Utilizing Child Welfare Resources June 12, 2012

 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

 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

 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)

 $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 Expenses  Transportation Car purchase, insurance, repairs, etc. Bus tokens, etc. Drivers ed  Work-related costs uniforms

 Monetary support to meet the education and training needs of foster care youth.  $600,000 statewide  Must be in post-secondary education or training program  No 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

 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 board  Utilities  Transportation costs  Other  Funds should supplement what is received through Chafee and ETV

 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 stability  Problem solving  Hands on service to youth – weekly at first  Transportation to school - funding for bus tokens, car repair

 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

 The role of foster parents after age 18  Piece-meal funds to access stable housing  Chafee and ETV funds  CSA Stipend  Youth 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.).