1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. 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

7. 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 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:
 Referrals can also be initiated directly with Regional Coordinator by phone or who    will in turn complete the proper form

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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)

14. Contacts Website: BridgestoSuccess.jfs.ohio.gov
Box:
Geoff Hollenbach (513) (Office)
Sarah Levels (614) (Office)