CHILD WELFARE AND HOUSING

ACCESS SUMMITUtilizing Child Welfare Resources

June 12, 2012

HOUSING CHALLENGES IN AGING OUT OF FOSTER CARE School vs. working or school AND working Transportation Education - what it takes to live on your own

Budgeting More than an apartment – set-up and living expenses Leases

What can I afford Do I need a roommate Security deposit

Who will rent to me Do I need a co-signer What about my foster parent Is there someone I can count on for help Is it safe

SERVICES FOR OLDER YOUTH

Project LIFE - enhancing the successful transition of older foster youth to adulthood by increasing the capacity of professionals working with youth and promoting permanent connections and effective preparation for transition to adulthood

Chafee Independent Living Program Funds - flexible funding available for older adolescents in an independent living skills, aftercare, or transitional living program

Education and Training Voucher Program Funds - offers financial assistance to eligible current and former foster youth to attend an accredited college, university, vocational or technical college.

Local Department’s of Social Services – provide hands on advocacy and service connections

Foster parents – permanent connections for life

PROJECT LIFE Youth leadership opportunities Independent living skills workshops and

events Independent Living Skill Assessment Virginia Youth Advisory Council –

opportunities for learning and networking

Regional learning events Training and technical assistance for

local department staff and staff of private child placing agencies – (Chafee and ETV)

CHAFEE INDEPENDENT LIVING FUNDS

$1.7 million state-wide 30% maximum for use with housing

Room and board (how state defines it) Can use funds for security deposit, rent,

emergency housing (e.g., hotel room), utilities

Non-housing-related ExpensesTransportation

Car purchase, insurance, repairs, etc. Bus tokens, etc. Drivers ed

Work-related costs uniforms

CHAFEE EDUCATION AND TRAINING VOUCHERS

Monetary support to meet the education and training needs of foster care youth.

$600,000 statewideMust be in post-secondary education or

training programNo more than $5,000/youth/year

Limited use for Housing Room and board for dorm room or help with

summer living arrangements Increase available funds for R & B by using

PEL grant or other funds for tuition and fees

CSA INDEPENDENT LIVING STIPEND

No annual limit on funds (statewide) $644 / youth / month limit FAPT/CPMT approval needed Flexible funding (based on CPMT policies

and youth’s needs)Room and boardUtilitiesTransportation costsOther

Funds should supplement what is received through Chafee and ETV

GREAT EXPECTATIONS Not a social services program Intended to help with post-secondary

academic training for youth Provides mentors to help youth access

services. Focus is:Educational stabilityProblem solvingHands on service to youth – weekly at firstTransportation to school - funding for bus

tokens, car repair

LOCAL DEPARTMENT’S OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Have allocation of Chafee funds to spend Case management responsibility for older

youth - Responsible for youth-driven transitional independent living plan Assessment, IL skill development

opportunities, one-to-one counseling, regular contact

Build strong collaborations in community Landlords including foster parents CSA Employment opportunities Great Expectations and other school contacts

FOSTER PARENTS The role of foster parents after age 18 Piece-meal funds to access stable

housingChafee and ETV fundsCSA StipendYouth responsibility (e.g., working and

school; use of pay from work to help off-set expenses)

Foster parent responsibility (e.g., transportation for youth, room and board, etc.).