California’s commitment to supporting young adults transitioning from foster care is embodied in the Foster Care 18-21 Program, officially known as Extended Foster Care (EFC). This vital initiative, born from Assembly Bill 12 (AB 12) and subsequent legislation like AB 212, is designed to improve the life trajectories of youth within the child welfare and probation systems. Rooted in the Federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008, the foster care 18-21 program allows states to extend crucial Title IV-E assistance, offering a safety net for eligible young adults up to the age of 21.
Understanding California’s Extended Foster Care Program
The foster care 18-21 program in California, established through AB 12, provides a framework for eligible youth in both child welfare and probation systems to remain in foster care beyond the age of 18, up to 21. This extension is not mandatory; young adults can choose to leave the program and crucially, have the option to re-enter at a later date, provided they are still under 21 and meet eligibility criteria.
To maintain eligibility within the foster care 18-21 program, participants must fulfill at least one of five participation requirements. These criteria are designed to support their progress towards self-sufficiency and may include activities such as:
- Enrolling in higher education or vocational training.
- Actively participating in employment for a minimum number of hours per week.
- Engaging in a program designed to remove barriers to employment.
- Experiencing a medical condition that prevents them from meeting other criteria.
Beyond extending the duration of foster care itself, AB 12 also broadened the scope of support by extending Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP) and Adoption Assistance Payments (AAP) up to age 21 for eligible youth. This ensures continued financial support for caregivers who are raising young adults who were formerly in foster care.
Accessing Resources and Further Information
Navigating the foster care 18-21 program requires access to the right resources. For direct assistance and local guidance, individuals can refer to the Extended Foster Care County Contact List. This list connects individuals with local EFC Coordinators who can provide tailored support and information.
Furthermore, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) offers comprehensive notifications pertaining to the foster care 18-21 program. These notifications, issued as All County Letters (ACL), All County Information Notices (ACIN), and County Fiscal Letters (CFL), provide detailed policy guidelines and updates. Key areas covered within these notifications include:
- Program Policies and Procedures: ACLs like ACL11-69 offer detailed instructions on the overall policies and procedures governing the EFC Program.
- Probation Youth Access: ACL11-85 specifically addresses access to the EFC Program for youth in the probation system.
- Kin-GAP Program Requirements: ACL11-15 outlines the requirements for the Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment program under AB 12.
- Implementation and Forms: ACL12-05 details the implementation of Special Project Codes within the CWS/CMS system and the necessary forms.
- Placement and Assessment: ACL12-13 provides guidance on assessment forms for relative and nonrelative extended family member caregivers.
- Out-of-State Placements: ACL 14-33 addresses procedures for placing Nonminor Dependents out of state.
- Financial and Programmatic Updates: Notifications like ACL 18-15 (Last Date of Payment) and ACL 17-93 (Infant Supplement Payment) offer crucial updates on financial and programmatic aspects.
- Eligibility Clarifications: ACL 18-101 clarifies eligibility for married youth and youth in non-active duty military service.
- Supervised Independent Living (SIL) Settings: ACL 21-95 provides updates on expanded SIL settings.
- Training and Judicial Information: ACIN1-78-11 and ACIN I-07-19 offer information on training activities and judicial information regarding re-entry to foster care.
- Fiscal Allocations: CFL10/11-61 details fiscal year allocations for the Kin-GAP program.
These resources collectively ensure that young adults, caregivers, and social service professionals have access to the information needed to effectively utilize and navigate the foster care 18-21 program, maximizing its potential to support successful transitions to adulthood.
