AB 12 extends foster care services for transitional age foster youth from age 18 to age 22. Remaining in foster care past 18 is voluntary, and after the age 18 a foster youth can exit at any time however, these services are available to youth who would like to take advantage of these additional support and services. 

 

 

Independent Living Skills Program:

http://dpss.co.riverside.ca.us/childrens-services-division/youth-and-community-resources/independent-living-program

 

Resources for aging out Foster Youth:

https://agingoutinstitute.org/

 

Foster Youth Resources through RCOE:

http://www.rcoe.us/student-program-services/files/2012/09/2014-Foster-Youth-Brochure-2015.pdf

http://www2.ed.gov/about/inits/ed/foster-care/youth-transition-toolkit.pdf

https://www.ed.gov/news/press-releases/new-foster-care-transition-toolkit-offers-tips-helping-foster-youth-succeed-adults

 

AB 12 Eligibility

 

The youth must:

1) Sign a mutual agreement with the county child welfare or probation agency or tribe that has an IV-E agreement with the state for supervision and support,

2) continue under the jurisdiction of the juvenile court as a dependent or a ward,

3) meet one of the five participation conditions, and

4) agree to live in a supervised placement that is licensed or approved under new standards for 18 to 21 years.

 

AB 12-Extended Foster Care

• Participation in foster care after age 18 under AB 12 is voluntary
• Youth may decide to exit at anytime before they turn age 21
• Youth have the option to return before they turn 21 through trial independence

• Home of a relative or non-related extended family member; licensed foster family home; certified foster family agency home, or home of a non-related legal guardian.
• THP-Plus Foster Care. This is a new placement option which is being developed that will be modeled after the existing THP-Plus program. 
• Supervised Independent Living setting. This is a new placement option and 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 and non-minor dependents may be able to receive payments directly under this option.
• Group home placement can continue until age 19 or until the non-minor dependent graduates from High school, whichever occurs sooner. Youth who meet eligibility criteria #5 (medical conditions) are permitted to remain in a group home after age 19 or high school graduation.

• 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.
• New licensing and approval standards are being developed for those placements that are providing for a non-minor dependent.
• Former foster youth adopted at or after age 16, who meet the criteria, may be eligible for extended Adoption Assistance Payments.
• Former foster youth who enter guardianship with a relative at or after age 16, who meet the criteria, may be eligible for extended Kin-Gap payments.