Online Webinar – September 2, 2009 at 10:00 am Presented by the John Burton Foundation

1. Just the Facts: Using Data to Better Meet the Needs of Former Foster Youth in California’s THP-Plus Program Online Webinar – September 2, 2009 at 10:00 am Presented by the John Burton Foundation Call-in phone number for live audio: 312-878-0218 Access code: 544-732-198

2. Webinar Technical Details • Call-in phone number for live audio: 312-878-0218; Access code: 544-732-198 • To submit live questions, click on the “Question and Answer” arrow on your screen, type your question, and click “Send.”

3. Outline of Presentation • Brief background on THP-Plus • Methodology • Demographics • Employment & Education • Housing • Criminal Justice and Assets • Parenting & Older Youth • Programmatic and Policy Implications

4. Today’s Presenters • Amy Lemley, John Burton Foundation • Sara Kimberlin, John Burton Foundation • Michele Byrnes, John Burton Foundation • Theresa Thurmond, CDSS • Lynette Stueve, CDSS

5. THP-Plus at a Glance • Established by CA Legislature in 2001; first implemented in 2003 • Provides affordable housing and supportive services for a 24 month period to youth, age 18 to 24, who “age out” of foster care • Program is active in 46 of California’s 58 counties; there are 90 providers

6. Growth in THP-Plus Capacity 2,359 youth were served by THP-Plus in FY 2008-09

7. Methodology • PTS implemented 7/1/08 • Includes data from 35 of 41 implementing counties (~90% of total youth) • Data in analysis from program entrance • 27 data elements collected at program entrance • Sample size range: 288 to 1,049 youth • 80% of analyses include 700+ youth • All reported findings are statistically significant

8. Demographic Summary

9. Educational Attainment: Most youth enter THP-Plus with a H.S diploma or GED Highest Educational Attainment at Entrance

10. Educational Status: Strong majority not enrolled in school at program entrance Academic Status at Program Entrance

11. Employment Status: Majority of entrants not employed Employment Status at Program Entrance

12. Employment: Those employed are employed marginally Wage and Benefit Status at Program Entrance 36% of youth enter THP-Plus “disconnected”

13. Criminal Justice & Assets Criminal Justice Assets

14. Housing Immediately Prior to THP-Plus

15. Older Youth in THP-Plus

16. Older Youth in THP-Plus

17. Parenting Youth in THP-Plus Experienced Homelessness Prior to Entrance

18. Parenting Youth in THP-Plus Employed at Program Entrance

19. Parenting Youth in THP-Plus Attending School at Program Entrance

20. Parenting Youth in THP-Plus “Disconnected” at Program Entrance

21. Demographics: What questions do the data raise? • Why are we serving more young women than young men? • Are program materials, policies and curricula sensitive to sexual orientation? • Are programs providing full-family case management? • How are programs addressing the needs of non-custodial parents? • 65% of participants are female • 6% of youth report they are LGBTQQ • 12% of youth entering THP-Plus are custodial parents • 13% of youth entering THP-Plus are non-custodial parents

22. Housing:What questions do the data raise? • Less than 1 in 3 enter directly from foster care • 1 in 5 youth enter directly from homelessness; 39% have experienced homelessness • 5% of youth enter a host family • 23% of youth enter THP-Plus from a housing setting where they were living with a relative free of rent • Is transition planning beginning early enough? • What needs may a youth entering from homelessness present? • What permanency efforts are underway for the remaining 95% of participants? • What possibilities for permanence are there with relatives with which youth lived prior to entering?

23. Education, Employment & Criminal Justice:What questions do the data raise? • 27% of youth enter with no income • 55% of youth enter unemployed • Over 1 in 3 youth enter “disconnected”: neither employed nor in school • 17% of entering youth were formerly involved with juvenile probation • How do we structure rent in the first three months of THP-Plus? • What options for subsidized employment exist? • Is 24 months enough time for youth to be economically prepared? • Are staff members trained in sealing juvenile records?

24. Parenting & Older Youth:What questions do the data raise? • Older youth more likely to have experienced homelessness and be custodial parent • Custodial parents are more likely to have experienced homelessness • Custodial parents less like likely to be employed or attending school • How are programs meeting the needs of older youth? • Are programs equipped to serve homeless families? • Are programs assisting parents with accessing affordable child care?

25. More analysis to be conducted… • Questions you can answer about your program: • What is the average wage gain? • Many additional questions can be answered on provider and county levels • Consider developing policy internship for MSW, MPP and PhD students in your area • JBF is available to help with technical details of data export process • 2010 policy brief will analyze entrance to exit outcomes

26. Questions or comments? Enter questions on your screen now by clicking the “Question and Answer” arrow, typing your question, and clicking “Send.” Or direct later questions or comments to: Amy Lemley John Burton Foundation (415) 693-1322 amy@johnburtonfoundation.org Michele Byrnes John Burton Foundation (415) 693-1323 michele@johnburtonfoundation.org