1 Introduction to After 18 California Fostering Connections to Success What does After 18 mean to YOU? Version 2.0, November 28, 2012

2 ABCs of After 18: Extended Foster Care Signed in to law September 30, 2010 Begins January 1, 2012 Extends foster care –to age 19 in 2012 –and then age 20 in 2013 –and then hopefully to age 21 in 2014 if the legislature votes to give it funds

3 Why extend foster care? 18 is too young for some emerging adults to be self- sufficient. Extending foster care gives youth who want it some additional support.

4 How will extended foster care benefit you? More time to find a permanent connection to an adult figure More time to prepare you for adulthood Helping with school, work and a place to live

5 What do you need to do? Decide whether or not you want to stay in foster care If you leave foster care, you may decide to come back into foster care (we will talk later about who is able to)

6 What do you need to do? Sign a mutual agreement Work with the social worker or probation officer to meet the goals of your case plan and the Transitional Independent Living Case Plan (TILP)

7 Be doing one or more of the following: Be in high school or a similar program Attend college, community college or a vocational education program Work at least 80 hours a month Participate in a program to remove barriers to employment Be unable to do one of the above because of a medical condition

8 Where will I live? With a relative or non-related extended family member, foster family home, or home of your legal guardian Group home placement (until age 19) THP – Plus Foster Care THPP (if you are in THPP at age 18, you can stay until age 19)

9 Or… Supervised Independent Living Setting Such as: –An apartment –Room and board arrangements –College dorms –Shared roommate

10 Will I still go to Court? YES! You will be assigned an attorney and will go to court every 6 months You can attend court by phone if you are far away Your social worker or probation officer will write a report that talks about your progress toward your goals

11 How will I meet my goals? You will create a Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) with your social worker or probation officer You will talk about how you can meet your goals ILSP will help with classes and workshops!

12 Why wouldn’t I stay in foster care? You don’t want to be a dependant or ward of the court You don’t want to stay in a foster placement that has to be approved by your social worker or probation officer You don’t want to have a social worker or probation officer or anyone in your business!!

13 Why would I want to stay in foster care? Youth ages need, deserve and are entitled to the extra support that extended foster care can provide Everybody needs a safety net!

14 Who can return to foster care? You can re-enter any time if you sign a voluntary agreement, enter foster care and meet one of the five eligibility criteria. It’s that easy!

15 Questions???