Transitional Housing Placement - Non-Minor Dependent (THP-NMD)

Under AB 12, a new type of Transitional SILP was developed for NMD. This new placement option is an extension of the THPP program established for NMDs ages 18 up to 21 years of age. This option is available for NMDs placed by either DFCS or JPD wards.

While waiting to transition from THPP to THP-NMD, youths who have turned 18 may remain in their current THPP placement provided they are meeting their goals outlined by their SW/PO. However, in order to remain in THPP, when the youth turns 18 he or she must be approved for the EFC program. Refer to Foster Care Handbook, Extended Foster Care (EFC) Benefits.

Placement Options

THP - NMD placement option is effective July 1, 2012, for NMDs. NMDs must meet the educational and employment eligibility criteria to receive EFC. Although high school is not a specific requirement, it may be used to satisfy the eligibility criteria.

There are three types of housing sites, Host Family, Single Site and Remote Site.

Host Family

A Host Family placement is where the NMD lives with a caring adult who has been selected and approved by the transitional housing placement provider serving NMDs. NMDs receive provider-based supportive services, and it is expected the host family will provide basic board and care for NMDs.

Single Site

A Single Site placement is where NMDs live in apartments, single family dwellings, or condominiums rented or leased by the transitional housing placement provider serving NMDs. One or more adult employees of the providers must reside in the facility and provide supervision to the NMDs.

Remote Site

A Remote Site is a single housing unit where NMDs live independently and where the provider’s staff does not live in the same facility. This may include apartments, single family dwellings, or condominiums rented or leased by the transition housing placement providers in various locations.

Note: A NMD may live in a SILP in the same home as the parent or guardian from whom the youth was initially removed. However, the parent shall not be allowed to act as the payee for the foster care payment. Social Workers and Probation Officers retain the discretion to determine if the SILP is appropriate for the youth.

Current THP - NMD Provider for Santa Clara County

Currently there are three providers approved by Santa Clara County which are listed below. Note that NMDs may be placed in any State approved THP - NMD facility:

Bill Wilson Center
St. Andrew’s Residential (STAR)
First Place for Youth

New facilities are subject to approval by DFCS and will be added at any time upon approval of the State of California Rates Bureau.

Rates

New rates were established for the THP - NMD program effective July 1, 2012. The rates are paid each month per NMD. These rates are subject to change based on the California Necessities Index (CNI) issued annually by the State of California.

THP-NMD Housing Supplements

ACL 20-121 announces the passage of AB 79 which establishes a housing supplement for youth in the THP-NMD program in the Remote Site and Single Site Housing placements. Host Family placements are not eligible for the housing supplement. The supplement is intended to address the impact of the rising housing costs on youth and is effective July 1, 2021 for CalWIN counties only. CalSAWS counties will not implement the supplements until September 1, 2022, therefore THP-NMD youth who reside in CalSAWS counties will not receive the supplement until 9/1/22.

The supplement amounts will vary across counties as it is based on housing costs in that county and if the youth is parenting. Some counties may not be eligible for the supplement as their housing costs are lower. It is important to note that the supplement is based on the youth’s county of residence, not the county where the provider payment is sent. All California counties will continue to receive the CNI increase.The supplement will be calculated annually by the state and will be included in the annual CNI ACL.

Special Indicator

A new special indicator, “NMD Housing Sup-CalSAWS County,” has been created to track all CalSAWS county cases receiving a housing supplement. Cases that do not receive the supplement will not use this special indicator.

CalWIN

In Release 65 CalWIN programmed the supplements to be added to the Remote Site and Single Site Housing rates for Santa Clara County only. For reference, housing supplements for all CalWIN counties are included in the Charts-Foster Care Handbook Chapter 3. Refer to Systems Announcement (SA) 374 for instructions on how to issue the housing supplements.

Other Release 65 changes include the following:

In the Collect Foster Care Detail window, under the Authority for Placement tab, the new Transitional Housing Program-NMD placement type was added to the Type of Placement field drop-down menu. This type is specific to THP-NMD youth residing in Santa Clara County who will receive the housing supplement for the Remote Site and Single Site Housing placements.
Also in the Collect Foster Care Detail window, under the Authority for Placement tab, the new Custodial or Non-Custodial options were added to the Level of Care field drop-down menu. If the youth is parenting, then the worker will select the Custodial option. If the youth is not parenting, then the worker will select the Non-Custodial option.
Transitional Housing Program-NMD Provider Details window is new.
Transitional Housing Program-NMD is a new service type added in the Category tab of the Maintain Provider Details window.

Note: The existing Transitional Housing Placement + FC placement type will continue to be used for all THP-NMD Host Family rate cases and THP-NMD cases in CalSAWS and CalWIN counties outside of Santa Clara County.

NMDs Placed in THPP

In circumstances where counties must place (new placement) a NMD with a THPP provider, the county can only claim the THP-NMD rate, but must pay the provider the THPP rate, paying the difference by county only funds.

ExampleExample

The current rate for THPP is $3819. When a NMD is placed in a THPP program, the county can only claim the current THP-NMD rate ($2871) and the remaining balance must be paid using County Funds ($948). This rule also applies to NMDs placed in a facility that has been approved for THP-NMD rates and the county wishes to continue providing THPP services to the NMD. (This example is for instructional purposes only. Refer to rate chart for current rates.)

Documentation

There are no new documents required for this placement. DFCS will submit the same documentation as the THPP program noting on the SOC 158A in the rationale description the facility name and the effective date of placement that the youth is placed in THP-NMD.