Transitional Housing Programs for Current and Former Foster Youth
Transitional Housing Placement Program for Minor Foster Children (THPP-M)
The THPP-M is a type of foster care placement for minors between the ages of 16 and 18 years old. The goal of THPP-M is to help participants emancipate successfully by providing a safe environment for youth, while learning skills that can promote self-sufficiency. Participants may live alone, with departmental approval, or with roommates in apartments or single-family dwellings, where a staff member from the housing provider lives on-site to provide supervision and assistance. Supportive services include, educational guidance, employment counseling, and assistance reaching emancipation goals outlined in a participant’s Transitional Independent Living Plan, the emancipation readiness portion of a youth’s case plan. The youth are encouraged to participate in the Independent Living Program.
THPP-M does not meet the Federal Title IV-E and state foster care definition for federal reimbursement under the Family First Prevention Services Act any longer. If a county chooses to place a minor in this type of placement setting, the county is required to use only county funds to cover the rate/cost. Rates are no longer based on the funding formula in Welfare and Institutions Code 1403(a)(1)(A). The rate is set by each county.
Transitional Housing Placement Program for Non-Minor Dependent (THPP NMD)
Transitional Housing Placement for Non-Minor Dependent, formerly known as THP+FC, was created by Assembly Bill (AB) 12. It provides housing placement options for non-minor dependents in Extended Foster Care. This placement option provides transitional housing and supportive services based on a Transitional Independent Living Plan. AB 12 was authorized by the Federal Public Law 110-351, the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. For more information on eligibility and provider requirements please refer to All County Letter 12-44.
The goal of this type of placement is to offer supportive services to assist non-minor dependents in developing skills needed to transition to independent living, which may include assistance with meeting educational goals, obtaining employment, and learning financial management, relationship, and daily living skills.
HOUSING MODELS UNDER THPP NMD
THPP-NMD providers can offer the following housing models:
- Host family, where the non-minor dependent lives with a caring adult who has been approved by the transitional housing placement provider
- Staffed site, where the non-minor dependent lives in an apartment, condominium, or single-family dwelling, rented or leased by the THPP-NMD provider, in which one or more adult employees of the THHPP-NMD provider resides on site
- Remote site, where the non-minor dependent lives in a single housing unit rented or leased by the housing provider. The non-minor dependent can be a co-lessee on the lease. The non-minor dependent lives independently, but still receives regular supervision from the provider.
STEPS TO CERTIFICATION
Those interested in becoming a provider must contact the county in which they wish to operate to obtain certification. THPP-NMD is certified by the county and those interested in becoming a provider, must get licensed by their regional Community Care Licensing Division. After receiving licensure, the provider may contract with a county(s) to provide the program to eligible non-minor dependents.
To find your local Transitional Housing Coordinator, please contact the Transition Age Youth (TAY) Policy Unit at TAYPolicy@dss.ca.gov.
Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus)
THP-Plus is a transitional housing program for young adults who exited foster care (including those supervised by the Juvenile Probation) on or after their 18th birthday. This program offers housing and supportive services for 36 cumulative months or until the age of 25, whichever comes first. The housing models and services offered are similar to those offered in THPP, but the rules of the program will be age appropriate for young adults.
The goal of THP-plus is to provide a safe living environment, while helping participants develop the life skills needed to live independently. The program’s goals are achieved by creating a Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) with the participant. The TILP is developed by the young adult and other supportive persons and assists in identifying and detailing the goals and objectives necessary to transition into adulthood.
HOUSING MODELS UNDER THP-PLUS
THPP-Plus providers can offer the following acceptable residential units:
- Apartments
- Single family dwellings
- Condominiums
- College dormitories
- Host family models
Important Note: Publicly supervised or privately-operated shelters, or other living situations, including those with friends, family members, and others that provide temporary accommodations are NOT acceptable.
STEPS TO CERTIFICATION
The THP-Plus provider is exempt from licensure, provided that a local fire clearance certification from the applicable county has been obtained. Please refer to California Health and Safety Code, section 1505(l)(4). General information related to certification standards can be found in California Department of Social Services Manual of Policies and Procedures, section 30-920.
To become a provider, please contact the county in which you wish to operate to obtain certification.
To find your local Transitional Housing Coordinator, please contact the Transition Age Youth (TAY) Policy Unit at TAYPolicy@dss.ca.gov.
CDSS Notifications Pertaining to Transitional Housing
All County Letters
- ACL 19-105 Placement Responsibilities for Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs) in Extended Foster Care
Provides guidance and clarification on the counties’ responsibility to offer safe and appropriate placements that meet the needs of each nonminor dependent in Extended Foster Care
- ACL 18-135 Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC) Payments for 16 to 18-Year-Old Dependents Placed in a Dormitory or Other Designated Post-Secondary Educational Institutional Housing
Provides guidance and instructions on the new non-federal placement option available for minors, which would allow dependent minors to reside in a dormitory or other post-secondary educational housing institution and receive their payment directly if they are at least 16 years old and pursuing a post-secondary education
- ACL 17-93 Use of Infant Supplement Payment for Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care (THP+FC) Programs
Provides instruction on how the infant supplement payment can be utilized to meet the needs of parenting youth in the THP-PLUS-FC program
- ACL 17-83: Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP)- Residing with a Parent
Explains that non-minor dependents assessed as being ready for a SILP may now reside in a SILP in the same home as a parent or guardians, including the parent or guardian from whom the youth was initially removed, and receive foster care payments
- ACL 17-64: Changes in Placement Practices for Children, Youth, and Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs) in Foster Care
Provides information on placement practice changes resulting from Senate Bill 731, which requires children and non-minor dependents in out-of-home care to be placed according to their gender identity, regardless of the gender or sex listed in their court or child welfare records
- ACL 16-50: Additional Payment for a Non-Minor Dependent (NMD) Parent in a Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) Questions and Answers
Provides information on frequently asked questions regarding the placement payment increase to non-minor dependent parents residing in a SILP, as outlined in Assembly Bill 2668
- ACL 15-67: Additional Payment for Non-Minor Dependent (NMD) Parent in a Supervisee Independent Living placement (SILP)
Provides information on the availability of an additional $200 in addition to the infant supplement paid to non-minor dependent parents residing in a SILP upon completion of certain requirements
- ACL 14-33: Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs) Placed out of State
Provides instructions on the policies and procedures of placing non-minor dependents in Extended Foster Care out of state
- ACL 13-109: Transitioning Youth from Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP) to the Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care (THP+FC) Program
Provides additional information to licensed transitional housing placement providers caring for eligible non-minor dependents that are in a THPP for minors, while the provider expands to a THP+FC program, as originally set forth by ACL 12-44
- ACL 12-44: Transitional Housing Placement Plus Foster Care and Changes to Transitional Housing Placement Program and Transitional Housing Program Plus
Provides information on THP-PLUS-FC and changes to the requirements of the THPP and THP-Plus programs
- ACL 11-77: Extension of Foster Care Beyond Age 18: Part Two (Placement)
Explains the placement options available in extended foster care, including information on the Transitional Housing Program-Plus Foster Care program
- ACL11 -69: Extension of Foster Care Beyond 18: Part One
Provide counties with instructions on the policies and procedures for the Extended Foster Care Program created by Assembly Bill 12. It discusses non-minor dependent placement considerations in any licensed or approved facility that are available, including the new placement options THP-Plus-FC and SILP.
- ACL 11-53 Letter of Intent (LOI) and County Plan to Request Participation in the Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP), the Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-PLUS), and/or the Transitional Housing Program-Plus Foster Care (THP-PLUS-FC)
Provides updated instructions on Letter of Intent and County Plan requirements for THPP, THP-Plus, and THP-PLUS-FC
All County Information Notice