Improving Outcomes for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care

1. Improving Outcomes for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care Barbara Facher, MSWb.facher@kids-alliance.org Alliance for Children’s Rights 3333 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 550 Los Angeles, CA. 90010(213) 368-6010 Ext: 105 Fax: (213) 368-6016

2. Goal Reducing the intergenerational cycle of entry into the child welfare system by ensuring that teen parents in foster care have the support and services needed to parent successfully and transition to independence.

3. Reproductive Rights • A minor may consent to medical care relating to the prevention or treatment of pregnancy regardless of age. Minor must seek consent from her parent or guardian if seeking to be sterilized. (Family Code Section 6925) • American Academy of Pediatrics v. Lungren16 Cal. 4th 307 • Youth in both foster care and probation custody retain these rights (WIC 220, 221 & 222)

4. Educational Rights Right To: • Stay in and Return to School • Participate in ALL Academic Activities • Participate in ALL Extracurricular Activities • Reasonable Adjustments • California Education Code Sec. 230(h); California Regulations 5 C.C.R. Sec. 4950 • Title IX

5. By the Numbers: EPY in Foster Care • Female youth in foster care are 2.5 times more likely than those not in foster care to have been pregnant by age 19. • 46% of teen girls in foster care who have been pregnant had a subsequent pregnancy, compared to 29% of their peers outside the system • 50% of 21-year-old men aging our of foster care reported they had gotten someone pregnant, compared to 19% of their peers who were not in foster care. • Children of parenting foster youth are five times more likely to have spent time in foster care than the children of same-aged mothers in the general population

6. Advantages of AB 12 • AB 12 extended foster care to age 21 • If a NMD chooses to stay in foster care past her/his 18th birthday, there will be funding for both the NMD and the baby; funding for the baby is called an Infant Supplement and is currently $900.00 per month. • The NMD will not need to apply for CalWORKs (welfare) while still in foster care. CalWORKs is now limited to 48 months of benefits, so by remaining in care with funding for both the NMD and the baby (Infant Supplement), the clock will not start on CalWORKs benefits. • There will be assistance finding housing for the NMD and the baby and assistance finding child care, parenting classes and other things needed to take care of the baby.

7. Whole Family Foster Homes (WFFH) and Shared Responsibility Plan (SRP) • Whole Family Foster Homes: Provides foster care to dependent teen parents and their non-dependent children, while assisting the teen parents to develop the skills they will need to provide a safe, stable and permanent home for their children • Infant Supplement: • California provides $900/mo. to the placement of the parenting youth. • Shared Responsibility Plan: helps develop the parent-child bond, assists the teen parent in her/his transition to independence, and creates a successful, supportive and nurturing placement for both the teen and the child. • Youth in a Whole Family Foster Home who enter into a shared responsibility agreement are eligible for a $200 supplemental payment.

8. Infant Supplement and Parent Support Plan (PSP) • Infant Supplement: • Parenting youth who live in SILP receive $900/mo. directly. • Parenting Suport Plan: • Addresses the unique challenges of young parents living in a SILP and identifies significant supports to assist the youth in developing the skills necessary to provide a safe, stable and permanent home for their child. • The youth will still receive infant supplement payment in addition to the $200 increase in payment that comes from entering into the PSP with an adult mentor.

9. Who is Eligible? • To be a mentor one must: • Be at least 21 years of age • Undergo a criminal records check (Health and Safety Code Section 1522) • Undergo a Child Abuse Central Index Check (Penal Code Section 11170

10. Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) Conferences • Utilizes a Two-Generational Approach • Proactively identifies and addresses the needs of any EPY under the supervision of the Department of Children and Family Services (inclusive of teen fathers) • The conferences are VOLUNTARY.

11. Expectant and Parenting Youth (EPY) Conferences (cont.) • Conference is led by a DCFS Facilitator and includes a CSW and Resource Specialist. • Youth is encouraged to invite individuals who are part of her/his support system. • The conferences address issues related to pregnancy and parenting, as well as the youth’s transition to successful independence.

12. Core Components of EPY Conferences Participants may include: DCFS/Community Supports: • Educational Consultant • Independent Living Program (ILP) Coordinator • Public Health Nurse (PHN) • Wraparound • Department of Public Social Services Linkages • Department of Mental Health • Therapist • CASA • Home Visitation Program Family Support Systems: • Youth Father • Youth Mother • Family members • Non –related extended family members • Caregiver/Legal Guardian • Significant friend (maternal and paternal) .

13. Issues Discussed at EPY Conferences • Prenatal Care/Reproductive Health • Placement instability • Education • Subsidized child care to enable youth to remain in school • Child Care • Parenting Classes • Early Intervention for babies • Counseling • Legal Issues: Family Law, tickets, immigration etc • Public Benefits • Transition Issues and Services

14. What can EPY Conferences Achieve? • Positive Birth Experience • Successful Parenting • Resolution of Barriers to Achieving Independence

15. Resources and Support • Website of resources/information for Expectant and Parenting Youth in Foster Care www.teenparent.net • Reproductive Health www.plannedparenthood.com • Nurse-Family Partnership Program (NFP) The NFP is a free, voluntary program that partners first-time moms with nurses who provide intensive home visitation services. Referrals to the NFP must be submitted by the 24th week of pregnancy. For more information: www.nursefamilypartnership.org/locations/California‎

16. Resources and Support • Adolescent Family Life Programs (AFLP) The Adolescent Family Life Programs serve youth up to age 19. Case managers provide services to help ensure the birth of a healthy baby, assist teens in completing their education, and provide information on preventing additional unintended pregnancies. AFLP programs may offer education on AIDS prevention, dropout prevention, violence prevention, special programs for teen fathers and family life education. Find an AFLP office: www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/aflp/‎ • Child Care Parenting youth may be entitled to child care funding for a period of time through DCFS. They should also contact The Child Care Resource and Referral (R & R) Agencies, which are child care contracting agencies that help provide parents with free or low-cost child care. Find an agency in your county: www.rrnetwork.org‎

17. DCFS Policies on Serving Expectant and Parenting Youth • Procedural Guide 0600-507.10, Foster Youth Reproductive Health • Procedural Guide 0100-510.40, Teen Parents in Foster Care • FYI #10-80, Pregnant and Parenting Teen (PPT) Conferences Utilizing the Family Group Decision Making Model • FYI #12-21, Children’s Law Center (CLC) Investigator’s Participation • FYI #02-06, Adolescent Family Life Program (AFLP)

18. DCFS Policies on Serving Expectant and Parenting Youth • FYI #08-19 (REV.), Referring Caregivers for Whole Family Foster Home Certification Training • FYI #07-40, Reproductive Health and Parenting Resources for Teens in L.A. County • Pregnant and Parenting Teen website on DCFS’ intranet site, LA Kids