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Last Updated: October 6, 2009

California

State Coordinator(s)

California Department of Social Services
Theresa Thurmond, California State Coordinator
Independent Living Program
744 P Street, MS 14-78
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-9974
Fax: (916) 657-4357
Email: theresa.thurmond@dss.ca.gov

2009 Chafee Allocation

$20,375,619

2009 ETV Allocation

$6,851,700

Number of youth 16-21 (most current AFCARS data -2006)

15204

State's Chafee Mission Statement

The mission of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) is to ensure that needy and vulnerable children and adults are served, aided, and protected in ways that strengthen and preserve families, encourage personal responsibility, and foster independence.

Who is Eligible for Chafee Services?

Youth who are eligible for ILP are between 16 years of age up to the day before their 21st birthday, and either are currently in foster care or were in foster care on or after their 16th birthday.

What is the State's Definition of Room and Board?

• Food purchases; or payment of rental deposits and/or utility deposits; or payment of rent and/or utility bills, or emergency assistance (a county's interpretation) for eligible emancipated youth, i.e., those youth who are at least 18 years of age, but have not yet attained 21 years of age.
• A county may spend less than, but cannot exceed, 30 percent of the total of their ILP allocation for the room and board needs as defined above.

Maximum Age that Youth may Remain in Care

18

No additional information is available.

Under what Conditions Can a Youth Remain in Care Beyond 18?

If the youth is going to graduate HS before 19th birthday.

Is the Extended Medicaid Option Available for Youth Until 21?

Yes

The CDSS has expanded Medicaid to provide services to youth that have aged out of foster care and are at least 18 years of age and have not yet attained their 21st birthday. This program allows foster youth that are receiving foster care funds on their 18th birthday to remain eligible for Medi-Cal with no share of cost or monthly income evaluations. Re-determination will be left to each county per State of California, Department of Health Services (DHS) specifications.

Can Youth in Care Get Driver’s Licenses?

Yes

No additional information is available.

Does the State Offer Tuition Waivers for Foster Youth?

No

No additional information is available. 

Does the State Have a Youth Leadership Program?

Yes

California Youth Connection (CYC) is guided, focused and driven by current and former foster youth with the assistance of other committed community members. CYC promotes the participation of foster youth in policy development and legislative change to improve the foster care system, and strives to improve social work practice and child welfare policy. CYC Chapters in counties throughout the state identify local issues and use grassroots and community organizing to create change. For a description and more information, please visit the following website: http://www.calyouthconn.org/site/cyc/