Bridges: Supporting Ohio’s Young Adults Emancipating from Foster Care Chynna Kelly, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Geoff Hollenbach, Child and Family Health Collaborative of Ohio

Bridges – What is it? Not an extension of foster care Extension of Title IV-E Benefits Housing and Case Management Services Voluntary State Administered Regional Grantees Separate from Current Post-emancipation Supports

Bridges: Who’s eligible?     Bridges: Who’s eligible? Left the custody of an Ohio PCSA at the age of 18, 19, or 20 years old. Must meet at least one of  the following eligibility criteria

Bridges: Eligibility Criteria and Activities     Bridges: Eligibility Criteria and Activities Secondary education or a program leading to an equivalent credential;  Enrollment in school to receive high school Diploma Enrollment in GED program Is enrolled in an institution that provides post- secondary or vocational education;  Public or Private 4 year college or University Community College Vocational Programs Technical schools

Bridges: Eligibility Criteria and Activities     Bridges: Eligibility Criteria and Activities Is participating in a program or activity designed to promote, or remove barriers to, employment; CCMEP Job Corps Job skills training Is employed for at least eighty hours per month; Regular Employment AmeriCorps Internship/Externship Is incapable of doing any of the above activities due to a medical condition, which incapacity is supported by regularly updated information from a qualified practitioner.

Bridges: 5 Regions & Grantee Grantee: The Child and Family Health Collaborative of Ohio, LLC Region 1:  Northeast Region Region 2:  Southeast Region Region 3:  Central Region Region 4:  Southwest Region Region 5:  Northwest Region

Bridges Referrals  Referrals initiate via: Referral/Interest Forms on Bridgestosuccess.jfs.ohio.gov Get Started -- How to Apply  -- Referral or Interest Page Completed form feeds Centralized Intake System and email notification sent out to Regional Coordinator   Referrals can originate from: PCSAs (90 days prior to emancipation) Direct agency contacts (in consultation with PCSA worker) Other adult supporters Young adult’s themselves  Hotline Number: 1-866-503-1895  Referrals can also be initiated directly with Regional Coordinator by phone or email who    will in turn complete the proper form

Benefits of Bridges Benefits to Young Adults:     Benefits of Bridges Benefits to Young Adults: More time to prepare for adulthood Better outcomes for young adults aging-out Long-term/stable housing support Financial assistance Help in crisis or emergency situations Access to positive adult supports Education about community resources

Bridges Services Monthly Visits Positive Young Adult Development     Bridges Services Monthly Visits Positive Young Adult Development Young Adult Driven Plan Critical Thinking Home Management and Life Skills Education  Community Resources Employment & Career Preparation Financial Management Self-Advocacy Health and Self-Care Permanent Connections Eligibility Clarification

Bridges Overview since Go-Live 2/1/2018     Bridges Overview since Go-Live 2/1/2018 ODJFS/Child and Family Health Collaborative Partnership Provider agency support, training and technical assistance Quarterly regional meetings Enlisting Ashley Watson to provide legal services United Healthcare Role

Bridges Overview since Go-Live 2/1/2018     Bridges Overview since Go-Live 2/1/2018 Referral Numbers = ~850 Enrollment numbers to date = 369 Disenrollments to date = 30 Reenrollments = 5 Difference between referrals and enrollments

Roles of CASA in Bridges     Roles of CASA in Bridges Help to identify young people who might be eligible for Bridges and refer or encourage them to apply Assist and support young people to work with Bridges in obtaining all eligibility documentation Assist them or the emancipation team in determining needs and resources through the transition plan

Juvenile Court Involvement     Juvenile Court Involvement Best Interest Hearing Within 180 days a hearing will be held to find that Bridges is in the best interest of the young adult (YA). This hearing also extends the VPA. Reasonable Efforts Hearing Within 12 months a hearing will be held to find that there was reasonable efforts made to finalize the Bridges plan for the YA. (There is a subsequent reasonable efforts hearing held annually)

Contacts Website: BridgestoSuccess.jfs.ohio.gov Email Box: Bridges@jfs.ohio.gov Geoff Hollenbach Geoff.Hollenbach@cfhcohio.org (513)265-9508 (Office) Sarah Levels Chynna.Kelly@jfs.ohio.gov (614)752-3288 (Office)