Committee Agenda Date April 19, 2006

County of Santa Clara
Social Services Agency
Department of Family and Children's Services

CSFC SSA03 041906
Prepared by: Randy Parker
Social Work Supervisor
Reviewed by: Norma Doctor Sparks
Director, Department of Family
and Children’s Services

DATE:

April 19, 2006

TO;

Supervisor James T. Beall, Jr., Chairperson
Supeiwisor Don Gage, Vice-Chairperson
Children, Seniors & Families Committee

FROM:

Will Lightboume
Agency Director, Social Services Agency
SUBJECT: Foster Youth Initiative Update

RECOMMENDED ACTION

Accept the Foster Youth Initiative Update.
FTSCAE TMPTTCATTONS

There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado. Pete McHugh,Jim Beall. Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
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Committee Agenda Date :April 19, 2006

CONTRACT HISTORY

Not Applicable.
REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

The Children, Seniors and Family Committee(CSFC)requested this update on the Foster
Youth Initiative. On February 15, 2006, the Committee accepted an update from the Social

Services Agency, Department of Family and Children's Services(SSA/DFCS) and directed
administration to record and provide in future status reports information relating to the
outcomes of participating foster youths including training opportunities, employment
interviews, and successful employment. The Committee also requested information about the
possibility of a grant to support the Unclassified Position Program for Emancipated Foster
Youth, youth outreach strategies, seasonal and short-term job opportunities, barriers to
employment and how the State Employment Development Department is involved in

supporting foster youth's employment needs. These subjects, as well as the implementation
status of the California Connected by 25 Foster Youth Initiative(CC25)are covered in the
attached update (Attachment A).
BACKGROUND

The California Connected bv 25 Foster Youth Initiative (CC25)

The CC25 Initiative is a collaboration with youth, caregivers, community partners, technical
consultants and DFCS staff dedicated to building an integrated network and continuum of life
skills, educational, training/employment and housing services and opportunities for

emancipating and emancipated foster youth to prepare and support them as they transition into
adulthood.

On January 28, 2006, the Walter S. Johnson Foundation approved DFCS'request for a
$300,000 grant over the next three years in annual installments of $100,000 a year to plan and

implement the CC25 Initiative. DFCS will use the Foundation's funding as the County's match
to draw additional Title IV-E and other federal/state funding, if possible. The funding will

pay for a project coordinator , training, and administrative costs related to meetings. In Santa
Clara County the two primary strategies of the Cormected by 25 Foster Youth Initiative are:
• Development of a work experience, training, and employment program that would
coordinate Santa Clara County's Workforce Investment Boards, area community

lieges, school districts, and employers to help foster youth prepare for and obtain jobs

CO

Board of Supervisors: Donald F, Gage, Blanca.Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive; Peter Kutras Jr.

2

Committee Agenda Date April 1 9, 2006

with high wage and high growth careers.

• Development of a transitional housing program that would provide emancipated foster
youth a continuum of housing opportunities, including maintaining emancipated foster
youth to continue to reside with caring, supportive, and significant adults in a family
environment.

Additional strategies for implementation of CC25 include:

• Data Management Information System: In Year One, Santa Clara County will plan and
create a data management and information system to collect comprehensive data on
emancipating and emancipated foster youth. The data will be used for program planning
and to evaluate youth outcomes. In Years Two and Three, Santa Clara County will
develop a process to use the data collected to improve youth outcomes and integrate the
data collection into program planning and evaluation.
• K-12 Education: In Year One, Santa Clara County will plan and implement a K-12

educational strategy to improve the reading literacy and math skills of foster youth ages
14 to 18 years old. The K-12 educational activities will improve the educational
advocacy, support, and services for foster youth. This strategy will compliment the
Career Pathways training and employment program by better preparing 14 to 18 year
old foster youths for post—secondary education training and/or career pathways. In
Years Two and Three, Santa Clara County will implement the developed strategies in

low performing schools to improve educational outcomes; link foster youth to available
community resources to improve literacy and math skills and to meet other identified
needs; develop internal DECS policy and procedures to ensure that all foster youth will
have access to educational opportunities; and offer quarterly educational rights training.
• Personal/Social Asset Development: In Year One, Santa Clara County will develop a
model of best practices to increase the number of emancipating foster youth with
life-long connections. Other activities will include training for staff on model

permanency best practices, training for foster youth on resiliency, and exploring with

mental health to have clinicians participate in emancipation conferences. In Years Two
and Three, Santa Clara County will continue efforts to link youth to life-long
connections and to more mental health services.

• Independent Living Program: In Year One, Santa Clara County will improve the
integration of the Independent Living Program curriculum services into casework for all
foster youth. Activities will include more integration of the DECS assigned social
worker with the ILP contract providers; the development of an early ILP education and
outreach program to 14 and 15—year olds; the development of a caregiver education and

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca .Alvarado, Pete tMicHugh, Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr,
3

Committee Agenda Date April 19, 2006

training outreach program to increase ILP participation; and the creation of policies and
procedures to ensure that all foster youth will have a TILP and that 16 year olds will
have emancipation conferences and 6 months follow-up on progress. In Years Two and
Three, Santa Clara County will begin to implement Independent Living Program
reforms; implement an early Independent Living Program; conduct caregiver training
on Independent Living Program; and improve the availability of emancipation
conferences and completion of TILPS.

• Individual Development Accounts and Debit Accounts: In Year One, Santa Clara
County will request technical assistance from the Jim Casey Youth Opportunities
Initiative to establish an Individual Development Accounts(IDA)and Debit Accounts

program; identify the Individual Development Account county match; identify banking
partnerships; identify community-based organizations to provide financial literacy
skills; develop a Community/Foster Youth Board; and submit a grant application to
Hewlett Regional Grant to expand the program. In Years Two and Three, Santa Clara
County will establish an Individual Development Accounts and Debit Accounts
program.

DFCS Work Experience Project

The DFCS Work Experience Project was established in 2005 at the request of Supervisor
James T. Beall, Jr. The primary objective of the DFCS Work Experience Project is to find
work experience for 30 current or former foster youth ages 16 to 21 years of age beginning
January 1, 2006. The Work Experience Program consists of assessment testing,job search

techniques, career interest testing and work experience placement. Collaborating partners in
this project include the DFCS ILP Unit, ILP service provider agencies, NOVA and SVWIN.
Unclassified Position Program for Emancipated Foster Youth

The "Unclassified Clerk Typist Program within the Social Services Agency" was the

predecessor of the current "Unclassified Position Program for Emancipated Foster Youth."
The Board approved the Unclassified Clerk Typist Program in 2001. The Board specifically
authorized no more than 40 Advance Clerk Typist, Clerk Typist or Office Clerk positions at a

time to be filled by emancipated youth. Since 2001,6 former foster youth participated in the
program and progressed to become permanent full-time SSA employees. ESA is currently
completing the final steps prerequisite to asking the Board to expand the types of entry level
positions for the program and to expand the program to other County departments. The
expanded program will be available to all youth who experienced out—of—home placement

Board of Supervisors; Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.

4

Committee Agenda Date :April 19, 2006

ordered by the Juvenile Dependency Court when they were age 16 or 17.

Employment Opportunities at the Department of Child Support Services(DC$$d
In January 2006, DCSS announced that it could offer Office Specialist position to former and
current foster youth that would continue until the end of the current fiscal year. Subsequently,
ESO,DECS and DCSS hosted events to orient youth to the job opportunity and to assist them
in completing applications. To date, 22 former and 1 current foster youth are employed at
CDSS.

CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION

Negative action would result in the Children, Seniors and Family Committee not accepting
this update on the Foster Youth Initiative.
STEPS FOLLOWING APPROVAL

The Clerk of the Board will follow the usual procedures for a report of this type.
ATTACHMENTS

• Attachment A - Foster Youth Initiative Update

• Attachment B - Student Internship Background Information

• Attachment C - CC25 Implementation Workgroups Strategies and Tasks - Year 2006
• Attachment D - CC25 Implementation Workgroups Participating Agencies and Groups
• Attachment E - CC25 Implementation Workgroup Agencies and Groups Invited and
Participating

Board of Supemsors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca .Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
5

Attachment A

FOSTER YOUTH INITIATIVE UPDATE
Submitted to

THE CHILDREN, SENIORS AND FAMILIES COMMITTEE
April 19, 2006
The Children, Seniors and Family Committee(CSFC) requested this update on the Foster
Youth Initiative. On February 15, 2006, the Committee accepted an update from the Social

Services Agency, Department of Family and Children's Services(SSA/DFCS) and directed
administration to record and provide in future status reports information relating to the outcomes

of participating foster youths including training opportunities, employment interviews, and
successful employment. The Committee also requested information about the possibility of a
grant to support the Unclassified Position Program for Emancipated Foster Youth, youth
outreach strategies, seasonal and short-term job opportunities, barriers to employment and how
the State Employment Development Department is involved in supporting foster youth’s
employment needs, These subjects, as well as the implementation status of the California
Connected by 25 Foster Youth Initiative (CC25) are covered in this update.
Tracking Foster Youth Employment

DFCS can provide most details regarding the status of youth involved in the Unclassified
Position Program for Emancipated Foster Youth, the DFCS Work Experience Program and the

Department of Child Support Services’(CDSS) Office Specialist position program. For two of
these programs, data was not gathered on many youth were considered for the employment
opportunities prior to the February 15, 2006 CSFC directive to gather such data. Also, data was
not gathered on youth who did not qualify for these three opportunities and were redirected to
alternative educational or employment opportunities or service resources.

Number of Youth

Employment Opportunity
(Nov. 2005 - March 2006)
Unclassified Position Program
for Emancipated Foster Youth
DFCS Work Experience
Program

Department of Child Support

Considered for

Referred to

Training
Opportunity

Employment
Opportunity

Employed

3

3

0

233

1

64^

8^

408^

39

23®

Successful

Services

■' DFCS attempted to contact 233 youth by telephone in November and December 2005. The number directly
contacted is unavaiiable. Additionally, the ILP service providers attempted to contact an unknown number oftheyouth.
^ Fifty-three (53) youth were referred to the SVWIC contractor Henkels and McCoy and 11 were enrolled in
program at NOVA.
. . .
^ Seven (7) youth were employed by DCSS. One (1) other youth is in an internship and another youth is job searching
DFCS attempted to contact 408 youth via mail in February 2006: 322 current foster youth ages 16 years and oider
and 86 youth who had emancipated from foster care in the prior 6 months.
’ Two (2) other youth are pending background checks.

Foster Youth Initiative Update

Page 2 of 8

Please see information about the “DFCS Initiatives Data Workgroup” below regarding the first

year CC25 goal to develop of a comprehensive client database and data gathering system that

would enable DFCS to more thoroughly track outcomes. This system would allow service

activity and outcome data entry from multiple sources (e.g. DFCS, ILP contract service provider
agencies, etc.), resulting in a greater capacity to capture data as the youth moves through the
service delivery network. In the meantime, DFCS’ ILP Unit is working with ILP contract service
provider agencies to gather information about youth referred to educational and employment
opportunities to the fullest extent possible with the technology currently available.

In regards to the Countywide expansion of the Unclassified Position Program for Emancipated
Foster Youth, the Employee Service Agency(ESA) is in the process of contacting County

departments that employ people in the positions named in the proposed expanded job list. The
proposal will be presented to labor unions prior to being submitted to the Board for approval.
Grant to Support the Unclassified Position Program for Emancipated Foster Youth

SSA routinely reviews grant opportunities and will continue to pursue grant funding for the
Unclassified Position Program for Emancipated Foster Youth. There has been no grant

opportunity identified.
Foster Youth Outreach Strategies

Currently, the whereabouts of emancipated foster youth is generally unknown to SSA/DFCS
unless the youth is involved in the Independent Living Program (ILP) through one of our
and state law, once a foster youth
County’s ILP service provider agencies. Under federal
contact
and other services will be provided.
reaches 18 years old, the youth determines whether
In addition, the present statewide child welfare services computer system does not have the

outreach strategies to locate and
capacity to maintain data on emancipated youth. Therefore,
inform emancipated youth about current and developing educational, employment and housing
opportunities, and to establish an ongoing line of communication with these youth is particularly
critical.

With implementation of CC25, youth would experience continuity in regards to services directed
to promote self-sufficiency and durable connections to support people and service systems both
pre- and post-emancipation, with a consistent message to the youth and those supporting the
youth’s progress that this assistance extends past emancipation. This message would increase
the likelihood of emancipated youth being predisposed and motivated to continue their contact
with the Independent Living Program and the CC25 network of services and opportunities.

Recent outreach efforts have included direct mailings and telephone calls to current and former

foster youth, as well as efforts to recruit youth through referrals from collaborating ILP service
provider agencies, current and former foster care and relative caregivers, and other youth
supporters.

In addition to the development of an article regarding the Unclassified Position Program for
Emancipated Foster Youth on the County’s Web site, SSA/DFCS is planning a Web site for
CC25. The CC25 Web site will have a section designed for youth, including information and
links to connect youth with opportunities and services, and Web sites of interest or value to
youth (e.g., college loans. Employment Development Department(EDD)and Workforce
Investment Act(WIA) agencies, California Youth Connection, etc.). The CC25 Training and
Employment Workgroup is focusing on development of outreach strategies.

Foster Youth Initiative Update

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SSA/DFCS is establishing a Foster Youth Employment Unit that would consist of 2 Employment
Counselors and an Employment Program Supervisor. This Unit would be a significant
enhancement to the CC25 Foster Youth Initiative, including strengthening outreach efforts.
Seasonai and Short-Term Employment Opportunities

Some seasonal and short-term employment opportunities include:

• County Park Service Attendant and Library Page positions

• County Student Intern positions for students attending high school, college and graduate
school (please see Attachment B for more information). County Departments initiate
requests for Student Interns.

• Summer or after-school jobs through the Employment Development Department’s Job
Seeker Services and WIA Youth Services at One-Stop Career Centers.

Barriers to Employment

Barriers to empioying foster youth inciude;

• Limited education/low performance in reading and math skills
•

Insufficient income

• Homelessness or marginal housing/limited low income housing
• Availability of paid work experience programs

• Limited job training and on-the-job coaching/mentoring to provide guidance and support
• Locating, recruiting and maintaining a connection with former foster youth who are not
participate in ongoing ILP services
• Difficulty meeting minimum job qualifications

• Personal issues (e.g., mental health, physical health, substance abuse, parenting/childcare,
legal problems, transportation, etc.)

• Maturity (e.g., adjusting to work place culture, job expectation/performance, interpersonal
skills, anger management/conflict resolution, maintaining boundaries between personal life
and work, appreciating and respecting diversity, etc.)

• Availability of opportunities in more rural areas, such as South County.
Employment Development Department(EDD)

EDD and WIA agencies are the primary partners co-located in One-Stop Career Centers. One

of the functions of EDD is client employment services, which generally address the employment

needs of people who can benefit from group or self-service approaches to finding work. The
County’s WIA agencies are the Silicon Valley Workforce Investment Network (SVWIN)and the
North Valley Job Training Consortium (NOVA). These agencies generally provide targeted and
individualized employment training services, such as Youth Employment Services.

In addition to client employment services for youth, adults and seniors, EDD offers the Youth
Employment Opportunity Program (YEOP). This program, which began in 1989, provides
special services to youth, ages 15 to 21, to assist them in achieving their educational and
vocational goals. Services include peer advising, referrals to supportive services, workshops,
job referrals and placement assistance, and referrals to training and community outreach
efforts. Any youth who is at risk of not achieving their educational goals is eligible. If a youth is
thinking of dropping out of school (high school, continuation school, college or vocational
training), or has already dropped out, they are eligible to enroll. Eligibility criteria also include
high risk characteristics, including: youthful offender, poor literacy skills, teen parent, limited

Foster Youth Initiative Update

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English skills, foster youth, homeless youth, gang member/associate, member of a minority
group and economically disadvantaged. The EDD Mentors and YEOP Specialists provide the
employment services, and assist by removing barriers to enable the youth to remain in or return
to school.®

Implementation Status of the California Connected by 25 Foster Youth Initiative

Eight CC25 Workgroups have been meeting once or twice a month since February 2006 (See
Attachment C). The DFCS Initiatives Implementation Team is the steering group composed of
SSA/DFCS management, chairs of the Workgroups and critical community stakeholders who
also meet on a monthly basis. Forty-two (42) of 83 organizations and groups invited to

participate are currently involved in the Workgroups (see Attachments D and E). Eighteen of
the 39 organizations and groups who are not yet participating are local school districts.
Recruitment for the Workgroups is ongoing. Most Workgroups have started with a focus on

obtaining baseline data and review of current and previous program models, as well as, synergy
directed to evolve new paradigms for thinking about best practices and new program models to

serve foster youth.
Continuum of Care Housing Workgroup

Stable housing is a critical basic need for former foster youth. The first year benchmarks

for the Continuum of Care Housing Workgroup are to complete a Transitional Housing

Program-Plus(THP+) plan, establish linkages to the Foster Youth Housing Initiative
providers for 20 youth, and develop housing needs assessment for 17-year olds.
The Workgroup has focused primary attention on finalizing the County’s application for a

THP+ program. THP+ is a housing option established in 2001 with the passage of AB
427 that provides a negotiated placement rate for THP+ providers. Two models would

be utilized to support the housing needs of emancipated foster youth: the Host Family
Model, which involves a youth’s foster care provider transitioning to become the youth’s
JHP+ provider and payee for THP+ funds, and a Shared Housing Model, which would
place 3-4 youth together in their own housing unit. DFCS would initially administer the
program and management operations. A contractor would be used in regards to the
Shared Housing Model. The Workgroup plans to analyze data to determine how many
youth might be considered for THP+ housing alternatives, and to send out a survey to

foster youth caregivers to determine the level of ongoing contact they have with youth
after they emancipate from the foster care system and the caregivers’ level of interest in
becoming a Host Family.

In a related development, the California Department of Social Services recently approved
two new Transitional Housing Placement Programs(THPP)for Santa Clara County at St.
Andrew's Residential (S.T.A.R.) and Unity Care Group, Inc. These providers join the Bill
Wilson Center in providing this valuable placement resource for current foster youth.
THPP is a community care licensed placement opportunity for youth in foster care, age

16 to 18, who will be emancipating from the child welfare system at age 18. The goal of
THPP is to help participants emancipate successfully by providing a safe environment for
youth to practice the skills learned in ILP. Participants live with roommates in apartments
and single-family dwellings with regular support and supervision provided by THPP
provider staff, county social workers and ILP coordinators. Supportive services include

® For more information about EDD, visit their Web site at http://vww.edd.ca.qov/eddv.htm.

Page 5 of 8

Foster Youth Initiative Update

regular visits to participants' residences; educational guidance, employment counseling

and assistance reaching emancipation goals outlined in participants’ Transitional
Independent Living Plans.
Training and Employment Workgroup

The first year benchmarks for the Training and Employment Workgroup are to establish
a Career Pathways Project to serve 40 youth served with a 80% completion rate, and
increase youth involved in One-Stop Centers and the DFCS Work Experience program.
As previously indicated, this Workgroup is taking the lead in developing outreach
strategies.

The Workgroup has collaborated with consultants who are drafting the final grant
proposal for SVWIN’s request for a one-time grant of $200,000 from the Walter S.
Johnson Foundation for the first year cost of implementation. The proposal must outline
how funding for the program will be sustained after the first year of operations, which
involves budget information from participating community colleges. The Career

Pathways Program will create a community college career pathway for 40 foster care and
disadvantaged youth leading to post-secondary education and employment in high wage,
high growth career sectors (i.e., bio-science, financial services, health care, retail,
tourism and hospitality and information technology). Attaining a GED or high school
development for 20 students to
diploma is not required for participation. Plans are under
next
Spring by another 20 youth
start the program this Fall at Mission College, followed
starting at San Jose City College and 20 more at Mission College.

The workgroup is also discussing how to serve youth who are not scholastically ready for
the Career Pathways Program (minimally performing at a 7-8th grade level in reading
and math) by referrals to educational opportunities where develop their scholastic
abilities(“warm hand-offs”). A single training and employment assessment tool for foster
youth that would be consistently administered by SVWIN and a pre-assessment
screening process to identify youth with different training or employment needs are also
under development.

Financial Literacy Workgroup

^

The first year benchmarks for the Financial Literacy Workgroup are to use Opportunity
Passport technical assistance to develop a youth mentor program, a financial literacy
curriculum, an Individual Development Accounts(IDA) program, and create 30 accounts
for youth. Collateral benchmarks include establishing partnerships with banks, youth and
community boards, and “door opener” opportunities (e.g., discounts, preferred access to
services and opportunities). Six (6) banking institutions have expressed an interest in
being involved in the IDA program.

This Workgroup is developing a survey to identify youth’s needs in regards to financial
literacy. The survey would be administered to foster youth by members of the Youth
Advisory Board (YAB). Participating YAB members would receive a stipend for their
work. The Workgroup is also contacting local banks to identify partners for the Individual
Development Accounts Program. The Jim Casey Foundation is providing technical
support. The William and Flora Hewett Fountain will be asked to grant $150,000 for 3
years ($50,000 per year) to initially establish the accounts and to match participant’s
deposits. The Walter S. Johnson Foundation previously provided a grant of $30,000

Foster Youth Initiative Update

Page 6 of 8

over the next three years in annual installments of $10,000 a year for Foster Youth
Savings Accounts, which will require an equal annual match by the County.
K-12 Education Workgroup

The first year benchmarks for the K-12 Education Workgroup are to develop
partnerships with local schools to assist 30 foster youth in a pilot program to improve
math and reading skills; develop educational rights training; develop, test and implement

youth educational needs assessments; and, develop a literacy and math skills plan. A
local high school district with a high concentration of foster youth has been identified as a
potential partner in the pilot program to improve reading and math.
The Workgroup has reviewed a data model used in Los Angeles County to determine
demographics and aggregate data for foster youth students in the Los Angeles Unified
School District. Meaningful review of student’s academic standing date is limited
because the Child Welfare Services Case Management System client database could be
more

fully utilized to record educational data. DFCS policies and procedures to improve

CWS/CMS data are under development.

The Workgroup has also discussed the idea of standing court orders and Memorandum
of Understandings to address confidentiality issues and to facilitate communication about
students between schools and DFCS. San Francisco County policies and procedures

designed to facilitate the timely transfer of students records when foster youth move and
a student transfer notification system to ensure prompt enrollment of foster children and
youth in Sacramento County are under study.
Resource Development and Utilization (ILP) Workgroup

The first year benchmarks for the Resource Development and Utilization (ILP)
Workgroup are to develop an Early ILP Education and Outreach Program, strengthen

integration of services between ILP service providers and develop education and training

for caregivers.

This Workgroup is studying how to increase access and participation in the ILP, including

the content of the current programs in the contract ILP service provider agencies,
communication between youths’ social workers and the ILP, and communication
between the ILP and the youth’s caregivers and support systems.

The format and content of the now deactivated Youth Leadership Program and other

peer support and mentoring approaches have been examined to conceptualize the best
approach to provide youth ages 14 and 15 with a program to prepare them for ILP
Services at age 16. This Workgroup is also changed with identifying client needs and
planning how best to ensure the availability of critical support services to enable youth to
maximize their participation in educational, employment and housing opportunities (e.g.,

counseling, childcare, legal services, etc.).
Joint Decision-Making Workgroup

The first year benchmarks for the Joint Decision-Making Workgroup are to develop an

Emancipation Conference plan to ensure all emancipating foster youth have
conferences, including conferences designed to specifically examine each youth’s
Transitional Independent Living Plan at age 16.

Foster Youth Initiative Update

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This Workgroup envisions a series of conferences beginning when a foster youth is age
14 designed to rally family and support people to help the youth get on course and stay
on course towards successfully acquiring life skills, and accomplishing educational and
career objectives, within the context of a stable living environment and necessary
supportive services.
Family Finding Workgroup

The first year benchmarks for the Family Finding are to identify best practices to ensure

permanency for youth, link 40 foster youth with caring committed adults, and develop
permanency and resiliency training for DFCS staff and other CC25 partners.

The Workgroup is beginning with an analysis of the characteristics of youth who are
currently receiving permanency services from DFCS. Their work will necessitate
identifying 40 youth who would particularly benefit from establishment of supportive,
long-term relationship with an adult relative, locating relatives and facilitating
establishment of solid and meaningful relationships.
DFCS Initiatives Data Workgroup

The first year benchmarks for the DFCS Initiatives Data Workgroup are to train staff on a
new data system to be used by the five participating CC25 counties and to start entering
Francisco, Fresno and
data. (The CC25 counties are Santa Clara, Alameda, San
CC
25
Evaluation Team, which is
Stanislaus.) The system is under development by the
composed of professors, graduate assistants and a consultant from the University of
California, Berkeley and San Jose State University. Two systems are under

consideration:

• In December 2005, SSA/DFCS staff received a demonstration of a Web-based

system developed by Sacramento County. It allows users to track and store data,
and determine targeted outcomes. It can accommodate altering, adding and deleting
data variables to accommodate individual counties and county-specific outcome
tracking. It offers an emancipation survey templates for youth to complete. The
CC25 Evaluation Team is looking into how this application can be made available to
other data contributors, such as ILP service provider agencies. There might be little

cost to the CC25 Initiate to obtain and modify this system for use.

“Efforts• In April 2006, SSA/DFCS staff received a demonstration of SocialSolutions’
Web
site
to-Outcomes”(ETC)software. As described at the SocialSolutions
(httpi/Zwvw.socialsolutionsonline.com/),‘ETO is a secure, flexible, comprehensive,
Web-based application for human services agencies that enables organizations to

track information across multiple unique programs; record unlimited client

demographics, case notes, assessments and outcomes for distinct programs; and,
generate standard and special reports to demonstrate the effects of an organization s
efforts on program outcomes. ETO accommodates concurrent staff usage, and multi
level user-access determined by the system administrator that can be easily disabled
or amended. Software is upgraded and enhanced monthly at no additional charge.
Social Solutions provides user-specific training, which means shorter training and
more

rapid staff ownership. An industry-expert customer support team provides real-

Foster Youth Initiative Update

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time online support as well as phone and email support as needed.’ ILP contract
service provider agencies would be along the data contributors. Youth would be able
to go on line to conduct self-assessments and surveys. Information from other data
systems can be uploaded into ETO if it is in a file format that matches ETO language.
The cost of ETO is $120 per user per year. Staff can share user data entry sites.

Attachment B

STUDENT INTERNSHIP BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Background Information

On May 21, 2002 the Board of Supervisors approved four new additions to the extra-help
classifications in the 2001-2002 Salary Ordinance. On June 4, 2002 the Board adopted a salary
ordinance to approve the creation of eight Extra Help classifications: They include the following
titles:

Student Intern. Level I and Student Intern. Level 1-715

• High school students enrolled in regular high-school classes or those enrolled in an
alternative vocational high-school or students working toward high school equivalency
Student Intern. Level II and Student Intern, Level 1-715

• Freshman or Sophomore year college students
• Community college students
• Vocational school students who have completed high school
Student Intern. Level III and Student Intern Level 1-715

• Junior or Senior year college students

• Individuals assigned to this classification would only be eligible to work in a position related
to the student’s field of study

Student Intern. Level IV and Student Intern Level 1-715

• Professional and graduate school students

• Individuals assigned to this classification would only be eligible to work in a position related
to the student’s field of study

These classifications are based on educational levels rather than job duties. The level of

appointment is governed by a determination of the student’s standing with respect to his/her

degree objective and not simply by numbers of units earned, Student Interns would be
unclassified, extra-help positions. Hours per year are limited to 1040 per fiscal year in
accordance with Merit System Rule A25-188-Substitute extra-help Appointments. These hours

can

be performed full-time during the summer and/or part-time during the school year, with the

proposed work pattern approved by the Agency.

For a Student Intern, Level 1-715, the first 30,000 hours of each fiscal year worked vnll be
counted at half the rate toward the 715 extra-help cap. After 30,000 hours have been worked,
each hour will count towards the extra-help cap. For example, 20 hours worked will count as 10
hours towards the extra-help cap.

Source: Santa Clara County Employee Services Agency

Attachment B

Page 2 of 3

General Categories

In general, Student Interns will assist professional and technical employees in the performance of
their duties under close supervision. Specific tasks will vary with the Agency/Department to

which they are assigned for a particular work period. For the Agency as a whole, it is expected
that the level of education and capabilities attained by Student Interns will be fully capitalized.

Although paid interns would actually be employees of the County, there is value in referring to

the positions as internships, since the recruitment target is students, and a primary driver is a
desire to market the County as a potential employer to students. The following generalized areas

of sophistication will be expected ofthe four levels of Student Interns;
Student Intern Level I:

High School students: They would be closely supervised and work as
assistants. They would be responsible for learning the Agency’s or

Department’s policies, procedures and methods of operation; collecting
and tabulating data; and learning how to interpret such.

Student Intern

Level II:

In addition to the above. Level II Student Interns would be able to

evaluate information gained in accordance with established policies and
procedures and assist professional staff members in ongoing project
work.

Student Intern -

Level III Student Interns would be able to perform all ofthe above and

Level III:

to participate in project work in an increasingly responsible role. They
could also participate in team analysis of problems and in the

preparation of reports under the supervision of professionals.
Student Intern -

Level IV:

In addition to all of the above, the Level IV Student Intern, under the

supervision of professionals, could assume responsibility for

preliminary studies, analysis, and recommendations on systems,
devices, machines, and procedures of the Agency/Department.

Pay Structure

These intern classifications are established on a broad range,

Since the generic intern

classifications would be used to hire into a variety ofjob families, a broad salary range allows

the opportunity to set pay appropriate to the job family. Pay ranges will be as follows;
•
•
•
•

Student Intern, Level I
Student Intern, Level II
Student Intern, Level III
Student Intern, Level IV

$8.00-$10.00/hour
$11.00 - $16.00 / hour
$16.00-$20.00/hour

$18.00 - $25.00 / hour

Source: Santa Clara County Employee Services Agency

Attachment B

Page 3 of 3

Student Eligibility

In order to qualify for the Student Intern classifications, a student must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident alien, or a non-citizen with proof of eligibility to
work in the United States. Certain individuals under eighteen may require work permits.
• Be enrolled in an accredited institution or a school licensed by a state agency. Have attended
that institution for at least one semester

• Have an overall institutional grade point average of at least 2.5 on a four-point scale
• Submit a completed application for employment
• Pass a physical exam

Verification and Audit Procedures

Prior to hiring a student or recent graduate into one of the proposed intern classifications,

departments would need to verify both the student’s status with the school and enrollment in a
defined program of study that is aligned with the intern position the student will fill.
Departmental use of these classifications would be subject to audit from ESA Human Resources
to ensure that they are being used for the defined purposes of introducing the County to students
potential employer and providing practical work experience to local students. The recent
graduate category would also be monitored to ensure that no one is working as an intern longer
as a

than six months following graduation.

Source; Santa Clara County Employment Services Agency

California Connected by 25 Initiative (CC25)Implementation Workgroups

Attachment C

Page 1 of 2

Strategies and Tasks - Year 2006
1

m
r

..I G.apAnaiysi

Continuum of Care

Housing
Chairs;

• Frank Motta, SSA
• Michelle Covert,
Emergency Housing
Consortium (EHC)

rr:—3-

ii;:;

Additional affordable housing slots
needed for transitioning foster youth
High cost of housing
Lack of support for caregivers to
sustain housing placements

Lifebuilders

Ye

1

_

•

U

I

-

XDne.Benchmarks

g'<;

r

-‘9'J

THP + plan completed
• Develop THP + application to CDSS
Linkages established to the Foster
to support Transitional Housing
Model
Youth Housing Initiative providers with
20 youth served
• Develop referral process with
community housing providers which
Housing needs assessment developed
receive funding under the Foster
for 17-year olds
Youth Housing Initiative
» Explore replication of Orangewood

Linkage Program with local housing

• Sparky Harlan, Bill Wilson

providers

Center

Training and Employment • Lack of employment/training programs
Chairs;

• Suzanne Wolf, Silicon
Valley Workforce
Investment Network

(SVWIN)
• Linda Chang, ILP,
SSA/DFCS

for emancipating foster youth which
leads to high wage, high growth
careers

• Lack of partnerships with local
employment/training service providers

Career Pathways Project established
40 youth served with 80% completion
rate

Prepare and plan for Career
Pathways Project grant
Serve first cohort of youth in Fali

Increase youth involved in One-Stop

2006

Centers

Develop strategies to enable
emancipating and emancipated
foster youth access to One-Stop and
other county funded employment
training services
Develop DFCS Work Experience

DFCS Work Experience program

and funders

• No current foster youth participating in
existing employment and training
programs offered County One-Stop
centers

Financial Literacy
Chairs;

• Mary Grimm, SSA/DFCS
• Wendy Kinnear, SSA/DFCS

i-iYear One Straf^i
g;-^;??:P|anningi^^

Lack of financial competency among
foster youth
Lack of financial security for foster
youth upon emancipation

Opportunity Passport technical
assistance

Develop youth mentor program
Develop financial literacy curriculum
Develop Individual Development
Accounts (IDA) program and create 30
accounts for youth
Establish banking partnerships
Establish youth and community boards
Establish five initial “door opener”

program
Receive technical assistance from

Jim Casey Youth Opportunities
Initiative to establish IDA program
Identify IDA county match
Identify baking partnerships
Identify CBO to provide financial
literacy skills
Create door opener program

opportunities
K-12 Education
Chair-

. Leslie Griffith ERP,
SSA/DFCS

March 31,2006

• Lack of accurate assessment data at

entry into the foster care system
• Academic and behavioral/emotional

• Pilot partnerships established with
local schools to assist 30 foster youth
in raising math and reading skills

problems due to a history of abuse
and neglect
• Educational rights training developed
• Frequent changes in home and school
• Youth educational needs assessments
placement

• Develop strategies to improve
educational outcomes

• Develop partnerships with local
schools to improve educational
outcomes for foster youth
• Provide quarterly educational rights
training for child welfare workers.

California Connected by 25 Initiative(CC25)Implementation Workgroups
Strategies and Tasks - Year 2006
^

^

m

^. Workgroups .r.-

Gap Analysis

i * Year One Benchrmr^i

^

K-12 Education

(continued)

• Changing school during mid-year
• Not enrolling in or attending school
immediately upon a change in

developed, tested and implemented
• Literacy and math skills plan
developed

residence

• Lost, missing incomplete or
unavailable school records

»

Lack of intensive intervention

Attachment C

Page 2 of 2

Year One Stfategies/Major
1' .

Planning Activities

caregivers and agencies
• Complete needs assessment for
youth ages 14 to 18 years including
review of educational testing scores,
report cards, and attendance
• Develop plan to increase reading
and math skills of youth, ages 14-18
years

programs to remedial deficits

• Lack of 10* grade literacy and math
skills

Resource Development
and Utilization (ILP)
Chairs:-

• Lack of comprehensive services
• Lack of early ILP program for 14 and
15-year olds

• Dana Bunnett, Kids in
Common

• Leon Bassett, SSA/DFCS

Joint Decision-Making
Chairs:

• Stefan ie Nieto-Johnson,
SSA/DFCS

• Elena Maria Burn,
SSA/DFCS

• Early ILP education and outreach
program developed
• More integration between ILP
providers realized
• Caregiver education and training
developed

• Develop early ILP education and
outreach program to 14 and 15 year olds
• Develop more integration between
DECS and ILP contract providers
• Develop caregiver education and
training outreach program in an
effort to increase ILP participation
• Create policies and procedures to
ensure that all emancipating foster
youth have an emancipation

• Inconsistency in holding emancipation • Emancipation Conference plan
conferences
developed to ensure all emancipating
foster youth have conferences
• Inconsistency in preparing and
conference
• Plan developed to hold TILPs for all 16
monitoring TILPs to ensure foster
youth receive services
• Create policies and procedures to
year -olds
hold TILP meetings for all 16-year
olds with 6 month follow ups on
progress

Family Finding
Chairs:-

• Craig Wolfe, EMQ Children
and Family Services
• Leiam Rodarte, SSA/DFCS

• Lack of permanent lifelong
connections to caring committed
adults

• Best permanency practices identified
and plan developed to link 40 foster
youth with caring committed adults
• Staff permanency and resiliency
training developed

• Develop model best practices to
increase number of emancipating
foster youth with lifelong

• Data System created
• Train staff on data entry

• Work with UC-Berkeley to create

• Enter baseline data

• Train staff

connections

• Train staff on model permanency
best practices and for foster youth
on resiliency

DFCS Initiatives Data
Chairs;

• Dana Sugiyama,
SSA/DFCS

• Lan Nguyen, SSA/DFCS
March 31, 2006

♦ Lack of comprehensive data set on
emancipating and emancipated foster
youth in CWS/CMS

database
• Enter baseline data

California Connected by 25 Initiative (CC25)Implementation Workgroups
Participating Agencies and Groups - April 2006
Wm

W-

4lvM
5SV

CC25I Workgroup ,.
1.

1-

%

m

Continuum of Care

•

Advent Youth Ministries

Housing Workgroup

•

Bill Wilson Center

2. Training and
Employment Workgroup

•

Emergency Housing Consortium Lifebuilders

•
•

EML Group Home
EMQ Children and Family Services

•

Foster and Adoptive Parents Association

Attachment D

Page 1 of 2
VM

m

•

Rebekah Children’s Services

»

SSA/DFCS (Office of the SSA Director, DFCS Administrative Support

.

•
•

M
m

Mim

Bill Wilson

Community Solutions
County Counsel

• Emergency Housing Consortium (EHC)
• Family and Children’s Services
• Foster and Adoptive Parents Association
.

•

MACSA

Mission College

•

North Valley Job Training Consortium (NOVA)

•

Offices of County Supervisors

•
•

Rebekah Children’s Services
San Jose Charter School

•

San Jose City College

•

Silicon Valley Children’s Fund

• Silicon Valley Workforce I nvestment Network (SVWIN)
• SSA/DFCS (Department of Employment and Benefit Services, DFCS
Administrative Support)

3. Financial Literacy
Workgroup

•

State Department of Rehabilitation

•

DC Berkeley

•

Union Representatives

•

Unity Care

•

West Valley College

•

Bill Wilson Center

•

Community Solutions

• Emergency Housing Consortium (EHC)
•
•
.

•

Family and Children’s Services
Foster and Adoptive Parents Association
MACSA

Greater Bay Banks

• SSA/DFCS (Continuing Services, Early Intervention and Community Service
Bureau -Family Resource Centers, DFCS South County Services, Children’s
Shelter, ILP, Joint Decision Making)
4.

•

Unity Care

K-12 Education

•

Beacon School

Workgroup

•

Community Solutions

• County Office of Education Foster Youth Services
•

EMQ Children and Family Services

•

First Five

•

Foster and Adoptive Parents

•

Kaiser Permanente

•

Mt. Pleasant School District

•

Moreland School District

•

Silicon Valley Children’s fund

•

U.C. Berkeley

• Silicon Valley Law Foundation, Legal Advocates for Children and Youth (LACY)
March 31, 2006

California Connected by 25 Initiative (CC25)Implementation Workgroups
Participating Agencies and Groups - April 2006
11

Ifiis
1-

Attachment D

Page 2 of 2

HfS

s

as

im! MM

Unity Care
University of Santa Clara
5,

Resource Utilization and

Bill Wilson Center

Development Workgroup

Community Solutions

Court Appointed Special Advocates
EMQ Children and Family Services

Family and Children’s Services
Foster and Adoptive Parents Association
Future Families

Silicon Valley Children’s Fund

SSA/DFCS (Continuing Services. Early Intervention and Community Service
Bureau -Family Resource Centers)
Steele Wright Group Homes
UC Berkeley
Unity Care
Youth Advisory Board
Bill Wilson Center

6. Joint Decision-Making
Workgroup

Community Solutions
County Counsel

Family and Children Services
FamiliesFirst

Foster and Adoptive Parents Association
MACSA

Mental Health Department
Moss Beach Group Home
Next Door Solutions
Sacred Heart

SSA/DFCS (Continuing Services, Early Intervention and Community Service
Bureau, -Family Resource Centers, Joint Decision Making, Emergency

Response Services, ILP, Placement Support Services, Children’s Shelter),

DFCS South County Services, Information Systems, Court Services)
•

7. Family Finding
Workgroup

Moss Beach Homes

»

Unity Care

•

EMQ Children and Family Service

•

Foster and Adoptive Parents Association

•

Rebekah Children’s Services

• SSA/DFCS (Continuing Services, Early Intervention and Community Service
Bureau, -Family Resource Centers, Placement Support Services, Children’s
Shelter)
8.

DFCS Initiatives Data

•
•

Community Technology Alliance
Foster and Adoptive Parents Association

•

Kids in Common

•

San Jose State University

• SSA/DFCS (Office of the SSA Director, DFCS Administrative Support, Joint
Decision Making, Continuing Services, Staff Development, Information Systems
Emergency Response, ILP, Foster Care Eligibility)
•
•

March 31, 2006

Steel-Wright Group Homes
UC Berkeley

Attachment E

Page 1 of 2

California Connected by 25 Initiative(CC25)Implementation Workgroups

Agencies and Groups Invited to Participate and Participating - April 2006
Participating as of April 2006

Invited to Participate
1.
2.

ACS Teen Homes
Advent FFA

3. Alum Rock Unified School District

1.
2.
3.

Advent Youth Ministries
Beacon School
Bill Wilson Center

5. Berryessa School District

4. Community Solutions
5. County Counsel

6.

6. County Office of Education Foster Youth Services

4,

Beacon School

Bill Wilson Center

7. California Youth Connection
8, Cambrian School District

7. Court Appointed Special Advocates

9. Campbell Unified School District

9. Emergency Housing Consortium Lifebuilders

10. Chamberlains Children’s Center

10. EML Group Homes
11. EMQ Children and Family Services

11. Children’s Home Society

8. District Attorney^

12. City of San Jose Housing Department

12. FamiliesFirst

13. Community Solutions
14. County Counsel

13. Family and Children Services
14. First Five

15. Foster and Adoptive Parents Association

15. County Health And Hospitals System
16. County Office of Education
17. Court Appointed Special Advocates

16. Future Families

18. Cupertino School District

18. Kaiser Permanente
19. Kids in Common

19. Dependency Legal Services
20. District Attorney

17. Greater Bay Banks

20. Mexican American Community Services Agency
(MACSA)

21. Eastside Union High School District

22, Emergency Housing Consortium (EHC)
23. EML Group Homes
24. EMQ Children and Family Services

25. Evelyn Cox FFA
26. FamiliesFirst

27. Family and Children's Services

21. Mental Health Department
22. Mission College
23. Mooreland School District
24. Moss Beach Homes

25. Mount. Pleasant School District
26. Next Door Solutions

28. First Five

27, North Valley Job Training Consortium (NOVA)

29. Foster and Adoptive Parents Association

28. Offices of the Supervisors, Santa Clara County

30. Fremont Union School District

29. Rebekah Children's Services

31. Future Families

30. Sacred Heart

32. Greater Bay Banks

31. San Jose State University

33. Help One Child FFA

32. Silicon Valley Children's Fund

34. Hosanna Homes

33. Silicon Valley Law Foundation, Legal Advocates for
Children and Youth (LACY)

35. Jeremiah’s Promise FFA
36. Juvenile Defenders
37, Kaiser Permanente
38. Kid in Common

34. Silicon Valley Workforce Investment Network
(SVWIN)

35. Social Services Agency. Department of Family and
Children's Services, Department of Employment and
Benefits Services) Office of the Agency Director,
DFCS Administrative Support, Early Intervention
and Community Service Bureau -Family Resource
Centers, DFCS South County Services, Foster Care

39, Kinship Center

40. Kinship Grandparent Caregivers Center
41. Lakeside School District

42, Lilliput Group Homes
43. Loma Prieta School District
44. Los Altos School District
45. Los Gatos Schooi District

Eligible, Children’s Shelter, ILP, Joint Decision

46. Mental Health Department
47. Mexican American Community Services Agency
(MACSA)

Independent Living Program, Placement Support

Making), Emergency Response Services,

48. Milpitas Unified School District’

Services, Children’s Shelter, Court Services Bureau,
SSA Information Systems, Staff Development,)
36. State Department of Rehabilitation

49. Mission College

37. Steele Wright Group Homes

50. Moreland School District

38. UC Berkeley

51. Moss Beech Homes

39. Union Representatives

Represented on the DFCS Initiatives Implementation Team

Attachment E

Page 2 of 2
Invited to Participate

Participating as of April 2006

52. Mount Pleasant School District

40. Unity Care

53. Next Door Solutions

41. University of Santa Clara
42. Youth Advisory Board

54. North Valley Job Training Consortium (NOVA)
55. Offices of the Supervisors, Santa Clara County
56. Overfelt High School
57. Palo Alto Unified School District
58. Probation Department
59. Rebekah Children's Services
60. Residential Care Services for Children

61. Resources for Families and Communities
62. Sacred Heart

63. San Jose Charter School

64. San Jose City Community College
65. San Jose State University
66. San Jose Unified School District

67. Santa Clara County Office of Affordable Housing
68. Santa Clara Unified School District
69. Santa Clara University

70. Saratoga School District
71. Silicon Valley Children’s Fund

72. Silicon Valley Law Foundation, Legal Advocates for
Children and Youth (LACY)

73. Silicon Valley Workforce Investment Network
(SVWIN)
74. Star Group Homes

75. Starlight Adolescent Center
76. State Department of Rehabilitation
77. Steele Wright Group Homes
78. Union Representatives
79. Union School District

80. Unity Care

81. University of Santa Clara

82. West Valley Community College
83. Youth Advisory Board