Committee Agenda Date iDecember 8, 2004

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

CSFC SSA02 120804

Prepared by: Randy Parker
Social Work Supervisor
Reviewed by: Norma Doctor Sparks
Director, Department of
Family and Children's
Services
DATE:

December 8, 2004

TO:

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

FROM:

Will Lightbourne

Agency Director, Social Services Agency
SUBJECT: Independent Living Program Annual Report and Contracts

RKCOMMENDKT)ACTION

Accept Independent Living Program Annual Report and and report on Contracts.
FISCAL IMPTTCATIONS

There are no fiscal implications associated with the recommended action.

Board of Supervisors: Donald F, Gage, Blanca .^klvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive; Peter Kutras Jr.
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Committee Agenda Date :December 8, 2004

CONTRACT HISTORY

Please see "Reasons for Recommendation.

REASONS FOR RECOMMENDATION

The Children, Seniors and Families Committee requested this Independent Living Program
Annual Report and report on Contracts.
OVERVIEW

The Department of Family and Children's Services(DFCS)Independent Living Skills
Program (ILP)serves youth between the ages of 16 and 21 who are either preparing to exit
from foster care or who have recently emancipated. Youth referred by the Juvenile Probation
Department and from other counties and states are also served.
In Federal Fiscal Year 2004, the Independent Living Program served 554 youth:
- 473 completed ILP services

-41 completed high school/GED or adult education
- 320 continued enrollment in high school/GED or adult education
-111 enrolled in college

— 201 obtained employment(includes full & part time, military, Job Corps and California
Conservation Corps)
- 547 were unmarried, 7 were married

- 376 were ages 16-21 years

- 178 were ages 16-21 years referred by the Probation Department
-213 were ages 18-20 years
SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY ILP SERVICES

ILP services focus on individualized service objectives to improve each young person's ability
and confidence to make decisions and achieve goals in four primary areas: housing,

employment, education, and life skills training. ILP services also include supportive services,

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 :December 8, 2004

such as group and/or individual counseling, workshops, referrals to community resources,
employment development, vocational training,job placement/retention, and colleges financial
aid. Services are monitored, coordinated and supported as necessary by DFCS ILP staff
include:

- Collaboration with 5 contract agencies that provide live skills training and link youth to

housing, educational and employment development opportunities in the community
- ILP services for youth placed out-of County/State

- Transitional Housing Placement Programs(THPP)for current foster youth
- Emancipation Conferences
- Extended Medi-Cal for Former Foster Care Children (FFCC)
- Assistance with Immigration Issues

— Support of the Santa Clara County Chapter of the California Youth Connection
- The Unclassified Office Specialist II Program

- Certificates and vouchers for drivers' education, training and DMV fees

Services also hinge on key community partners providing housing, education/training,
employment and live skills opportunities for our current and former foster youth.
ILP Contract Agencies

Five community-based youth service organizations provide foster youth referred from DFCS
and Juvenile Probation with the necessary life skills training, workshops and assistance and

necessary to suecessfully make a successful transition to self-sufficiency. The ILP
contractors provide their services in four geographical areas (North, South, East, West
County) and one category of out-of-home placement(youth in group homes).

resources

The contract agencies' budget information is as follows:
FY 04

FY 04

FY 05

Year-to-Date

Budget^

Budget

Budget

Expenditures

Bill Wilson Center

$185,067

$185,067

$182,941

$37,041 as of 8/04

Community Solutions

$181,032

$181,032

$182,941

$52,485 as of 9/04

Ageney

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 :Decernber 8, 2004

$176,793

$176,307

$182,941

$59,566 as of 10/04

$165,250

$165,250

$182,941

$60,644 as of 10/04

Unity Care Group

$185,696

$183,614

$182,941

$46,703 as of 9/04

Totals

$893,838

$891,270

$914,705

$256,439

Family and Children's
Services

Social Advocates for
Youth

Note: The contract amount for each agency for the 19-month period, December 2002 - June
2004 was $275,613

Youth receive incentives distributed by contract agencies (e.g., cash, gift certificate, food or

items) to participate in monthly events and weekly workshops where youth obtain helpful
information, skills and resources (as well as college credits) beneficial to their transition to

independent living. Attendance averages 10-35 youth per workshop. Events and workshops
are usually held on weekends or during evening hours. Incentives are provided by the 5 ILP
contract agencies from their allocations. For FY 05, $65,526 is budgeted for incentives, and
expenditures for 240 children have totaled $12,558.

Emancipated Youth Stipends are paid directly to the youth by the ILP contract agencies
program to meet the special needs of emancipated foster youth ages 18—21 years who have
aged out of the foster care system and continue to participate in the ILP program. Stipends
may be used for specific costs in the areas of transportation, health services, housing
assistance, aftercare, work related costs, and costs associated with children of emancipated
youth. This is a state funded ILP program. Contractor agencies are reimbursed from a separate
fund administered by the Social Services agency. Eligible youth can receive up to $1500 per
fiscal year from this funding source. For FY 05, $80,655 is budgeted for stipends. As of
September 30, 2004, 84 youth have received stipends totaling $24,952.

Employment is an integral part of transitioning to independent living. ILP assists foster youth
in career assessment and developing job search skills necessary to obtain good paying, stable
jobs. Youth are assisted during the job search process, and receive ongoing job leads and
feedback about their job search efforts. Job retention skills are developed to support the youth
throughout his or her work career. Please see "Key Community Partners" for more
information about employment services for youth.

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jirn Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
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Committee Agenda Date :December 8, 2004

ILP Services for Youth Placed Out—of County/State

ILP services are provided by the ILP program in the community in which the youth resides,
under the direction of the local ILP coordinator. DFCS ILP staff provide assistance as

necessary. The Santa Clara County ILP reimburses other counties for incentives and
Emancipated Youth Stipends paid to Santa Clara County youth. Incentives for participation
totaling $10,000 are set aside for FY 05. Reimbursement to date totals $1,225 for 6 youth.
Transitional Housing Placement Programs for Current Foster Youth

Transitional Housing Placement Programs(THPP)provide housing and supportive services to
prepare foster youth who are approaching emancipation to live independently and assume
responsibility for meeting their own needs, thereby reducing the likelihood of homelessness

and/or the need for public social services following emancipation. THPP facilities are licensed
by state Community Care Licensing and authorized by the California Department of Social
Services to provide this type of care. These programs ordinarily receive primary funding from
the Aid to Families of Dependent Children Foster Care(AFDC-FC)program. The agencies
providing THPP include:

- The Bill Wilson Center THPP currently has 5 youth ages 17-18 years in the program

Placement costs are paid for primarily with state and federal funds at a rate of $3,380.00 per
month per child.

- The Bill Wilson Center also has a special THPP called the "Supportive Living Pilot Model"
designed for 16-18 year old female youth from the Children's Shelter. Currently there are 5

youth in this program. Placement costs are paid for primarily with state and federal funds at a
rate of $3,380.00 per month per child.

[The County share of cost for both Bill Wilson Transitional Housing Placement Programs in
FY 04 was $189, 232, which includes matching AFDC-FC funds ($143,834) and Children's
Placement Funds for AFDC-FC ineligible youth ($45,398) .

- The Unity Care Group is the contract agency for a pilot "Transition Housing Program" for
youth ages 16-18 years (currently serving 6 youth). In FY 04, the pilot was budgeted for
$92,000 and expenditures were $92,000. For FY 05, the pilot is budgeted for $42,856 for the
final 6 months of County funding of the pilot(through December 2004), as the program
transitions to become a state licensed THPP. As a THPP, primary funding for the program

will come from AFDC-FC, which includes a County matching share (approximately 30% for
federally eligible youth and 60% for non-federally eligible youth).

Board of Supervisors; Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jirn Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive; Peter Kutras Jr.
5

Committee Agenda Date :December 8, 2004

Emancipation Conferences.

Emancipation Conferences help youth and people in his or her eircle of support to develop an
emancipation plan. The areas commonly covered in a conference include: education, housing,
employment, finances, health eare planning, acquiring necessary documentation, and
identifying additional support people and necessary resources. In FY 04, 142 Emancipation
Conferences were held. For FY 05, 63 Emancipation Conferences have been held as of
November 24, 2004.
Extended Medi-Cal for Former Foster Care Children IFFCC)

Extended Medi-Cal for Former Foster Care Children(FFCC)is available to all former foster

youth who are eligible for the FFCC benefits. The FFCC program makes it possible for the
youth to remain eligible for Medi-Cal benefits if emancipates occurs on or after the youth's
18th birthday and eligibility can extend to age 21. Currently 183 former foster youth receive
extended Medi-Cal eoverage. As of July 2004, Santa Clara County youth were 4.5%(189

youth) of the 4151 children statewide receiving FFCC Medi-Cal, making utilization by
County youth among the highest in the state. There is no cost to the County for this coverage.
Assistance with Immigration Issues

DFCS provides assistance with immigration issues for foster youth to assure that the youth is
on track to receive immigration documentation prior to emancipation, including the assistance
of Catholic Charities to obtain legal documentation under federal law allowing for Speeial
Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS). Under this law, immigrant children who are in permanent
placement under the Juvenile Dependeney Curt are eligible to obtain lawful immigration
status and a "green card." In November 2003, DFCS held its first eitizenship orientation
workshop attended by approximately 25 youth, their caregivers and soeial workers. This
orientation provided information about eligibility requirements to become an U.S. citizen, and
offered each youth the opportunity to receive individual consultation regarding his or her
specific case.

Support of the Santa Clara Countv Chapter of the California Youth Connection.
DFCS ILP staff provide guidance, assistance and support to the Santa Clara County Chapter
of the California Youth Connection (CYC). The local CYC chapter receives $9,995 annually
from ILP funding administered by the Social Services Agency.

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh,Jim Beall, Liz Kniss
Count/ Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
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Committee Agenda Date :December 8, 2004

The Unclassified Office Specialist II Program

The Unclassified Office Specialist II Program at the Social Services Agency provides clerical
positions for some former foster youth. Former foster youth are employed throughout the
Agency, and receive close supervision and training to ensure successful employment. Over the
past two years, 22 former foster youth applied for County Office Specialist positions. Seven
(7) were offered full-time clerical positions and 6 accepted a position. All 6 of these young
adults remain successfully employed with the Agency.
Certificates and Vouchers for Drivers' Education. Training and DMV Fees

Certificates for drivers' education and training, and vouchers for DMV fees are available to

emancipated foster youth who are participating in the ILP program and either working or
attending school. Being able to driving empowers youth in their capacity to become more
independent. Since the program started in August 2000, more than 50 certificates have been
issued. These certificates were purchased in a prior year from the state ILP allocation.
KEY COMMUNITY PARTNERS

The DFCS ILP works closely with key community partners to ensure that former foster youth
are provided opportunities to be successful in reaching their educational, employment and
housing goals. Key partners include:
Education

Evergreen Valley College(EVC)received $12,170 for FY 05 from the Community College
Foundation to provide life skills training for foster youth. Training topics include: Choices and
Consequences, Computer and Web Site training. Daily Living Skills, Education, Employment,
Interpersonal/Communication Skills and Survival Skills. EVC also teamed with the ILP staff
in providing experiential educational training to increase youth's awareness of the numerous
resources available on community college campuses and many other community locations.

The Silicon Valley Children's Fund's Youth Education Scholarship Program (YES)is a
renewable scholarship fund for former Santa Clara County foster youth. The YES project
offers financial support for tuition, books, housing, food, transportation and other needed
items. Currently there are 34 youth participating in the YES program.

Board of Supervisors: Donald F. Gage, Blanca Alvarado, Pete McHugh, Jirn Beall, Liz Kniss
County Executive: Peter Kutras Jr.
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Committee Agenda Date :December 8, 2004

The Chafee Grant is a federal and state funded program designed to provide financial

assistance for education and training, including post-secondary training, to ILP eligible youth
under the age of 23 who have aged-out of foster care. In California, $4,030,000 was spent as
of August 6, 2004. Statewide, 1,003 students were awarded grants as of August 6, 2004.

(Because the youth applies for this grant through the school in which he or she plans to enroll,
DFCS has no means to track how many Santa Clara County foster youth are currently
receiving a Chafee Grants.)
Employment

The Silicon Valley Workforce Investment Network(SVWIN)operates three One-Stop Career
Centers in San Jose, Campbell and Gilroy, under provisions of the Workforce Investment Act
of 1998. They also provide workforce development services for the several cities in the

County and the unincorporated areas of the County. SVWIN Services are available to adults
age 18 and over, as well as youth between the ages of 14 and 21 years. Services are designed
to help youth successfully transition to adulthood, gain employment and further their
education and training. Funding is derived primarily from the U.S Department of Labor. Other
sources include state and federal grants and private industry.
Mentorin.g

The Child Advocates Transitioning Teen Project [formerly called the Advocates for

Successful Transition to Independence(ASTI) program] assists youth approaching the age of

emancipation to preparing for life on their own. This project, a component of Court Appointed
Special Advocates of Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties, collaborates with the ILP program
in promoting positive mentor—like relationships with foster youth. The project provides
one-on-one support to foster youth in hands-on application of skills learned through ILP,
such as in the areas of life skills, employment and housing.
Housing

Transitional Housing Programs(THP)provide housing and services for young adults in the
community, including former foster youth. Transitional Housing Programs are designed to
address the needs of runaway and homeless young adults. The programs are funded by the
federal Department of Housing and Urban Development and/or Department of Health and
Human Services. The agencies that provide THP include:

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 :December 8, 2004

- The Unity Care Group THP for homeless young adults age 18 to 21 years.
- The Community Solution THP for homeless pregnant or parenting teens age 18 to 21 years.

- The Community Solution THP for homeless pregnant or parenting teens age 16 to 18 years.
- The Bill Wilson Center THP for homeless young adults age 18 to 21 years
- Bill Wilson Center THP for homeless pregnant or parenting teens age 18 to 21 years.

The Emergency Housing Consortium(EHC)also has a shelter "Transitional Living Program’
for youth funded by the federal Department of Health and Human Resources for homeless
youth age 16 to 21 years. EHC's clients are assisted to transition into permanent housing
operated by the EHC.

CONSEQUENCES OF NEGATIVE ACTION

Negative action will result in the Childrens, Seniors, and Families Committee not accepting
the ILP annual report.
STEPS FOLLOWING APPROVAL

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

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

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