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AB 12 Question of the Week
Q: I'm currently nearing the end of my 24 months in the THP-Plus program. I'm working on getting my AA degree, and would really like to stay in the program until I finish. I've heard that some counties allow youth to remain in THP-Plus for an additional 12 months if they are in school. How do I find out whether my county offers this? For the answer, follow this LINK.
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Join Assembly Member Tony Thurmond for a Policy Briefing on Challenges Faced by Transition-Age Foster Youth
On October 11th Assembly Member Tony Thurmond will host an informational policy briefing on strategies to address pressing challenges faced by current and former foster youth ages 18 to 24. The briefing will follow the early October release of the John Burton Foundation’s 2015-16 THP-Plus and THP+FC Annual Report, and will feature findings from the report, in addition to a panel of housing providers and current and former foster youth.
California is knee deep in a housing crisis, yet the state’s transitional housing program for former foster youth (THP-Plus) is being underspent by $6.7 million per year. The briefing will discuss how communities can better utilize the THP-Plus program to address youth homelessness, in addition to state-level strategies to improve access to THP-Plus for vulnerable youth. Findings in a number of other areas will be discussed including post-secondary education and parenting, along with practice and policy recommendations for the future.
This event will be held on Tuesday, October 11th from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. in Room 437 at the California State Capitol in Sacramento. For more information, download a flyer or contact Simone Tureck at simone@johnburtonfoundation.org. To register to attend, follow this LINK.
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Federal Bill Would Provide Tax Credits for Employers to Hire Foster Youth
On September 8th, Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) introduced the Improved Employment Outcomes for Foster Youth (IEOFY) Act (HR 5947). This bill would provide federal tax credits for private employers who hire current and former foster youth from 16 to 26 years old, inclusive.
The IEOFY Act would expand the Work Opportunity Tax Credit, providing up to $2,400 per eligible employee. iFoster believes this expansion could open the door to jobs for more than 100,000 transition-age current and former foster youth. To learn more about the IEOFY Act, download iFoster’s fact sheet. To express support for the IEOFY Act, submit a support letter.
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Handy Primer Released on California Courts and Child Welfare
The Child Welfare Co-Investment Partnership’s Fall 2016 issue of Insights examines the juvenile court’s role in the child welfare system and provides recommendations on how to best meet the complex needs of children and families in child welfare.
The issue includes a primer on the California courts and child welfare, and data on dependency courts in several counties. Court innovations and promising programs are highlighted including the Court Improvement grant program -- which established the Beyond the Bench conference in California, family drug courts, non-minor dependent courts and parent support programs.
The issue offers recommendations including revisiting those made by the Blue Ribbon Commission that were deferred due to funding cuts during the 2008 recession. Other recommendations include recognizing the challenges judges face, providing better and more consistent data, supporting research to better understand quality measures, developing new protocols between dependency and delinquency judges, and engaging the community to support children in foster care. To read “On Balance: The Courts & Child Welfare”, follow this LINK.
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National Campaign Seeks Input to Address Unplanned Pregnancy Among Foster Youth
The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy is interested in speaking with youth and foster care professionals as part of an effort to develop a systems-level intervention to address unplanned pregnancy among youth in care, specifically transition-age youth (16 to 21 years).
The National Campaign would like to conduct in-depth interviews with foster youth between the age of 16 and 21, and the adults who work with them, including social workers, staff involved with transition planning, providers, Court Appointed Special Advocates, administrators and others. All individuals interviewed, both youth and professionals, will receive $100 for their time. Those interested in participating should call or text (202) 630-4492, or email fcinnovation2016@gmail.com.
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