services/Supports for Youth Illinois’ Services/Supports for Youth

Age 18 – 21Age 18 – 21

Independent and Transitional Independent and Transitional Living ProgramsLiving Programs

April 12, 2012April 12, 2012

IDCFS PresentersIDCFS Presenters

Kara Teeple, Deputy Director, DCFS, Kara Teeple, Deputy Director, DCFS, Division of Placement and Division of Placement and Permanency Permanency Kara.Teeple@illinois.gov

Kim Peck, Transitional Services Kim Peck, Transitional Services Administrator, DCFS, Service Administrator, DCFS, Service Intervention Intervention Kim.Peck@illinois.gov

Birdell Fry, Federal Claiming, DCFS, Birdell Fry, Federal Claiming, DCFS, Division of Budget and Finance Division of Budget and Finance Birdell.Fry@illinois.gov

Who is Eligible? Judicial Oversight?

All youth in care at age 18 are eligible to remain in care.

Case automatically closes at age 19, unless petition court to remain open.

Youth in Cook County tend to remain in care vs. downstate tend to close earlier.

One court system in Cook County.

Active GAL system in Cook County.

Services / Supports for Older Youth

Office of Education and Transition Services

OETS Transition Managers

Community College Payment Program

Youth in College / Vocational Training Program

Youth in Scholarship Program

Education and Training Voucher

Youth In Care Website (www.youthincare.illinois.gov

)

Services / Supports for Older Youth

Care Package Program Employment Incentive Program Life Skills Program Specialized Services for Pregnant /

Parenting Youth Statewide and Regional Youth Advisory

Boards Annual Youth Summits

Services / Supports for Older Youth

Contracts with Service Providers for: Education Advisors Mentoring Job Skills / Placement E-Learning Program Transitional Jobs Program Culturally Based Life Skills Program Alternative Schools Placement/Support

Program Education Services Internship Program

Trial Discharge Services

Effective 1/1/2010 Who is eligible:

Former youth in care over age 18 Case closed due to emancipation prior to age 21

Youth Responsibility: Must cooperate with assigned case manager Must participate in an education or training program of

his or her choice Services Terminate When:

Youth becomes 21 Youth no longer consents to participate Achieves self-sufficiency as identified in the trial

discharge agreement

Trial Discharge Stats to Date

From 01/01/2010 - 12/20/2011: 26 youth cases that were re-opened 58 youth contacted the Department and

Either were found ineligible OR The youth had made multiple requests to re-enter

care—declining on their initial request and later accepting (in some cases)

Where are youth placed?

Independent Living Programs Transitional Living Programs Foster Care / Home of Parent or Relative Youth in College/Vocational Training (YIC) Youth in Scholarship (YIS) Placement Alternative Contract (PAC) Residential Group Home Detention / Corrections

Transitional Living Programs

Age 17 ½ to 20½ at entry Treatment needs are manageable with the ongoing assessment

of needs and the active engagement of the youth by agency staff, as well as other adult support and the support of community based treatment resources

Foster care is not a viable option for meeting the youth’s needs; and Permanency goal of Independence

Youth should be working towards obtaining their high school diploma or GED

Programs prepare youth for transition to ILO or emancipation TLP services are most typically provided to youth living in a

group care or aggregate apartment setting that is owned or leased by a private agency provider.

Illinois Independent Living Programs

For youth 19 and older who have:• demonstrated the capacity for self-sufficiency• graduated from an accredited high school or obtained

GED and are employed or employable. Program:• will assist youth in selecting sustainable housing and

employment while enhancing their educational and or vocational preparation.

• will teach youth budget skills and youth are expected to maintain their own budget, assuming increasingly greater responsibility for their own living expenses. Youth will be financially self sufficient by age 20.5

TLP & ILO Case Management and Supervision TLP services include 24 hour on-site staff

supervision. TLP staff are residential advisors whose primary function is to support the youth in learning skills and developing relationships that increase the likelihood of success in adulthood. Caseload ratio 1:8.

Youth in ILO can reasonably be expected to live autonomously and without daily staff oversight, Caseload ratio 1:10.

Performance Based Contracting in ILO/TLP: Three broad outcomes related to placement stability and discharge:

1.) Transitional Living Placement Stability Rate (TLPSR)

2. Discharge Potential Rate (DPR) 3. Indicators of Self-Sufficiency (ISS):

a. Educational/Vocational Rate b. Employment Rate c. Financial Stability – Avg. Monthly Funds Available

TLP Maintenance Payment – What Does It Include?

TLP includes: Aggregate Housing with 24/7 monitoring Caseload ratio 1:8 Monthly allocations for allowance,

emancipation fund, clothing, food, phone and transportation

ILO includes: Agencies will initially make 100% of payment on

apartment, 50% by end of first quarter, and by the last quarter youth paying should be paying 100%.

Initial monthly allocation for allowance, clothing, food, phone and transportation

Appropriate furniture upon entry into the program with the expectation the furniture follow the youth

Initial security deposit Caseload 1:10

ILO Maintenance Payment – What Does It Include?

Fostering Connections Impact on Chafee

Prior to Fostering Connections, as much as 30% of the Chafee dollars spent on Youth 18 and over, covered Room and Board

Being able to now cover Room and Board costs with regular Title IV-E Foster Care, allows more of the Chafee dollars to be used for Education and Job Training supports

Youth in College / ETV / & Fostering Connections

Youth enrolled and attending an accredited post secondary program, and living "on campus" or in some type of school based housing, are generally required to be in the Department's Youth in College / Vocational Training (YIC) Program.

YIC/VT is a very independent placement for youth enrolled full time in an accredited post secondary program; must earn a 2.0 GPA each term/semester; receive $471 monthly grant. (the grant maybe reimbursable under Title IV-E Foster Care)

Youth can access the Education and Training Voucher Program for approved post secondary expenses.

Up to $5000 per year Must be attending an accredited post secondary program Tuition, fees must be paid first; then funds can be awarded for transportation,

books, supplies, computer (must have completed at least one semester with a 2.0 GPA)

If youth is receiving YIC monthly board payment, ETV cannot be accessed for room and board, except for deposit and first month's rent (if have remaining ETV funds available)

What Changes Is Illinois Considering?

Programmatically: Looking at program design of Transitional Living and the service

supports that are needed to sustain youth and move youth towards Independence. The model was designed using community resources for service supports.

Looking at youth residing in stable foster care settings and building in the transition to adulthood supports in the home working with the foster caregiver. There is a notion that a youth must move to Transitional Living or Independent Living to get these skills.

Eligibility and Claiming: Requiring Older Youth Cases to be “Re-Opened” as Their Own Case,

(Family of One) Entering Into Youth Agreements so Youth Clearly Understand What is

Expected for Illinois DCFS Support to Continue Better Defining Medically Unable to Work or go to School

Major Challenges

$$$$$$

Caseworker knowledge / awareness of available programs / resources.

Youth resistance / willingness to cooperate with services.

Geographical issues / barriers / beliefs.

QUESTIONS

Dennis Blazey, Consultant

Thank you & please come again

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- Hope Cooper, Child Trends/FosteringConnections.org, hcooper@childtrends.org