Transitional Housing Program for Emancipated

1 Transitional Housing Program for Department of Social Services Transitional Housing for Foster Emancipated (CDSS). This information must be Youth Fund. Foster/Probation (THP-Plus) included in the proposed plan. Upon If the Transitional Housing for Foster review and approval of the proposal Youth Fund is depleted, the county The THP-Plus is a Transitional Housing by the Independent Living Program shall pay the State share of the rate. placement opportunity for Emancipated Policy Unit's staff, the county may foster youth, aged 18-24, who begin the review and certification of Funding for THP-Plus Services, Emancipated from the child welfare agency plans. Room and Board system. The goal of the Program is to Send or e-mail a letter of intent to provide a safe living environment while CDSS. The State will fund 100 percent of the helping youth achieve self-sufficiency so Submit rate information to CDSS.

2 Nonfederal portion of the rate through that they can learn life skills upon Develop and submit a plan to CDSS the Transitional Housing for Foster leaving the foster care support system. which meets the requirements of Youth Fund. The 60 percent county Counties electing to participate in the Welfare and Institutions Code match of the nonfederal portion has Program provide supervised Sections 16522 through been eliminated. independent living Housing and support services. Participants may live alone, Regulations regarding THP-Plus can be found at THP-Plus Eligibility with departmental approval, or with roommates in apartments and single- or THP-Plus eligible youth are young family dwellings with regular support Receive a plan-approval letter from adults who have Emancipated from provided by THP-Plus agency staff, CDSS. foster/probation care and are 18.

3 County social workers and ILP. through 24 years old, and are coordinators. Support services include THP-Plus Rate pursuing the county-approved goals regular visits to participants' residences, they have developed in the educational guidance, employment Pursuant to Welfare and Institutions STEP/THP-Plus TILP. counseling and assistance reaching Code Section 11403(a)(2), the rate for emancipation goals outlined in Participation in THP-Plus is subject THP-Plus shall not exceed 70 percent of participants' Transitional Independent to: county participation in the the average RCL payment the county Living Plan (TILP), the case plan Program , the availability of safe and pays to group homes for foster youth 16. emancipation readiness document. affordable Housing , and the to 18 years old, contingent upon the Several counties have approved plans availability of Program providers.

4 Following conditions: and are implementing the THP-Plus. The maximum time for THP-Plus Funding shall be subject to the participation is 24 cumulative County THP-Plus Implementation sharing rations specified in Welfare months. Procedure and Institutions Code Section 15200. Transitional Independent Living Plan The State portion of the rate shall be (TILP). Counties must pre-approve all providers prior to submission of the subject to the availability of the proposal to the California Each participant in THP-Plus will utilize utilized by a THP-Plus provider as goals described in their STEP/THP- a STEP/THP-Plus TILP which describes accommodations for Emancipated Plus TILP;. the educational/vocational, or other foster youth. Services for THP-Plus participants goals related to self-sufficiency, mutually are not discontinued without due agreed upon by the youth and the THP-Plus Agency Certification process.

5 County welfare, probation department, or Standards THP-Plus participants have the right independent living coordinator. The to be free from arbitrary or capricious youth must be participating in the Providers of THP-Plus will apply for rules, the right to understand all rules activities identified in the STEP/THP- county certification rather than a CDSS in writing and in appropriate Plus TILP. The TILP shall be updated license. Providers will submit a THP- languages and formats, the right to annually. Participants are responsible Plus Program plan to counties, and to appeal any loss of benefits or for informing the county whenever CDSS, for approval. THP-Plus services before they are suspended changes occur that affect payment of agencies' Program plan must, at a (unless imminent physical harm to aid, including changes in address, living minimum, ensure that: someone would result), and the right circumstances, and educational, career to a grievance procedure.

6 And training programs . The Program will only serve eligible THP-Plus participants' right to youth;. THP-Plus Program Models confidentiality is respected. This The Program will not discriminate on right applies to dissemination, the basis of race, gender, sexual programs certified under these storage, retrieval and acquisition or orientation, or disability, and that identifiable information. The agency regulations shall be designed to youth who were wards of the court, will not release information about a provide a safe and adequate and youth receiving psychotropic participant's receipt of services residence and allow participants a medications shall be eligible for without a written release from the maximum amount of independence consideration in the Program and participant: and self-sufficiency. shall not be automatically excluded Acceptable residential units include THP-Plus participants' right to due to these factors (Welfare and apartments, single family dwellings, privacy is respected.)

7 Information will Institutions Code Section condominiums, college dormitories, be requested of participants only (a)(1));. and host family models. when the information is specifically The agency will, with the assistance necessary for the provision of Publicly supervised or privately of a county designee, assist each services. THP-Plus participants will operated shelters, or other living youth in the completion of the goals not be required to supply personal situations, including those with and activities described in the CDSS information as a condition of friends, family members, and others STEP/THP-Plus TILP form; obtaining services without written that provide temporary The Program plan includes a documentation verifying the accommodation, are not acceptable. description of the Program , and how necessity of the information.

8 Public or private places not ordinarily it will ensure that participants live The agency will comply with used as a regular sleeping area are independently and accomplish the California landlord/tenant law (Civil not acceptable, and may not be Code Section 1940, et seq.) and/or No more than two THP-Plus under the heading Children and Family the Transitional Housing Misconduct participants share a bedroom; Services, Foster Care Reports. Also, Act (Health and Safety Code Section THP-Plus participants are given a AB 2972 (Chapter 1074, Statutes of 50580, et seq.); choice regarding what services to 2002), AB 1354 (Chapter 46, Statutes of The Program plan includes a access, and the location of the 2002), AB 1119 (Chapter 639, Statutes description of the THP-Plus services (on-site or off-site), as long of 2002), and AB 427 (Chapter 125, participation application process and as the goals of the STEP/THP-Plus Statutes of 2001) allow Housing to be selection criteria; TILP are being met; set aside for Emancipated foster/probation youth, and other youth The STEP/THP-Plus TILP is updated When funds are retained by the at risk of homelessness based on at least annually and as needed to provider on behalf of the tenant, the gender or age (up to 24 years old).

9 For reflect necessary changes; provider shall ensure that these additional information or regulations, THP-Plus participants will be allowed funds are deposited in an interest please go to the greatest amount of freedom bearing savings account in any bank possible in order to prepare them for or savings and loan institution whose self-sufficiency; deposits are insured by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation or the Criminal background checks will be Federal Savings and Loan Insurance required for all agency employees;. Corporation. The principal and The THP-Plus Program is clearly interest shall be distributed to the distinguishable from those that tenant when he/she leaves the should be licensed as an Adult Program , or earlier if permitted by the Residential Care facility under Health THP-Plus Program guidelines. For a and Safety Code Sections full description of all regulations 1502(a)(1) or (a); for the CDSS's Transitional Applicable provisions of Welfare and Housing Placement Program , Institutions Code Section please refer to: regarding THP-Plus requirements are incorporated into the plan; programs will comply with applicable Federal, State, and local Housing Conclusion laws and fire clearance requirements; For additional information regarding the The Housing provided to participants Housing needs of Emancipated needs of has reasonable access to schools, foster youth, you may need to refer to employment-appropriate supportive The Report on the Housing Needs of services, shopping, and medical Emancipated Foster Youth which may care; be found on the Department's website Transitional Housing .

10 Program FOR. Emancipated . FOSTER/PROBATION YOUTH. For further information, please contact Sonya St. Mary, Chief, Foster Care THP-Plus Support Services Bureau, or Cynthia Guilford, Transitional Housing Coordinator, at: CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT. OF SOCIAL SERVICES. California Department of Social Services Independent Living Program Policy Unit CHILDREN AND FAMILY. Transitional Housing Coordinator SERVICES DIVISION. 744 P Street, 14-78. Sacramento, CA 95814 CHILD AND YOUTH. (916) 651-7465 PERMANENCY BRANCH. (916) 657-4357 FAX. INDEPENDENT LIVING Program . POLICY UNIT.