Assembly Bill 12 (AB 12), a landmark piece of legislation, was signed into law on September 30, 2010, and became effective on January 1, 2012, marking a significant step forward for foster youth in California. This bill, along with subsequent legislation like AB 212, is designed to align California with the Federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (PL 110-351). The core aim of these changes is to improve the life outcomes for young individuals within the foster care system. A key provision in the federal law allows states to extend crucial Title IV-E assistance to eligible youth in child welfare or probation systems, enabling them to remain in foster care up to the age of 21.
California’s response to this federal guidance is the Extended Foster Care Program California, often referred to as EFC. This program fundamentally changed the landscape of support for young adults transitioning out of foster care. Before AB 12, foster care typically ended at age 18. The extended foster care program california now allows eligible youth in both the child welfare and probation systems to continue receiving foster care benefits and support until they reach age 21. This extension recognizes the challenges faced by young people as they transition into adulthood and aims to provide a safety net during these critical years.
Youth participating in the extended foster care program california have the flexibility to leave the program and, if needed, re-enter at a later date, provided they are still under 21 and meet the eligibility criteria. To maintain eligibility within the EFC program, young adults, referred to as Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs), must fulfill at least one of five participation conditions. These conditions are designed to support their progress towards self-sufficiency and may include activities such as:
- Enrolling in college or vocational school.
- Participating in employment for at least 80 hours per month.
- Engaging in a program designed to remove barriers to employment.
- Having a medical condition that prevents them from participating in the above activities.
- Actively seeking employment.
Beyond extending the age limit for foster care, 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 youth who meet specific eligibility requirements. This comprehensive approach ensures that various forms of support are available to young people who need them as they navigate the transition to adulthood.
For those seeking more detailed information and guidance on the extended foster care program california, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) provides a wealth of resources. A valuable starting point is the Extended Foster Care County Contact List, which can help individuals connect with local EFC coordinators in their respective counties.
Furthermore, CDSS has issued numerous notifications, including All County Letters (ACLs), All County Information Notices (ACINs), and County Fiscal Letters (CFLs), that offer detailed policy guidance and program updates related to the extended foster care program california. These documents are essential resources for social workers, probation officers, caregivers, and youth themselves to understand the intricacies of the program. Some key ACLs include:
- ACL 11-69: Provides foundational instructions on the policies and procedures governing the EFC Program.
- ACL 11-85: Specifically addresses probation youth access to the EFC Program, clarifying how wards of the court can participate.
- ACL 11-15: Outlines the new requirements for the Kin-GAP program as a result of AB12.
- ACL 12-05: Details the implementation of EFC Special Project Codes within the CWS/CMS system and the necessary forms.
- ACL 12-13: Focuses on the assessment and approval processes for relative and nonrelative extended family member caregivers.
- ACL 14-33: Provides guidance on out-of-state placements for Non-Minor Dependents in extended foster care.
- ACL 17-93: Explains the use of infant supplement payments for Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care (THP+FC) programs for parenting youth.
- ACL 18-15: Clarifies the last date of payment for extended foster care when a non-minor turns 21.
- ACL 18-101: Addresses eligibility for married youth and youth performing non-active duty military service within extended foster care.
- ACL 21-95: Updates policies related to Supervised Independent Living (SIL) settings and transitional housing provider payments.
ACINs and CFLs further supplement this information, with ACIN I-78-11 detailing training activities for the EFC Program and ACIN I-07-19 providing information on re-entry to foster care for former probation youth. CFL10/11-61 addresses the fiscal allocations for the Kin-GAP program.
In conclusion, the extended foster care program california, born from AB 12 and federal mandates, represents a crucial investment in the future of foster youth. By extending support and benefits up to age 21, California is striving to empower these young adults to achieve greater stability and success as they transition into independence. The wealth of resources and notifications from CDSS underscores the state’s commitment to ensuring the effective implementation and ongoing improvement of this vital program.
