INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM KERN COUNTY ILP NEWS LETTER SPRING 2014

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1 In this Issue Volume 7, Issue 5 Spring What is ILP 1 AB-12 2 AB-12 Facts 3 AB-12 questions 3 Q &A AB-12 4 John Burton Info 5 CYC Information 6 CYC Pictures 7 Credit Information 8 What is ILP? INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM KERN COUNTY ILP NEWS LETTER SPRING 2014 Credit fraud 9 Health Care Reform 10 AB-12 Success Story 11 Upcoming Events 13 The Independent Living Program (ILP) is a federally funded program that provides services to assist eligible youth (16-21 years of age) in making successful transitions from foster care to independent living. Any youth that were in OR are in foster care/probation and placed in out of home foster care at any time from their 16 th to their 19 th birthday are eligible for ILP Services. ILP offers a vast amount of services to help youth achieve self-sufficiency prior to exiting foster care; the following are some of those services: Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) completed with ILP worker/probation officer every 6-months to explore goals related to selfsufficiency. Education Planning plan for completion of high school and options for college. College and financial aid application assistance Community resources that provide career planning, job leads, and resume assistance. Transitional housing for emancipated youth Emancipation conferences Life skills Referrals to resources Assist youth in opening a savings account ILP trust fund Senior packet - cap/gown, etc. Transportation assistance bus passes and/or assistance with obtaining a driver s license. Introduction to California Youth Connection (CYC) Incentives for ILP participation Referral to a mentoring program Assist youth in obtaining their birth certificate, social security card, California Identification Card or California Driver s 1 License Assist youth in obtaining access to view their child welfare case file(s). ILP Contact List DHS main number Kelley Rockfellow Supervisor Rolando Hernandez, Transitional Housing Coordinator Juanika Barnett Keith Hollins Stacy Loyd Mary Gutierrez Emancipated youth services Francisco Martinez

2 Assembly Bill 12 Known as AB-12 California Fostering Connections to Success Act (AB 12) Extending Foster Care Benefits FACT SHEET The California Fostering Connections to Success Act was signed into law September 30, 2010 through Assembly Bill (AB) 12. This legislation recognized the importance of family and permanency for youth by extending payment benefits and transitional support services for Adoption Assistance Program (AAP), Kinship Guardianship Payment Assistance (Kin GAP) Program and Foster Care. Effective January 1, 2012, the bill allows eligible 18 year olds in foster care to remain in foster care up to age 19 years. Starting January 1, 2013 foster youth can remain in foster care up to age 20 years, and starting January 1, 2014 up to age 21 years contingent upon budget appropriation by the state legislature. Youth over age 18 years in foster care are designated as non minor dependents. Goals and Benefits Foster youth will be able to maintain a safety net of support while experiencing independence in a secure and supervised living environment. Extended time as provided in the non minor dependent status can assist youth in becoming better prepared for successful transition into adulthood and self sufficiency through education and employment training opportunities. Basic Eligibility Requirements At the six month hearing prior to youth s 18th birthday, the social worker/probation officer must have a plan to ensure the youth meets at least ONE of the following criteria: 1) Completing high school or equivalent program (e.g. GED); OR 2) Enrolling in college, community college or a vocational education program; OR 3) Employed at least 80 hours a month; OR 4) Participating in a program designed to promote or remove barriers to employment; OR 5) Unable to do one of the above requirements because of a medical condition. Probation youth who are in a foster care placement may also be eligible to remain in foster care. "Non minor dependents" must sign an agreement to reside in an eligible placement location and agree to work with a social worker to develop and meet the goals of a Transitional Living Plan. Remaining in foster care after age 18 years is voluntary. Foster youth can decide to exit at age 18, or at any subsequent time before they "age out." Foster youth who exit foster care at 18 can change their mind and return to foster care at any time before age 20 (or 21 if the age limit is extended in 2014)the age extension for which they qualify. Once dependency is terminated for a youth age 18 or older, the court may establish a trial period of independence until the day before the youth s 21st birthday.

3 Foster Placement Options Eligible placement options for youth after age 18 include: 1) Remain in existing home of a relative, non related extended family member, licensed foster family home, certified foster family agency home, or home of a non related legal guardian. 2) THP Plus Foster Care. This is a new placement option under development. 3) Supervised Independent Living setting. This new placement option under development may include an apartment (with or without a roommate), room and board arrangements or college dorms. The placements will be approved and supervised by the county. 4) Group home placement can only continue for a non minor dependent who has graduated high school if he/she meets eligibility criteria #5 (medical condition). Additional information Youth who are custodial parents have the same rights to participate in foster care after age 18 as all other youth. Dual agency and supplemental rates will continue on behalf of youth who are consumers of Regional Center services. The caregiver rates are in the process of being determined for approved living settings under AB 12. Former foster youth adopted at or after age 16, who meet the criteria, may be eligible for extended Adoption Assistance Payments. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Here are a few of the most frequently asked questions from youth, caregivers and other supportive adults about the AB-12. Youth are encouraged to speak to their social workers, attorneys, or probation officers for more detailed information. Supportive adults, including caregivers, social workers, attorneys and probation officers, are encouraged to contact the appropriate organization for more information.

4 AB-12 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS Q: I am a social worker for a youth who entered foster care at age 17, just five months prior to her 18th birthday. Will she still be eligible for extended foster care even though she will have only been in care for five months prior to turning 18? I ask this because there was no hearing 6 months prior to her 18th birthday to discuss the plan for how she would meet the participation requirements. A: Yes, this young woman would be eligible for extended foster care. There is no minimum time a youth must be in foster care prior to turning age 18 to be eligible. She would be required to meet the same eligibility criteria as all youth: have an order for foster care placement on his/her 18th birthday; continue under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as a dependent, under transitional jurisdiction or as a ward; meet one of the five participation conditions; and agree to live in a supervised placement that is licensed or approved under new standards for 18 to 21 year olds. Q: If a youth turns 18 while in juvenile hall, will he/she be eligible for extended foster care? A: In order to be eligible to participate in extended foster care a youth must have an order for foster care placement on his/her 18th birthday. This requirement applies to all youth including wards in juvenile court (i.e. 602 youth). Therefore, if a youth is in juvenile hall but that youth has an order for foster care placement on his/her 18th birthday (which occurs when the youth is waiting for a placement to become available), then s/he is eligible to participate in extended foster care. If there is no order for foster care placement and the youth is detained in juvenile hall on his/her 18th birthday, then that youth will not be eligible for extended foster care. Q: I am a THP-Plus provider who will be providing THP+FC effective July 1, I have a youth in our program who turned 18 in September 2011 and had a placement order for foster care in place on January 1, 2012, as required to participate in extended foster care. The youth elected to opt-out of extended foster care in March 2012 and enter our THP-Plus program. I am now working with her to re-enter foster care to participate in THP+FC. She will turn 20 this September. Does she need to re-enter foster care by age 20? What happens if she doesn t? A: Yes, this youth does need to petition to re-enter before age 20; if she does not, she will have to wait until January 1, 2014, when the age limit extends to age 21. In July 2012, the California State Legislature passed SB 1013, which was intended to prevent youth who had been receiving aid continuously from being discharged due to turning age 19 in 2012 and age 20 in However, it does not apply to those youth who elected to exit foster care voluntarily and want to re-enter.

5 THE JOHN BURTON FOUNDATION FOR CHILDREN WITHOUT HOMES Based in San Francisco, the John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes works state-wide to improve the quality of life for California s foster, former foster and homeless youth. From the moment a young child or youth is placed in foster care, the odds of them leading a full and enriched life start to diminish. These young people have the same hopes and dreams that all youth have, and deserve the opportunities to pursue them. Through the assistance of many generous donors, the John Burton Foundation was created in 2004 to assist direct service organizations serving homeless and foster youth. Initially small, non-restricted grants were distributed throughout California. Shortly thereafter, a policy and advocacy component was added to target and create legislation to better the lives of foster and former foster youth. MISSION The John Burton Foundation for Children Without Homes is a non-profit organization based in San Francisco, working throughout California to improve the quality of life for California's foster, former foster, and homeless children. JBF is committed to achieving success for every foster youth and developing and advocating for policy solutions to bring an end to youth homelessness. Through the generosity of our donors and grantors, JBF helps homeless, foster and former foster youth obtain essential education and healthcare. We seek to fill gaps in their basic needs: food, clothing, housing, transportation, and emotional support. The odds are stacked against at-risk youth and JBF seeks to support them in achieving their full potential. Helping these youth now benefits society in the long run because without adequate resources to transition into adulthood, former foster youth become unable to support themselves and must rely on state resources. It is a win-win to help them develop their Intellect and confidence so they can achieve independence and ultimately help others. The John Burton Foundation more than eight years of existence is going strong and it continues to provide such achievements as: Offering former foster youth a leg-up through the Backpack to Success Program, providing over $500,000 in gift cards and 200 laptops to former foster youth in college. Improving the quality of life for children and youth without homes by providing $3.5 million in grants to more than 200 of California s most effective community based organizations. Driving Federal & State legislation which will reduce incarceration among youth who age-out of foster care and improve their odds of completing college by increasing the age limit from 18 to 21. Organizing 163 youth-serving, community based organizations into a state-wide coalition that is advocating for policy changes at the local, state and federal level to end youth homelessness in California.

6 The California Youth Connection (CYC) is a youth advocacy group made up of current and former foster youth. We are young people who work hard to improve the foster care system by educating the public and policy makers about what needs to be changed within the foster care system. We also work to change the stereo types that many people have of foster youth. Get Involved Facebook CYC Kern CYC has provided me the opportunity to make my own decisions and to speak up -Lazara, CYC Member 6

7 California Youth Connection (CYC) is a youth led organization that develops leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative and policy change.

8 We all create a credit history, every day. OK, generally as we get older and have to pay for things ourselves, be it a cell phone, apartment, credit cards. If we get a cell phone, we sign a contract saying we are going to pay our bills. If we pay our bills completely and on time, that becomes part of our credit history. If we are late, that is reported too. Not only does the phone company keep track of that information, but they share it with credit bureaus who keep tabs on all our credit spending, from utility bills to loans to credit cards, and just about everything else you use money for, except for cash. These Credit Bureaus then assign you a FICO (see below) or credit score. Potential lenders will use this when you want to borrow money in the future, let's say for a car, house or anything else. Lenders will use this history/score to decide if they should lend you money (extend credit). Lenders use this score to calculate how much of a risk they will charge you to borrow money. As we get older we will probably borrow money and then pay it off. This could be a short term loan (such as a telephone bill) or a long term loan (such as a car or college loan). Based on how much credit you owe, how promptly you pay your bills and how much you pay on your bills, credit bureaus will review your history and then issue you a credit score (FIC)). Therefore establishing a good credit history, thereby earning a good credit score, will be critical when you want to borrow money. What Does My FICO Score Mean? FICO scores range from 300 to 850. Here is what they mean to a lender: Excellent: Over 750 Very Good: 720 or more Acceptable: 660 to 720 Uncertain: 620 to 660 Risky: Less than 620

9 I may have been the victim of fraud or identity theft. How can I put a fraud alert on my credit report? Contact one of the nationwide credit reporting companies and place a fraud alert in your credit report: Equifax, (800) Experian, (888) TransUnion, (800) Once you get your credit reports, review them carefully. Look for: Accounts you did not open. Information about the status of the accounts and whether the account balances appear correct. Outstanding balances on your reports that you cannot explain. Incorrect personal information, such as your Social Security number, address, name or initials, and employers. If you find fraudulent or inaccurate information, contact the credit bureau to have it removed by filing a dispute. How can I spot identity theft? The best way to keep an eye out for identity theft is to read your statements from credit card companies, banks and credit unions, and to routinely check your credit reports for suspicious activity. Financial accounts and billing statements. Look closely for charges you did not make. Even a small charge can be a danger sign. Thieves sometimes will make a small debit against your checking account and then return to take much more if the small debit goes unnoticed. Credit reports. Review your free credit reports from each of the three major credit bureaus. If an identity thief is opening financial accounts in your name, these accounts may show up on your credit report. Look for inquiries from companies you ve never contacted, accounts you didn t open, and wrong amounts on your accounts. Also be sure your personal information like your Social Security number, address, name or initials, and employers is correct. Tip: Don t ignore bills from people you don t know. A bill on a debt you never borrowed may be an indication that someone else has opened an account in your name. Contact the creditor to find out.

10 ATTENTION: FORMER FOSTER YOUTH Are you under the age of 26? Were you in Foster Care on your 18th Birthday? If your answer is YES to both questions above, you are eligible for Former Foster Care Children s Program (FFCC) benefits, which provide you with full-scope, zero share-ofcost Medi-Cal up to the age of 26. What Services Are Included? Mental Health Services Dental Care Eye Care General and Specialty Care How do you Enroll? Just complete the single-page, simplified FFCC Medi-Cal Application (MC 250A) that can be provided to you by the receptionist or a staff member.

11 Dream Center AB-12 Success Story Bryan Born in El Salvador, Brian is the one of many youth to complete the AB-12 Program successfully. At the age of 16 Bryan started participating In the Independent Living Program. During that time in ILP, he learned the skills to become self sufficient as well as transition into adult hood. He attended many workshops from budgeting, housing, career and financial aid. Bryan stayed in touch with his ILP social worker and continues to get his college books and supplies paid for as well as his drivers license. Bryan new that he could not get the car he really wanted, however he learned that he must start at the bottom and work himself up to the car he really wanted. His first car was old and needed work but it made it to work and school. But in order to get what he wanted he needed to build up his credit and so he purchased a used car from a dealership. Along with saving his AB-12 checks and budgeting his money, he was able to sell the other car and get his dream car (see above). Bryan relied on his role models, social workers, and foster family for support and guidance. The AB-12 Program provides extended foster care services until the age of 21. In June 2014 Bryan will turn 21, with the assistance of AB-12 he accomplished the following goals: Bryan is in his own SILP (Supervised Independent Living Plan) arrangement where he lives in an apartment shared by 3 roommates so that his expenses won t be so much. Bryan is a second year student and he is fulfilling his education at Cal State Bakersfield and has made the Dean List as an honor student. Bryan is employed with Cal State Bakersfield as a Instructional Student Assistant (ISA). He works with undergrad students enrolled in math class. He also works part time as a tutor for foster youth. Bryan says in order to become successful, the motivation, and inspiration comes from within yourself. He does not see himself as successful, just fortunate that he was able to participate in the AB-12 Program.

12 UPCOMING ILP EVENTS IN 2014 CALL YOUR ILP Social Service Worker if you WANT TO ATTEND APRIL 2014 Career Exploration Workshop 4:00pm to 6:00pm Wednesday April 30th, 2014 CAREER RESOURCES CENTER 2727 F STREET MAY 2014 AB-12 Workshop 4:00pm to 6:00 pm Wednesday May 7th 2014 CAREER RESOURCES CENTER 2727 F STREET MAY 2014 Garden Pathway Workshops Self-Esteem/Mentor Orientation May 19th :00 to 6:00pm Monday Call to reserve a spot JUNE Money Matters Budgeting/Credit/ Fraud/Banking 4:00pm to 6:00pm Wednesday Date to Be Announced CAREER RESOURCES CENTER 2727 F STREET