THP-PLUS/THP+FC MONTHLY CONFERENCE

CALLThursday, February 13th: 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

AGENDAWelcome and introductions

Medi-Cal Enrollment for Current & Former Foster YouthGuest presenter: Jessica Haspel, Children Now

THP+FCUpdate on the number of providersUpdate on the location of programs

THP-Plus Quarterly report from the THP-Plus Participant Tracking SystemTHP-Plus Capacity ChartUpdate on advocacy video

Sign-On Letter Regarding Relative Caregivers

HEALTH COVERAGE FOR YOUTH IN THP-PLUS

Insured: 71%

Uninsured: 29%Approximately

650 youth

MEDI-CAL ENROLLMENT FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH

Guest Presenter:Jessica Haspel, Child Welfare Policy AssociateChildren Now jhaspel@childrennow.org

MEDI-CAL ENROLLMENT FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH

The Affordable Care Act extended Medi-Cal to age 26 for youth who were in foster care at age 18 or older. (Effective 1/1/14) California Dept. of Health Care Services

issued Informational Letter 14-05http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Documents/MEDIL2014/MEDILI14-05.pdf

CWDA Desk Aidhttp://thpplus.org/wp2/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/FFCC-Desk-Aid-3.pdf

CA’S FORMER FOSTER CARE CHILDREN’S (FFCC) PROGRAM: THEN AND NOW

Pre-ACAFFY 18-21 eligible for Medi-Cal FFCC

coverage

CA Bridge FundingFFY turning 21 between

7/1/13 - 12/31/13 maintain Medi-Cal FFCC

eligibility until 26

ACA-Jan. 1, 2014Extension takes full

effect!FFY 18-26 are eligible

for Medi-Cal FFCC

Former foster youth (FFY) are enrolled in the Medi-Cal coverage group for Former Foster Care Children.

CALIFORNIA’S INSTRUCTIONS TO COUNTIES Counties are instructed to enroll youth who were in foster care

at age 18 or older in any state. Until the automated systems are reprogrammed eligibility

workers must manually override the system to assign the appropriate aid code to former foster youth 21 or older.

No income determination conducted (eligibility is based on being in foster care on 18th birthday, age 18-26, and CA residency).

Youth who personally attest to having been in foster care at age 18 should be enrolled in Medi-Cal immediately while county verifies eligibility.

WHAT’S COVERED FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH UNDER MEDI-CAL?

Medical care Vision exams Substance abuse treatment Mental health services and counseling Dental care starting in May 2014 Coverage for youth under 21 also includes Early

and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment services (EPSDT).

HOW DO ELIGIBLE YOUTH SIGN UP? Best way to apply is directly through the county, in-person

at the local Medi-Cal office with the MC 250A form: http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/formsandpubs/forms/Forms/mc250a2014.pdf

Children Now developed a list of contacts in each county for Medi-Cal: http://www.childrennow.org/uploads/documents/Coveredtil26_CountyContactList.pdf

Right now, youth are likely to experience significant barriers if they try to apply through Covered CA or online

CHILDREN NOW’ COVEREDTILL26 WEBSITE HAS TIPS FOR WHEN YOUTH APPLYFormer foster youth: should be enrolled in the Former Foster Care Child (FFCC)

coverage group should be assigned the “4M” code do NOT have to provide income information do NOT have to fill out the full Medi-Cal application (just MC 250A

form) do NOT have to provide proof that they were in foster care at age

18 – the county will verify

Additionally, it may help to bring Informational Letter 14-05 and to write down the CA law that expanded coverage (California Welfare and Institutions Code Section 14005.28).

BENEFITS TO ENROLLING IN THE FORMER FOSTER YOUTH COVERAGE GROUPYouth eligible for Medi-Cal based on their former foster youth status are enrolled in Medi-Cal under the “4M” aid code. Benefits of Coverage under the “4M” Program: Youth are eligible for fee-for-service Medi-Cal, which means they

can get care from any Medi-Cal provider. Youth maintain coverage until age 26 (simplified

redetermination process) No income requirements = youth stay covered in Medi-Cal

regardless of income changes.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES• http://coveredtil26.childrennow.org/

Children Now launched website to inform foster youth about the Medi-

Cal extension:• Jessica Haspel,

jhaspel@childrennow.org or Fatima Morales, fmorales@childrennow.org

For trainings on the new policy, contact:

• http://www.dhcs.ca.gov/services/medi-cal/eligibility/Documents/MEDIL2014/MEDILI14-05.pdf

California Youth Connection and

National Youth Network created educational video on the policy:

• 1-877-846-1602 or fosteryouthhelp@dss.ca.gov

If youth have trouble applying for Medi-Cal they can contact the

Foster Care Ombudsman:

UPCOMING WEB SEMINAR ON MEDI-CAL EXTENSION FOR FORMER FOSTER YOUTH

Children Now and Youth Law Center are hosting a web seminar, “Medi-Cal coverage until age 26 for former foster youth”Thursday, February 27th from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.Register here: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/8905480491668575233

THP-PLUS FOSTER CARE (THP+FC)

THP+FC PROVIDER GROWTH

2012

2013

Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

1 15

7

12 1315

18

27 28

33 34 35 3538 38 38

Num

ber

of T

HP+

FC P

rovi

ders

2014

LOCATION OF THP+FC HOUSING

1 San Joaquin

2 Butte

4 Contra Costa

2 Lassen

2 El Dorado

Glenn 11 Lake

Ventura 3

1 Mariposa

Mendocino 1

Monterey 2

Orange 3

2 Plumas

2 Riverside

San Diego 3

San Francisco 2

San Luis Obispo 1

Santa Barbara 1

Shasta 3

Santa Cruz 1 4 Santa Clara

Solano 1

Tehama 2

6 Los Angeles

Sonoma 1

1 Del Norte

1 Humboldt

1 NevadaPlacer 1

X Sacramento

Siskiyou 1

Sutter 1Yolo 1

Alameda 6 1 Stanislaus1 Merced

2 Fresno1 Tulare

X San Bernardino

Counties with high # of NMDs Counties with high # of NMDs without THP+FC

THP-PLUS

THP-PLUS PARTICIPANT TRACKING SYSTEMQuarterly Report Covers period of October 1 – December 31, 2013Data on sample of 538 THP-Plus participants

EMPLOYMENT STATUS OF THP-PLUS PARTICIPANTS

Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants

46%

38%

11%

2%3%

WorkingNot Working, Seeking EmploymentNot Working, Not Seek-ing EmploymentDetermined Unem-ployable, SSI-eligible, OtherUnknown

INCOME STATUS OF THP-PLUS PARTICIPANTS Average monthly income: $913.81 Average hourly wage: $9.28 51% report receiving at least one form of public

benefit 25% report receiving another form of financial

support

Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants

EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF THP-PLUS PARTICIPANTS

Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants

38%

56%

6%

Currently EnrolledNot Currently EnrolledUnknown

OF THOSE ENROLLED (38%) IN SCHOOL, WHAT DEGREE ARE THEY PURSUING?

Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants

22%

65%

13%

HS Diploma/GED/HS EquivalencyAA/ASBA/BS

STATUS OF PARENTING, INSURANCE, PERMANENT CONNECTIONS AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE INVOLVEMENT 21% of participants are custodial parents 71% report having health insurance 92% report a permanent connection with an

adult 6% of participants have been incarcerated or

detained in adult criminal justice system since entering THP-Plus

6% of participants have had an adult misdemeanor or felony conviction since entering THP-Plus

Report ending December 31, 2013; 538 participants

CHANGES FROM 6 MONTHS PRIOR, QUARTER ENDING 6/30/13

EMPLOYMENT & INCOMEJun. 30,

2013

Dec. 31,

2013Decrease in percentage reported they were employed 48% 46%

Increase in reported hourly wage $9.22 $9.28

Increase in reported average monthly income $895.55

$913.81

Decrease in percentage reported receipt of public benefits 55% 51%

Increase in percentage reported receipt of other financial support

19% 25%

CHANGES FROM 6 MONTHS PRIOR, QUARTER ENDING 6/30/13

EDUCATION Jun. 30,

2013

Dec. 31,

2013

Increase in percentage reporting being enrolled in school

35% 38%

Increase in percentage reported having graduated from high school

76% 78%

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Jun. 30,

2013

Dec. 31,

2013

Decrease in percentage reported they were custodial parents

23% 21%

Decrease in percentage reported they had health insurance

74% 71%

THP-PLUS CAPACITY CHART

28 provide

rs report open beds

10 provide

rs report waiting

lists

Total of 120

open beds &

70 youth in need of housing

THP-Plus Capacity Chart lists providers with open THP-Plus slots, and providers with waiting lists. Also lists contact info so providers can coordinate with one another about referrals.

CLARIFICATIONS FROM CDSS LEGAL: FEBRUARY 2014 The California Department of Social Services has provided the following clarifications regarding accepting out-of-county youth into THP-Plus: Eligible youth may participate in a THP-Plus program in any

county with an approved THP-Plus plan. Any county with an approved plan may elect to accept a youth

from another county into their program.

THP-PLUS CAPACITY CHARTCounty Organization # Open Beds Updated

Alameda Beyond Emancipation 10 1/14/2014

Alameda Fred Finch Youth Center 3 1/9/2014

Contra CostaContra Costa Co. HSD - Homeless Continuum of Care

1 female bed, 1 gender neutral bed 12/19/2013

El Dorado Tahoe Turning Point 9 1/23/2014

HumboldtRedwood Community Action Agency 5 1/17/2014

Los AngelesRosemary Children's Services 1 12/17/2013

Los Angeles St. Anne's 1 12/17/2013

Marin Alternative Family Services 1 12/18/2013

Monterey Peacock Acres 5 12/17/2013

Napa Progress Foundation 2 12/17/2013

Orange Aspiranet 7 12/18/2013

Orange New Alternatives 2 12/18/2013

Placer Whole Person Learning 5 12/19/2013

Riverside Aspiranet 4 12/20/2013

County Organization # Open Beds Updated

San Bernardino Aspiranet 6 12/20/2013

San DiegoSan Diego Youth Services 2 12/18/2013

San DiegoSouth Bay Community Services 7 12/18/2013

San DiegoYMCA of San Diego County 1 12/17/2013

San FranciscoEdgewood Center for Children and Families

3 slots for youth with host families 2/6/2014

San Francisco First Place for Youth 6 1/20/2014

San FranciscoLarkin Street Youth Services

Will have open beds in March 1/28/2014

San Francisco The Salvation Army 8 12/17/2013

San Joaquin Aspiranet 6 12/17/2013

San Luis Obispo Family Care Network 10 12/20/2013

San Mateo Star Vista 5 1/14/2014

Sutter Children's Hope FFA 5 12/19/2013

Yolo Yolo County DESS 2 12/17/2013

Yuba Children's Hope FFA 2 12/19/2013

County Organization# on

Waitlist Updated

Alameda Abode Services 8 12/19/2013

ButteYouth and Family Programs 2 12/18/2013

Butte Youth for Change 1-2 12/17/2013

ImperialImperial Valley Regional Occupational Program 10 12/17/2013

Los Angeles C.H.A.I.N. Reaction, Inc. 4 12/21/2013

Los Angeles Richstone Family Center 29 12/18/2013

Los AngelesSan Gabriel Children's Services 5 12/30/2013

Santa Clara Bill Wilson Center unknown 12/30/2013

SonomaTLC Child and Family Services 7 1/9/2014

VenturaVentura County Child and Family Services 2 12/19/2013

OPEN BEDS WAIT LISTS

THP-PLUS CAPACITY CHART

• http://thpplus.org/thp-plus-bed-vacancies/

THP-Plus Capacity Chart

available at

• https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/THP-Plus-Capacity-Chart

If you are a THP-Plus provider and

have not reported your current bed

status to JBF, visit

THP-PLUS ADVOCACY VIDEO John Burton Foundation is developing a 2-3 min. video on THP-Plus: Who does THP-Plus serve? What does THP-Plus provide? Why is THP-Plus necessary? Where would former foster and probation youth be without THP-

Plus?

In early March JBF will disseminate to providers for their own advocacy use

SIGN-ON LETTER TO CALIFORNIA STATE LEGISLATURE REGARDING RELATIVE CAREGIVERS

SIGN-ON LETTER TO STATE LEGISLATURE RE: RELATIVE CAREGIVERS

Under current foster care funding rules: A relative caregiver receives a foster care

benefit only if the child is federally-eligible. If not federally-eligible, relative caregiver

applies for state welfare benefit (CalWORKs). If non-federally-eligible child is placed in non-

relative foster home or group home, however, they will receive state foster care benefits.

WHY DOES THIS MATTER?By denying relative caregivers foster care benefits, we are placing children into deep poverty the CalWORKs grant for a single child is equal to just 37% of poverty level!

INEQUITY IN MONTHLY RATES

Relative Foster Parent

Non-Relative Foster Parent

Federally-Eligible 15-Year Old $820/month $820/month

Non-Federally-Eligible 15-Year Old

$351/month $820/month

Non-Federally-Eligible 15-Year Old Who is a Regional Center Client

$351/month $2,162/month

Non-Federally-Eligible Sibling Set of 3 (ages 15, 16 & 17)

$714/month $2,460/month

SIGN-ON TO THE LETTER!Sign onto a letter to the California State Legislature asking them to change this arbitrary and irrational foster care funding rule that places many foster children living with relatives into deep poverty.To sign-on, follow this link to enter your organization’s contact information. (Individuals can sign on as well).https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/C6S6JFK Deadline to sign on to the letter is TUESDAY, FEB. 18th!For more information about this issue, contact Angie Schwartz at a.schwartz@kids-alliance.org