Transition Planning for California Foster Youth FAQ
Fact Sheet: Overview of SB 187: Updates to Foster Youth Rights Regarding Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
The Foster Care Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Assistance Program (created by AB 1633 (2005) and AB 1331 (2007)), and codified at Welf. & Inst. Code Section 13750, et seq., represents the California Legislature’s attempts to maximize utilization of Social Security Administration benefits among foster youth, including probation-supervised foster youth, as they approach adulthood. […]
Template Letters for SSI/OASDI Advocacy for California Foster Youth
This resource contains template letters to request information and actions related to foster youth clients, including probation-supervised foster youth, who may be receiving Social Security Administration benefits or for whom you want an eligibility screening and/or benefits application to be made. These templates are for use by attorneys in California, including dependency counsel, juvenile defenders, and […]
Fact Sheet: Transition Jurisdiction
This fact sheet, updated in 2023, outlines California law related to transition jurisdiction in juvenile court.
Housing & Homelessness Prevention for Transition Aged Foster and Former Foster Youth: A Presentation of the Youth Law Center
Homelessness both during extended foster care and after leaving extended foster care are critical issues facing transition-aged youth (TAY). This presentation provides an overview of extended foster care in California, transitional housing options for current and former foster youth, housing preservation strategies, the FYI & FUP Housing Choice Voucher Programs, and supportive services to maintain […]
Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits from THP-NMD: A Presentation of the Youth Law Center
Homelessness and housing/placement instability are a critical issue facing transition-aged youth in California. Despite broad protections and housing/placement entitlements for youth in extended foster care, many youth are involuntarily exited from transitional housing before reaching the maximum age or duration of participation. This training provides a foundational understanding of the Transitional Housing Placement Program for […]
Housing Preservation Strategies: A Supplement to Youth Law Center’s Presentation: Housing & Homelessness Prevention for Transition Aged Foster and Former Foster Youth (Slide 14)
Homelessness both during extended foster care and after leaving extended foster care are critical issues facing transition-aged youth (TAY), and despite broad protections and housing/placement entitlements for youth, many youth are involuntarily exited from transitional housing before reaching the maximum age or duration for participation in these programs. This supplement to the Youth Law Center Presentation: […]
Glossary of Terms: A Supplement to Youth Law Center’s Presentation: Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits from THP-NMD
This supplement to the Youth Law Center Presentation: Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits from THP-NMD provides a glossary of key terms used in the presentation, including legal citations and sources of law.
Hypotheticals: A Supplement to Youth Law Center’s Presentation: Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits from THP-NMD
This supplement to the Youth Law Center Presentation: Advocacy Strategies for Preventing Involuntary Exits from THP-NMD provides advocacy considerations and answers to the hypotheticals and questions presented in Slides 45-51.
Unusual Circumstances Override
This resource provides guidance on how to assist youth who cannot obtain parental information to complete the FAFSA. Federal law allows youth to qualify for financial aid without providing parental information if they qualify as an independent student or if they qualify for a dependency override due to “unusual circumstances.” This guide explains what unusual circumstances are and […]
Requesting Unspent Chafee and ETV Funds for FY 2023
This document provides information on how state child welfare agencies can request unspent Chafee funds. This opportunity is available every year, however, this year’s unspent funds include the Division X funds which were allocated in 2021 as pandemic aid for youth in foster care. Because $400 million additional Chafee funds were allocated in 2021 as part of Division X of the […]
Information and Resources to Support Reproductive Health Access for Young People with Experience in Foster Care
This fact sheet provides resources to help advocates support young people in foster care navigate reproductive health care and abortion access in their state and includes information for individual and systemic advocacy.
ALERT: Examples of How AB 153 Funding and Medicaid Can be Used to Support Family Based Settings
This publication provides an update on funding that the state has made available to county child welfare agencies and probation departments to support family based care for young people with complex needs. This Alert summarizes additional guidance provided by CDSS on how funds for Child-Specific Requests for Exceptional Needs and Capacity Building Requests can be […]
SUPPORT Act Implementation Resource
This resource alert provides an update related to older foster youth access to Medicaid. The Affordable Care Act provided Medicaid eligibility for former foster youth until age 26 if they were in foster care at age 18 or older and were enrolled in Medicaid at that time. When it was enacted, the law did not […]
Youth Law Center Housing Resources (2020-present)
Homelessness and housing/placement instability for current foster youth, youth in extended foster care and former foster youth, are critical issues facing transition-aged youth (TAY) (ages 16-25) in California. Despite broad protections and housing/placement entitlements for youth, many youth are involuntarily exited from transitional housing before reaching the maximum age or duration of participation This resource […]
Golden State Social Opportunities Program
Supporting Higher Education Success for Youth with Experience in Foster Care and Homelessness-Briefing Summary
Foster Care Benefits: AFDC-FC Program Change Alert
Foster Care Benefits: AFDC-FC Program Change Alert
Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Fact Sheet
Kinship Guardianship Assistance Program Fact Sheet
Info Sheet for Pregnant & Parenting Foster Youth in CA
Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Foster Youth in California
Rights of Pregnant and Parenting Foster Youth in California – A Fact Sheet Prepared by the Youth Law Center
FYI/FUP Template Letters
Assisting young adults in securing affordable housing continues to be a challenging task. The tools included with this packet can be used as one strategy among many to help your clients access affordable housing. Please note that these strategies aim to increase your county’s use of FUP and FYI vouchers and likely will not result […]
Information gathering letter on existing FYI program
Referral letter for FUP from Civil Legal Aid attorney
CA Wraparound Programs for Children and Youth in Foster Care
FYI Referral Letter CA Attorneys
THP-NMD: An Advocacy Guide to Preventing Involuntary Exits
Transition Planning Check List for Young People Aging Out on December 31st
Six Ways to Ensure Transition Aged Youth Leverage Federal Support During and Post-Pandemic
A few things you can do to help transition aged youth with experience in the foster care system benefit from the vital aid that was intended for them, but that many are not receiving.
Foster Care Overview Fact Sheet
Foster Care Overview Fact Sheet
YLC FFPSA Implementation Q1 Comments
YLC Comments on FFPSA Trailer Bill
Seven Strategies Counties Can Implement to Ensure Housing Stability and Maximize Participation in THP-Plus During COVID-19
Did you know that the California state budget recently made changes to the eligibility requirements for THP-Plus? THP-Plus is a transitional housing program for young adults who have exited foster care, but it is time-limited. Recognizing that the normal time limitations were putting former foster youth at risk of homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis, the […]
Child Welfare Advocates COVID-19 Response Letter
The Youth Law Center joins a coalition of child welfare advocates in requesting Governor Newsom and the California State Legislature take immediate actions to protect the health and well-being of California’s children and youth in foster care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Fellow advocates include: John Burton Advocates for Youth, California Alliance of Caregivers, Alliance for […]
Providing Normalcy for California Foster Youth
Providing Normalcy for California Foster Youth
AB 2813 Fact Sheet – Equitable Standards for Foster Youth
This fact sheet describing AB 2813, a bill that would protect children and youth in foster care from being needlessly detained in juvenile halls solely due to their foster care status.
AB 2813 – Letter to Gov. Brown – request for signature
Letter to Governor Brown requesting signature on AB 2813, a bill to protect children and youth in foster care from being needlessly detailed in juvenile hall solely due to their foster care status.
Letter from Jennifer Rodriguez to Commissioner Sanders
Letter from Jennifer Rodriguez to Commissioner Sanders appearing as an appendix to final report of CECAMF
Fact Sheet: Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Key Findings and Recommendations of the report: Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Final report by the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities.
Within Our Reach: A National Strategy to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Final report by the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities.
CECANF Works Toward Development of a National Strategy
Article on the work of the Commission to Eliminate Child Abuse and Neglect Fatalities
Presidential Proclamation — National Foster Care Month, 2015
Proclamation by President Obama naming May 2015 National Foster Care Month
Educational Rights as a Pregnant or Parenting Teen
Fact sheet on educational rights of pregnant or parenting teens.
I want to be there when he graduates: Foster parents show higher levels of commitment than group care providers
YLC co-authored this study which showed greater commitment of foster parents to children than group home providers. Study published in Children and Youth Services Review 51, 2015 95-100.
Legal Rights of Teens in Out of Home Care (2014)
This booklet, based on California law, covers some of the concerns of a youth in out-of-home care, including types of placements, guardianship, independent living, role of the courts, visitation, confidentiality, pregnancy, money, religion, driving, emancipation and rights and responsibilities of youth in out-of-home care, group or foster homes
Letter from YLC sponsoring AB 388
Letter to Assembly Member Wesley Chesbro co-sponsoring SB 388
AB 388 Chaptered Text
Text of AB 388, bill requiring oversight on the use of law enforcement in group homes, limiting the unnecessary secure detention of foster youth and providing the same protections for foster youth that non-foster youth living at home with parents routinely receive when the come into contact with the delinquency system.
Youth Participation in Court Hearings
In recent years, courts and child welfare systems around the country have recognized the importance of permanency for all foster children, including older youth, and of youth participation in decisions that affect their lives. Juvenile court officials and experts have consistently recommended that youth be present in court for permanency planning and other hearings; actively […]
Senator Debbie Stabenow’s Amendment re TFC
The Youth Law Center joined with over 35 national child welfare and mental organizations to thank Senator Debbie Stabenow for introducing an amendment to ensure that Medicaid coverage includes Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC.) TFC provides medically necessary, cost effective services to at least 50,000 children with severe mental and behavioral health needs in a community-based […]
Thank You Letter to Senator Debbie Stabenow Re Medicaid Coverage Amendment
The Youth Law Center joined with over 35 national child welfare and mental organizations to thank Senator Debbie Stabenow for introducing an amendment to ensure that Medicaid coverage includes Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC.) TFC provides medically necessary, cost effective services to at least 50,000 children with severe mental and behavioral health needs in a community-based […]
Probation Provisions in California’s Fostering Connections to Success Act – Powerpoint Presentation
On August 30, 2011, Jennifer Rodriguez and Maria Ramiu presented a webinar on “Probation Provisions in California’s Fostering Connections to Success Act.” Probation staff from more than twenty counties attended the webinar and most were interested in future webinars after AB 12 and AB 212 are enacted. This is the powerpoint that was presented at […]
QPI Process Chart
This chart describes what will be covered at each QPI meeting, who is to attend and what are the resources at each.
All County Letter re Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Pilot
The purpose of this All County Information Notice (ACIN) is to provide information regarding the opportunity to participate as a pilot site for a Caregiver Recruitment and Retention Pilot project and information on an upcoming meeting for interested counties. The pilot is a collaborative effort between the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Youth Law […]
Fostering Families Today Article on QPI
This article, written by Carole Shauffer, describes what QPI is.
Wheeler v. Sanders Joint Stipulation for Dismissal
Filed in December 2003, Wheeler v. Sanders alleged that Los Angeles County violated state and federal requirements designed to ensure children are safe because the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services failed to approve relative foster homes according to legal standards and to assist relatives in meeting basic health and safety requirements. Over […]
Wheeler v. Sanders Petition for Writ and Complaint
Filed in December 2003, Wheeler v. Sanders alleged that Los Angeles County violated state and federal requirements designed to ensure children are safe because the Los Angeles Department of Children and Family Services failed to approve relative foster homes according to legal standards and to assist relatives in meeting basic health and safety requirements. Over […]
Warren v. Saenz Peremptory Writ of Mandate
Warren v. Saenz was a taxpayer action alleging that the California Department of Social Services has deliberately ignored the fact that nine counties — including Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Orange — operate shelter facilities in violation of state licensing laws. Charging that thousands of California’s abused and neglected children each year are […]
Warren v. Saenz Petition for Writ and Complaint
Warren v. Saenz was a taxpayer action alleging that the California Department of Social Services has deliberately ignored the fact that nine counties — including Los Angeles, San Diego, Santa Clara, and Orange — operate shelter facilities in violation of state licensing laws. Charging that thousands of California’s abused and neglected children each year are […]
Ward v. Kearney Settlement Agreement
Ward v. Kearney was a federal class action lawsuit that alleged that Broward County’s foster homes, shelters, and other residential facilities were crowded and children were not screened to determine if they present a risk to other children. It also challenged the caseload size and turnover of foster care workers. Broward County’s foster care workers […]
Ward v. Kearney Complaint
Ward v. Kearney was a federal class action lawsuit that alleged that Broward County’s foster homes, shelters, and other residential facilities were crowded and children were not screened to determine if they present a risk to other children. It also challenged the caseload size and turnover of foster care workers. Broward County’s foster care workers […]
Timothy J. v. Chaffee Settlement Agreement
Timothy J. v. Chaffee challenged the failure of the Los Angeles County Department of Children’s Services to monitor children in foster care by having face-to-face contact with each child at least once a month as required by state policy and the failure of Los Angeles County to file a plan for child welfare services as […]
Timothy J. v. Chaffee First Amended Complaint
Timothy J. v. Chaffee challenged the failure of the Los Angeles County Department of Children’s Services to monitor children in foster care by having face-to-face contact with each child at least once a month as required by state policy and the failure of Los Angeles County to file a plan for child welfare services as […]
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services Writ of Mandamus
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services, filed in state court in April 2005, was a class action lawsuit that charged the Department of Children and Family Services (‘DCF’) and a private contract foster care agency, Big Bend Community Based Care, Inc., with failing to find appropriate and licensed foster placements for […]
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services Settlement wtih Big Bend
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services, filed in state court in April 2005, was a class action lawsuit that charged the Department of Children and Family Services (‘DCF’) and a private contract foster care agency, Big Bend Community Based Care, Inc., with failing to find appropriate and licensed foster placements for […]
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services Complaint
Susan C. v. Florida Department of Children and Family Services, filed in state court in April 2005, was a class action lawsuit that charged the Department of Children and Family Services (‘DCF’) and a private contract foster care agency, Big Bend Community Based Care, Inc., with failing to find appropriate and licensed foster placements for […]
Rene M. v. Anderson Amended Petition
Rene M. v. Anderson was filed as a writ of mandate to require that the State monitor all California counties to ensure that children in foster care are visited regularly by caseworkers and that they receive necessary medical care. Although the state has known for more than ten years that counties are failing to protect […]
Rene M. v. Anderson Stipulated Settlement
Rene M. v. Anderson was filed as a writ of mandate to require that the State monitor all California counties to ensure that children in foster care are visited regularly by caseworkers and that they receive necessary medical care. Although the state has known for more than ten years that counties are failing to protect […]
Donaldson v. Archuleta Settlement Agreement and Full Release
This lawsuit challenged Alameda County’s failure to comply with the minimum child welfare health and safety standards of care imposed by state law. Alameda County failed every child welfare services audit conducted by the State Department of Social Services during the fifteen years prior to the filing of the lawsuit in January, 2001. The lawsuit […]
Donaldson v. Archuleta Petition and Complaint
This lawsuit challenged Alameda County’s failure to comply with the minimum child welfare health and safety standards of care imposed by state law. Alameda County failed every child welfare services audit conducted by the State Department of Social Services during the fifteen years prior to the filing of the lawsuit in January, 2001. The lawsuit […]
Booraem v. Orange County Settlement Agreement
Booraem v. Orange County, filed in August 1998, challenged the detention of abused and neglected infants and young children for extended periods of time under illegal and unconstitutional conditions in Orangewood Children’s Home, an unlicensed institution owned and operated by Orange County. The lawsuit targeted Orangewood’s failure to meet the mandated standards of care for […]
Booraem v. Orange County Complaint and Petition for Writ of Mandate
Booraem v. Orange County, filed in August 1998, challenged the detention of abused and neglected infants and young children for extended periods of time under illegal and unconstitutional conditions in Orangewood Children’s Home, an unlicensed institution owned and operated by Orange County. The lawsuit targeted Orangewood’s failure to meet the mandated standards of care for […]
Bohler v. Anderson Order Granting Writ of Mandate
Bohler v. Anderson was filed in June 1997 over the failure of the Department of Social Services to develop a system for deciding where to place abused and neglected children. The state spends between $1100 and $5000 per month per child on group home care, depending upon the intensity of care needed for troubled children. […]
Bohler v. Anderson Petition for Writ of Mandate
Bohler v. Anderson was filed in June 1997 over the failure of the Department of Social Services to develop a system for deciding where to place abused and neglected children. The state spends between $1100 and $5000 per month per child on group home care, depending upon the intensity of care needed for troubled children. […]
Key Facts: An Overview of Fostering Connections Discussion Draft – California Working Families Policy Summit
The Youth Law Center was co-sponsor of the 2009 California Working Families Policy Summit, held January 13 at the Sacramento Convention Center. Organized by The California Center for Research on Women and Families, the Summit brought together over 700 policymakers and advocates to address high priority policy issues for California families. This year’s Summit Workshops […]
Recommendations on Children in Foster Care – California Working Families Policy Summit
The Youth Law Center was co-sponsor of the 2009 California Working Families Policy Summit, held January 13 at the Sacramento Convention Center. Organized by The California Center for Research on Women and Families, the Summit brought together over 700 policymakers and advocates to address high priority policy issues for California families. This year’s Summit Workshops […]
Sam M. v. Carcieri Amicus
The Youth Law Center joined fourteen other children’s advocacy organizations in an amicus brief filed with the First Circuit Court of Appeals in the case of Sam M. v. Carcieri. The amicus brief was filed by Suffolk University Professor Erik Pitchal on behalf of the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC) and the other […]
Overpayments – YLC Fact Sheet
This fact sheet describes what overpayments are and what the rules are if the overpayments occur in the following programs: Aid to Families with Dependent Children (AFDC-FC) (Foster Care), Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP) and Adoption Assistance Program (AAP).
AB 12 Fact Sheet
AB 12, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, is co-sponsored by the Youth Law Center. AB 12 will extend foster care benefits to youth after the age of 18 and allow California to participate in the federal Kinship Guardianship Assistance program.
Understanding the Educational Needs of English Learner & Migrant Foster Youth – Powerpoint Presentation
This powerpoint covers issues related to the eligibility of foster youth for programs designed to meet the needs of English Learner and Migrant students. This powerpoint was presented at the “California Foster Youth Education Summit” held on May 5, 2009, in Sacramento.
The Quality Parenting Initiative – Fostering in the 21st Century
The May/June 2012 issue of Fostering Families Today features an article on Youth Law Center’s Quality Parenting Initiative, written by Carole Shauffer.
Update: “Fostering Connections to Success: Extending a Social Safety Net for Youths Facing Homelessness and Poverty”
The Clearinghouse Review has published an update on The Fostering Connections Act written by YLC staff attorneys Jennifer Rodriguez and Alice Bussiere with Jennifer Pokempner, a supervising attorney at the Juvenile Law Center. The News and Notes item, available at 44 Clearinghouse Review 582-584 (March-April 2011), discusses policy guidance on the extension of foster care […]
Fostering Connections to Success: Extending a Social Safety Net for Youths Facing Homelessness and Poverty
YLC staff attorneys Jennifer Rodriguez and Alice Bussiere co-authored an article with Juvenile Law Center Attorney Jennifer Pokempner, entitled “Fostering Connections to Success: Extending a Social Safety Net for Youths Facing Homelessness and Poverty.” The article discusses provisions of a new federal law that affect older youth in foster care. The article appears in the […]
Fresno County Standing Order Auhorizing Sharing of Information With School Personnel
This Standing Order addresses the exchange of information between the Fresno County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) and personnel at any school or school district.
Emancipating from Foster Care in the Bay Area: What Types of Programs Are Available for Youth Aging Out of the Foster Care System?
This BASSC Monograph examines the current needs of youth aging out of the foster care system and programs developed to assist youth with their transition to adulthood and independent living. It is based upon a review of the most up to date national and state empirical research to identify what the challenges youth aging out […]
Adolescents, the Foster Care System, and the Transition to Adulthood: What Legal Aid Lawyers Need to Know
Older adolescents leaving foster care still face tremendous obstacles as they make the transition to adulthood. However, the increasing focus on improving foster care and permanency planning for adolescents, providing them with independent living skills, and giving them the support that they need as they make the transition out of care is cause for optimism. […]
Making Reasonable Efforts: A Permanent Home for Every Child
An update of our earlier publication, Making Reasonable Efforts: Steps for Keeping Families Together, this handbook explains what reasonable efforts are as we move out of the 1990’s. It describes both the old and new reasonable efforts requirements in detail and outlines specific actions that should be taken by attorneys, judges, and child welfare agencies […]
Model Questions for Defining Reasonable Efforts
A booklet in question and answer format that serves as a guide for judges in evaluating “”whether child welfare agencies have made ‘reasonable efforts’ to preserve or unify families in abuse/neglect cases.”” The booklet may also be helpful to other participants in the juvenile court process: case workers, mental health workers, attorneys, etc.
Sam and Tony M. v. Carcieri Opinion
The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit (which included Justice Souter sitting by courtesy) ruled in favor of the foster youth in Sam and Tony M. v. Carcieri, a class action suit against Rhode Island, seeking to reform the state’s foster care system. The Court of Appeals reversed the district court’s holding […]