EFC Placement Options

NMDs can be placed in any of the existing placements types. A new placement agreement is not needed if the NMD remains in the same placement after the age of 18. When the NMD is placed in a new placement the provider must complete the:

 “Group Home Agreement Non-Minor Dependent” (SOC 154B), or

 "Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Program Admission Agreeement" form (SOC 154C), or 

 “Placement Agency - Foster Family Agency Agreement” (SOC 154A), or 

“Agency Foster Parents Agreement” (SOC 156A), which ever form applies to the type of placement. This process has not changed, but the placement forms for the SW/PO have been updated to include NMDs. These documents are not required for the eligibility file.

AB 12 has introduced two additional placements, Transitional Housing Placement Plus Non-Minor Dependent (THP+NMD) and SILP.

Per ACL 17-83, NMDs may reside 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.

Group Home (GH) Placements

When the NMD is placed in a GH preparation to transition the NMD to a less restrictive, more family like setting must occur and be documented in their case plan. GH placements are only allowed for the completion of high school or until the age of 19, whichever occurs first. The only exception is that the NMD meets the medical condition criteria. The NMD participating in EFC due to a medical condition can remain in a GH after the age of 19, but only as a short-term transition to a more appropriate system of adult care. See Basic Eligibility Requirements.

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

Transitional Housing Placement-Plus-FC (THP+NMD) is specifically for NMDs aged 18-20 approved for EFC which is similar to the current THPP and THP+ program. The THP+NMD placement option is effective July 1, 2012 for NMDs.

There are three types of THP+NMD Placements:

1. Host Family
2. Single Site, and
3. Remote Site.

Note: For a detailed explanation of the THPP and the THP+ programs refer to “Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP"

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 provider in various locations.

The following applies to THP+NMD facilities:

• The facility can be licensed by CCL division and must be approved according to the safety and health standards (SW/PO will make the determination).
• The provider must be approved by SW/PO.
• Housing specifically designed for NMDs.
• NMDs must have court dependency.
• Non-Dependent NRLGs and NMFDs are not eligible for this placement.

Current THP+NMD Providers

As of June 2014, there are five Santa Clara County THP+NMD providers. New facilities are subject to the approval by DFCS and may be added at any time. NMDs can be placed in approved THP+NMD facilities throughout the state of California.

The five providers are:

• Bill Wilson Center,
• Families First,
• HomeFirst,
• St. Andrew’s Residential STAR, and
• Unity Care.

Rates

New rates were established for the THP+NMD Program. The rates are paid each month per NMD. These rates are subject to change based on updates provided by the State of California Foster Care Rates Bureau. Refer to Charts Handbook Chapter 3.

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 with county funds.

ExampleExample

Documentation

There are no new documents required for this placement. DFCS will submit the same documentation as the THPP program noting the SOC 158A the facility and youth is placed in THP+NMD.

Supervised Independent Living Program (SILP)

In the SILP the NMDs are responsible for finding the placement. The following applies to SILP placements:

• SILP must be approved by the SW/PO and must be re-approved annually. It follows the same process as annual home approvals/certifications.
• Includes College Dorms/ University Housing and other Shared Living situations.
• The NMDs may reside 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.
• Requires that Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) is updated by the SW/PO every six months. FC EWs will not receive the TILP, instead FC EWs will receive the SOC 161 verifying that TILP has been updated.
• Requires a “Supervised Independent Living Plan Approval and Placement Agreement” form (SOC 157A) and “SILP Inspection: Checklist of Facility Health and Safety Standards” form (SOC 157B). FC EWs must receive the SOC 157A and the SOC 157B.
• The beginning date of aid must be listed on the SILP under “Effective Date of Payment,” which must be on or after the SILP approval date for the initial SILP placement.
• When there is a change of placements for new SILPs, the SW/PO will note on the SOC 158A SILP 2, SILP 3, etc. For change of placements from SILP 1 to SILP 2, etc. the beginning date of payment begins when the SILP is approved unless the NMD is residing in an “Unapproved SILP.” For “Unapproved SILPs” requirements, see below.
• The SILP may have a designated payee, who must also sign the SOC 157A.

Reminder: The designated payee may include the youth’s landlord.

 

NMDs can be placed in Job Corps as a SILP. A NMD may receive housing through Job Corps and continue to receive foster care funding. The housing accommodations provided by Job Corps are not considered earned or “in-kind” income, therefore, this is allowable and does not affect the NMD’s eligibility for benefits. Job Corps housing is exempted from the SOC 157B housing inspection checklist. There is no category on the form for this type of housing. The SW/PO must mark it as University Housing and Job Corps can be written in on the form until the form is updated.

NMDs currently in extended CalWORKs or ARC under AB 12 can transfer to a SILP placement. When this happens the NMD CalWORKs or ARC case must be closed and a foster care case is open or reopened. When a NMD is placed in a SILP, the case must maintained by the foster care bureau. SILPs can only be paid through a foster care case.

SILPs are available to NMDs who are placed out-of-state.

Note: The rate for out-of-state SILP placements is always the California rate.

Unapproved SILPs

When a NMD is in an unapproved SILP federal funding cannot be paid. An unapproved SILP is when a NMD moves and has notified the SW/PO but the new address is pending approval. When the NMD moves from an eligible SILP, to an unapproved SILP, federal AFDC-FC must be suspended until the SILP is approved.

Federal Funding cannot be used for unapproved SILP, however, the use of non-federal funding can be used provided the NMD is placed in an approved SILP within 14 days. This typically follows the “Bed Hold” policy with the exception that federal funding cannot be used. Additionally, if the NMD was not paid during an approved placement period and the SW/PO provides a new address, federal funding can be sent to the new address but only for the approved period. Non-federal AFDC-FC may be used but only for 14 days or when the new SILP is approved, whichever is first. Any payments made to an unapproved SILP after 14 days must be approved with county only funding.

ExampleExample

NMDs Out-of-County

NMDs may be placed out-of-county. The placement county retains jurisdiction over the case management and the financial responsibility regardless of where the NMD is residing. The SWs/POs may agree to courtesy supervision. When the NMD moves to another county and applies for other public aid, the county payment for EFC remains with the county of court jurisdiction over the NMD. The NMD cannot receive CalWORKs benefits and EFC benefits at the same time, however, NMDs are encouraged to apply for CalFresh.

Intercounty Transfer

Intercounty transfers require a change of jurisdiction through a juvenile court hearing. The court in the county of jurisdiction may order the transfer of an entire case to the court in the county of residence after the NMD has lived in the county for 12 consecutive months and the NMD has expressed an intent to remain in that county.
When the NMD has exited FC and has moved to another county and would like to re-enter FC, the NMD can request a change of jurisdiction to the county of residence. For a NMD who re-enters EFC, the period the youth was residing in the county prior to the filing of the 388 petition is included as a part of the 12 consecutive month period required for residency.

Intercounty transfers require the same documentation as foster care placements for youth under the age of 18.

Related Topics

Extended Foster Care (EFC) Benefits