Training Guide for Supervisors: Training Tools for Unit Meetings
Facilitator’s Guide
Version 1.0 | September 7, 2012
Fostering Connections After 18 Training Guide for Supervisors:
Training Tools for Unit Meetings
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Segment / PageBackground 3
How to Use this Guide 4
Topic 1: Basics of Eligibility 5
Topic 2: Extended Foster Care Case Management 18
Topic 3: Court Procedures 26
Topic 4: Placement Procedures 44
Topic 5: Working with Young Adults 54
Prepared by Shared Vision Consultants in conjunction with the Child and Family Policy Institute, Funded by the Stuart and Walter S. Johnson Foundation
Background
Foster youth leaving the foster care system at age 18 are more likely to be underemployed, experience poverty, have unplanned pregnancies, and experience the adult criminal system.
In order to counter some of these poor outcomes, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act (also known as After 18 or AB12) was signed into law on September 30, 2010. The legislation went into effect on January 1, 2012 and initiated major changes for the child welfare system including providing extended foster care for eligible youth ages 18 to 21.
Values and Principles in Action
Fostering Connections / After 18 is guided by the following principles:
§ Value Permanency
§ Help youth transition to lifelong connections
§ Create a collaborative youth-centered process
§ Work proactively with youth to develop and reach independent living goals
§ Allow youth to gain real life experiences with independence and allow them to learn from their mistakes
§ Be a safety net for the most vulnerable youth so they can achieve success living as independent adults
Anticipated Benefits
§ Permanency is promoted for foster youth
§ Enables youth to maintain a safety net of support while experiencing independence in a secure supervised living environment
§ Youth will be better prepared for successful transition into adulthood
Model for the Future
This far reaching legislation has been analyzed and synthesized to create a newly emerging Extended Foster Care system. Partnering to create this system has been innovative and a model of achievement for others to emulate. With vision and leadership by CDSS, AB12 Co-Sponsors, CWDA, and Foundations, this program is sure to be a true safety net for the most vulnerable in our society!
How to Use this Guide
Audience: social workers assigned to work with transitional aged youth 16 and older.
Tools Provided: Unit Meeting agenda, guide for discussion, and tips for supervision
Identification and Development of Training Topics
The five topics included in this training guide were identified through a comprehensive survey implemented to all 58 California Counties[1]. The following topics were identified as the highest priorities by the 37 child welfare agencies and 45 probation departments who completed the survey:
1. Basics of Eligibility
2. Case Management
3. Placement
4. Court Procedures
5. Working with Young Adults
Implementation of Training
Each module has been developed to cover a 60-75 minute time period, ideally suited for the unit meeting format. These modules help set the stage for a more intimate, comfortable discussion of the topic. Each module has specific preparatory instructions and prior to each segment, the supervisor should review the outline, review any identified reading material, prepare handouts (agenda and attachments included), and alert the unit to the topic so they can come prepared to ask questions specific to any young adult they might have on their caseloads. Additionally, some modules specifically call for the discussion of current cases. The supervisor should also plan for on-going question and answer and wrap up time at the end. These modules are developed to be stand-alone topics and can be introduced in any order. For example, a supervisor can cover one topic per month for a total of five months.
Topic 1: Basics of Eligibility
Topic Overview
This topic (Basics of Eligibility) includes the following content:
§ Overview of Fostering Connections law including guiding principles
§ Information about who is eligible by population (comparison chart)
§ Participation criteria
§ Paperwork and processes
§ Monitoring participation and reasonable efforts
§ Role of supervisor
§ Starting the process
· How and when to have this conversation
· Practice tips for using current teaming models
§ Vignettes
Tools Provided
§ Unit meeting agenda (print out the agenda provided on the next page)
§ Discussion guide (use this guide as your talking points as you move through the agenda during the meeting)
§ Tips for supervision (incorporate these tips in follow-up conversations in supervision with staff)
Basics of Fostering Connections / After 18 (AB12) Eligibility Unit Meeting Agenda[2]
Time: Approximately 60 minutes
Purpose: Provide Fostering Connections to Success Act training regarding Basics of Eligibility for Extended Foster Care
Audience: Child Welfare Social Workers assigned to work with transition aged youth 16 and older
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§ Overview of Fostering Connections law
§ Eligibility
§ Participation criteria
§ Paperwork and process
§ Monitoring participation
§ Starting the process…how and when to have this conversation
§ Question and answer time
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Fostering Connections After 18 Training Guide for Supervisors, Version 1.0,
September 27, 2012
59
Basics of Fostering Connections / After 18 (AB12) Eligibility Discussion Guide
Time Estimate / Agenda Item / Discussion Notes / Resources /5 min / Overview of Fostering Connections including guiding principles / Provide the following overview to the group:
AB12, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act was signed into law on September 30, 2010. It was authored by Speaker Karen Bass and Assembly Member Jim Beall. SB 1013, a.k.a. the budget trailer bill, passed in July 2012 and modified eligibility. Current legislation authorizes California to:
§ Extend foster care until age 21.
§ Provide the federal Kin-GAP benefit to relative guardians and create a parallel state Kin-GAP program for non-federally eligible youth. The new Kin-GAP program includes several key changes:
· The federal government will now pay a 50% share of cost for federally eligible youth
· Only 6 months of placement with approved relative required prior to exiting foster care to Kin-GAP
· The amount of the Kin-GAP benefit is determined through a negotiated agreement based on the needs of the child and updated at least every 2 years
· Allows youth to enter Kin-GAP after 6 months under a Voluntary Placement Agreement
· Makes Kin-GAP available to families who move out of state
· Provides Kin-GAP assistance to youth with a physical or mental disability up to age 21
· Provides extended Kin-GAP assistance and AAP assistance to eligible youth up to age 21, provided youth entered guardianship or adoption at age 16 or later and meet participation requirements.
Note that the changes to the Kin-GAP program went into effect on January 1, 2011. The extension of foster care to age 20 went into effect on January 1, 2012.
Make the following additional points about the legislation:
§ SB1013 (commonly known as the budget trailer bill) has included changes to law that affect the age eligibility for EFC.
§ This bill adds Welfare and Institutions Code (WIC) section 10103.5 which allows non-minor dependent youth who turn 19 during 2012 and are receiving foster care payment or CalWORKs benefits while in foster care to continue receiving those benefits up to age 21 provided they continue meeting the participation conditions
Provide the following information about re-entry for non-minor dependent youth:
§ Those non-minor dependent youth who exited foster care in 2012 solely due to attaining age 19, may now re-enter foster care, if they agree to meet one of the participation conditions. Additionally, those who exited in 2012 before age 19 may re-enter on or after January 1, 2013 if under age 20.
§ Non-minor dependent youth wishing to re-enter will need to complete the SOC 163 (Voluntary Re-entry Agreement) and a petition must be filed under WIC section 388(e).
Review the values associated with Fostering Connections:
§ Voice of Young Adults
§ Assistance and Partnering
§ Love and Belonging
§ Unique Needs
§ Eligibility is Maintained
§ Development is Supported / Fostering Connections After 18: Benefits Essentials
Trainer’s Guide
AB12 Benefits PPT v2 August 2012
http://calswec.berkeley.edu/benefits-essentials
5 min / Who is eligible by population / Discuss key eligibility requirements for dependent youth in foster care to remain in care as non-minor dependent youth:
§ Open court case with out-of-home placement at age 18
§ Satisfy at least 1 of 5 participation requirements
§ Meet with social worker and update TILCP
§ Attend court or administrative review every 6 months
§ Live in a licensed/approved setting
Provide the following information about eligibility for special populations:
§ KinGAP – Agreement signed after 16
· Continues if the family moves to another state
· Continues if the family moves to another state
§ NRLG – Guardianship for formerly dependent youth established at any age. Guardianship established in probate court not eligible for AB12 benefits but may remain eligible for foster care if needs to finish high school up to age 19
§ AAP – Youth whose initial AAP agreements were signed at 16 or older who meet participation conditions are eligible
· Continues if the family moves to another state
· Can continue if child is adopted after death of adoptive parents
· Youth with disabilities are eligible until age 21 no matter what age they were adopted / Fostering Connections After 18: Benefits Essentials
Trainer’s Guide
AB12 Benefits PPT v2 August 2012
http://calswec.berkeley.edu/benefits-essentials
10 min / Participation Criteria / Describe the participation criteria for non-minor dependent youth, Kin GAP youth, NRLG youth, and AAP nondependent youth:
§ Be enrolled in high school
§ Be enrolled in college/vocational school
§ Work at least 80 hours/month
§ Participate in a program/activity that removes barriers to employment
§ Be unable to do one of the above (generally medical/mental health/developmental issues)
Describe the participation criteria for youth participating in extended Kin-GAP:
§ Mutual Agreement is a condition of payment
§ Guardian must request extension of Kin-GAP after age 18
§ Guardian must provide documentation of the youth’s participation in one of the 5 conditions
§ Kin-GAP payments can only be made to the guardian
§ Youth can live elsewhere as long as the guardian remains financially responsible
§ No Social worker or Probation Officer assistance; payment only
Describe the following eligibility factors for youth in Non-Related Legal Guardianship (NRLG):
§ Mutual Agreement is a condition of payment
§ Guardian must request extension of payment after age 18 and provide verification that youth is meeting one of the 5 participation conditions
§ Payment made to guardian, and under existing Division 45 regulations, payments may be made to youth under certain conditions.
§ Youth may live elsewhere as long as the guardian remains financially responsible
Describe the following eligibility factors for youth receiving extended AAP:
§ Mutual Agreement is a condition of payment
§ Adoptive parent must request extension after age 18 and provide verification that the youth is participating in one of the 5 conditions
§ AAP payments only go to adoptive parent
§ Youth may live elsewhere as long as the adoptive parent remains financially responsible
Review the following eligibility information regarding youth in extended foster care who are also receiving SSI:
§ Youth in EFC who receive SSI must meet all the same requirements as other youth in EFC:
· Sign a mutual agreement within 6 months (not a condition of payment)
· Participate in court and administrative review hearings
· Visit with the social worker or probation officer monthly
· Participate in a TILP
· Meet one of the 5 participation requirements / Fostering Connections After 18: Benefits Essentials
Trainer’s Guide
AB12 Benefits PPT v2 August 2012
http://calswec.berkeley.edu/benefits-essentials
10 min / Paperwork and process / Review the paperwork required for youth approaching age 18:
§ Complete SOC 161 – Participation Criteria with young adult
· Include back up selection i.e. check #1 (complete high school) and #4 (Participate in a program/activity that removes barriers to employment). #4 is a back-up in case young adult has problems with completing #1.
§ Complete SOC 162 – Mutual Agreement with young adult
· Note: Can be signed @ 18th birthday or within 6 months of 18th birthday
§ At hearing approaching age 18, complete the court report for the status review hearing to describe the youth’s plans for EFC participation or non-participation (If using JV forms, JV460) to establish whether or not the youth plans to participate in extended foster care
· Note: No separate hearing is needed to establish non-minor dependent status; this hearing establishes that status. For example, status review might be held in April, 3 months prior to 18th birthday. This is when the court report discussing EFC participation occurs. This must be completed unless youth decides NOT to participate in extended foster care, then a status review is completed and a W&I 391 hearing must be set.. The W&I 391 hearing procedures must be completed including the completion of the JV365. This hearing may not be held until the month after the month the youth attains age 18.
§ Provide completed SOC 161 and 162 to Eligibility Worker (EW)
Review the ongoing paperwork required for non-minor dependent youth in extended foster care:
§ Update TILP in collaboration with the young adult
§ Update SOC 161 every 6 months based on completion of updated TILP.
§ Provide completed SOC 161 EW (does not need TILP) to EW / Fostering Connections After 18: Benefits Essentials
Trainer’s Guide
AB12 Benefits PPT v2 August 2012
http://calswec.berkeley.edu/benefits-essentials
10 min / Monitoring participation and reasonable efforts / Explain that it is the role of the social worker to work collaboratively with the young adult to maintain eligibility. Due to the fact that this process occurs within the court setting, the social worker will be held accountable for the provision of reasonable efforts to maintain eligibility by attorneys and the courts for documenting the assistance they provide. Review the following steps for monitoring and documenting participation:
§ Document efforts to assist youth to maintain eligibility, i.e. list in contact notes any referrals given, attempts to meet with the young adult, services provided (team meetings, ILP services), etc.
§ TILP identifies goals and whether met or not met; complete every 6 months with the young adult
§ Include discussion of services provided and progress made in TILCP/court report.
§ Engage youth in collaborative case planning, i.e. team meetings, emancipation conferences, treatment team meetings, etc.
10 min / Starting the process…how and when to have this conversation (including tips for using current teaming models) / Explain that it is important to begin a discussion of extended foster care benefits and requirements as early as possible with both youth and caregivers in home visits, ILP classes, and team meetings. Make these key points:
§ Don’t wait until approaching 18; it’s important for youth to understand their benefits and responsibilities and that may mean having many conversations about it
§ This also begins the process of developing independence skills (should occur no later than age 16).
§ Additionally, permanency cannot be ignored. Identification of permanency plans and permanent connections with caring committed adults should be prioritized. Kin GAP and adoption after age 16 means extended benefits are available.
Discuss any county specific teaming models you use and promote these discussions in those meetings.
Review these additional topics to discuss/consider during meetings with non-minor dependent youth:
§ Decision Making - young adults retain the decision making authority about whether, with whom, and when they establish or re-establish contact and/or a relationship (including contact with family members or others important to them at some time in their life)
§ Maintaining personal safety - First and foremost issue is their safety and it is something that we can help them be thoughtful about
§ Family Connections - Assist them with family finding or with initiating contacts if they desire assistance, including offering practical advice about how to find people, developing a script for that first contact, and debriefing their experiences with them / Supporting Youth to Successful Transitions from Foster Care, Version 1.0, January 31, 2012
Trainer Guide
http://calswec.berkeley.edu/supporting-youth-successful-transitions-foster-care
10 min / Question and Answers / In preparation for the questions staff may ask, refer to the following resources:
§ Fostering Connections After 18: Benefits Essentials Trainer’s Guide and AB12 Benefits PPT v2 August 2012 http://calswec.berkeley.edu/benefits-essentials
§ Supporting Youth to Successful Transitions from Foster Care, Version 1.0, January 31, 2012 Trainer Guide http://calswec.berkeley.edu/supporting-youth-successful-transitions-foster-care
§ Fostering Connections website
http://www.fosteringconnections.org/california
Fostering Connections After 18 Training Guide for Supervisors, Version 1.0,