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Home My WebLink About20141763.tiff RESOLUTION RE: APPROVE ANNUAL PROGRAM PLAN FOR CHAFEE FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM AND AUTHORIZE CHAIR TO SIGN WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, pursuant to Colorado statute and the Weld County Home Rule Charter, is vested with the authority of administering the affairs of Weld County, Colorado, and WHEREAS, the Board has been presented with an Annual Program Plan for the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare Services, commencing July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015,with terms and conditions being as stated in said plan, and WHEREAS,after review, the Board deems it advisable to approve said plan,a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, Colorado, ex-officio Board of Social Services, that the Annual Program Plan for the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program from the County of Weld, State of Colorado, by and through the Board of County Commissioners of Weld County, on behalf of the Department of Human Services, to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare Services,be, and hereby is, approved. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Board that the Chair be, and hereby is, authorized to sign said plan. The above and foregoing Resolution was, on motion duly made and seconded, adopted by the following vote on the 11th day of June A.D., 2014. BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS WELD COUNTY, COLORADO ATTESTWgrAmi $ I' . 0 e, Douglas adema her, Chair Weld County Clerk to the Bo•r .Y' CUSED /� ^�) �y,� t ibi '' = bara Kirkmeyer, Pro-Tem lL 0 0_,P/� 11.E\1l • BY: �`Fd7L N .. ��.� De Clerk to the Board �` \ �. can P. Conway AP FORM: ralrla Mike Free �� County Attorney //^� William . Garcia Date of signature: tO ��/�� f-IsD(ST) I on 9--b lol 97/114 SusanT /I tl p4 20141763 HR0084 MEMORANDUM 4,, . !86,jjetit DATE: June 5, 2014 'Ir 1 T II / TO: Douglas Rademacher, Chair, Board of Co issione�s VJ COUNTY FROM: Judy A. Griego, Director, Human Service epart ent SUBJECT: Weld County Department of Human Services' 2014-2015 Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Plan Enclosed for Board approval is the Department's 2014-2015 Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Plan. This Plan was reviewed under a Pass-Around Memorandum dated May 22, 2014, and approved for placement on the Board's Agenda. The Chaffee Independent Living Program is a federally funded program managed by the State but supervised by the local County Departments. It provides voluntary independent living skills training and supervision to youth in placement and transitioning to independence. Chafee workers are assigned to youth on their 16th birthday who reside in out-of-home placement with a permanency goal of Other Planned Permanent Living Arrangement. Youth who have emancipated from DHS care on or after their eighteenth birthday are eligible to choose to continue working with Chafee until their 21' birthday. Chafee services include a curriculum that teaches appropriate independent living skills, money management skills, employment skills, and supports and encourages youth efforts to attend secondary education. Chafee also offers temporary emergency economic and/or room and board assistance when all other resources have been exhausted or are unavailable. The Program will serve 90 youth between the ages of 16—21. The Department is requesting approximately $157,000.00 from the State to manage the Chafee Program. This Plan is effective from July 1, 2014 through June 30, 2015. If you have any questions, give me a call at extension 6510. 2014-1763 CHAFEE FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM (CFCIP) Chafee Collaborative Services Plan Period of Performance: July 1, 2014 to June 30, 2015 • Chafee Case Management and Support Services • Education and Training Voucher(ETV) Services • National Youth in Transition Data Base (NYTD) Services County Name: WELD Fiscal Agent: Or Regional Chafee Collaborative Name: Host County: Fiscal Agent: Collaborative Counties: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Page 1 of 16 REQUEST FOR STATE APPROVAL OF PLAN Please complete all portions of the plan for the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP). This CFCIP collaborative plan is hereby submitted for WELD COUNTY [Indicate county name(s) and Host County if this is a plan with collaborative counties], for the performance period of July 1, 2014 through June 30,2015. The Plan includes the following: o Completed "Request for State Approval" form o Completed "State of Assurances" form o Completed "Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Narrative Summary, Projected Chafee Services and Identification and Outreach charts" form o Completed "Regional Collaborative MOU" if applicable o Completed "Chafee Workers Workload Worksheet" (for each worker)form o Completed "Direct Service Delivery" and/or"Purchased Service Delivery" form o Completed "Youth Direct" form o Completed "Population to be Served"form o Completed "Room and Board Reimbursement" form o Completed "Final Budget page" This Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Collaborative Services Plan has been developed in accordance with State Department of Human Services rules and is hereby submitted to the Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Welfare for approval. If the enclosed proposed Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Plan is approved, the plan will be administered in conformity with its provisions and the provisions of State Department rules and plan requirements. Contact Information: Primary Contact: Name: Kristi Skinner Phone: 970-352-1551 ext. 6546 E-Mail: skinnekk@weldgov.com Supervisor/Administrator Contact: Name: Gabrielle Brighton Phone: 970-352-1551 ext. 6230 E-Mail: Brightgm@co.weld.co.us Accounting Contact: Name: Lennie L. Bottorff Phone: 970-352-1551 ext. 6537 E-Mail: Bottotllto7co.weld.co.us If two or more counties propose this plan, the required signatures below are to be completed by each participant county. Please attach an additional signature page as needed. d( 61 V21% Signature, RECTOR, COUNT DEP RTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES DATE Cam(` ',` ° JUN 1 1 2014 ancOSignatureXHA R BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DATE Page 2 of 16 ,2 ON-1703 CHAFEE FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM PLAN STATEMENT OF ASSURANCES The following County (ies): WELD assure that, upon approval of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Collaborative Services Plan and allocation the following will be adhered to in the implementation of the CFCIP Collaborative Services Plan: Chafee Foster Care Independence Program—Federal and State Required Statement of Assurances: 1. Funds shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in the plan; 2. Funds shall not be used to supplant, duplicate or replace existing child welfare funds and; 3. Funds shall not be used for county budget shortfalls; 4. Assistance and services shall be provided only to Chafee-eligible youth [PL 106-109, Section 477(b)(3)(A)] and [PL 110-351] on a voluntary basis; 5. Not more than 30 percent of the amounts allocated for CFCIP for a fiscal year(performance period) will be expended for room and board for youth who have left foster care because they have attained 18 years of age, and have not attained 21 years of age [PL 106-109, Section 477(b)(3)(B)]; 6. None of the amounts paid to the County Department from its Chafee allocation will be expended for room and board for any child who has not attained 18 years of age [PL 106-109, Section 477(b)(3)(C)]; 7. The County Department will make every effort to coordinate the CFCIP program receiving funds with other Federal and State programs for youth (especially transitional living youth projects funded under part B of title Ill of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act of 1974); abstinence education programs, local housing programs, programs for disabled youth (especially sheltered workshops), and school-to-work programs offered by high schools or local workforce agencies [PL 106-109, Section 477(b)(3)(F)]; 8. Adolescents participating in the program under this section will participate directly in designing their own program activities that prepare them for independent living and the adolescents will be required to accept personal responsibility for living up to their part of the program [PL 106-109, Section 477(b)(3)(H)]; 9. The County Department will enter data on services into the State automated reporting system (Colorado Trails); 10. The County Department artment will assure that National Youth in Transitions Database (NYTD) program evaluation and youth survey requirements are met; and, 11. Ensure all youth 18 to 21 have documents that demonstrate legal presence in the United States before CFCIP services are provided. Page 3 of 16 CHAFEE FOSTER CARE INDEPENDENCE PROGRAM NARRATIVE SUMMARY County (ies) Name(s): WELD The County's Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) services plans are required to be approved annually. Given that services are not standardized across counties, it is important to provide detailed bullets of information about a County's projected services. According to Volume 7, the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) is a federally funded statewide independent living program that is county administered. The purpose of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program is to provide age appropriate independent living resources to youth in out-of-home care who are at risk of aging out of foster care. These services shall supplement existing independent living resources and programs in county departments, residential child care facilities and child placement agencies, and by federal statute, shall not replace or duplicate existing services. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program funds shall not be used for room and board for a youth under eighteen (18) years of age. 7.305.41 County Responsibilities [Rev. eff. 2/1/10] A. The designated host county department shall submit a county plan for State approval. B. The county department shall comply in format, content, and time lines with the instructions for Chafee Foster Care Independence Program plans as published by the State Department in an agency letter which will also contain required instructions for program and financial reporting. C. The county department shall administer the State approved plan in accordance with provisions of the plan. D. Funds shall be used exclusively for the purposes specified in the plan. E. County departments must submit amendments to approved plans when the county is proposing to add or delete a service to the plan. The county department shall submit amendments of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program plan for pre-approval to the State Department no less than thirty (30) business days before the amendment is to be effective. 7.305.42 Eligibility [Rev. eff. 7/1/12] To be eligible for Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) services, the youth must: A. Meet Program Area 4, 5, or 6 target group eligibility requirements or meet community placement requirements for the Division of Youth Corrections. B. Be at risk of aging out of foster care which includes youth: 1. Currently in out-of-home care, fifteen (15) up to eighteen (18) years of age, and in out-of-home placement for a minimum of six (6) months. Consecutive months are not required; 2. Age sixteen (16) to twenty-one (21), who meet requirements for Relative Guardianship Assistance and entered Relative Guardianship on or after age sixteen (16); 3. Age sixteen (16) to twenty-one (21), who meet requirements for Adoption Assistance and entered Adoption Assistance on or after age sixteen (16); 4. Age eighteen (18)to twenty-one (21), who were in out-of-home care on their eighteenth (18th) birthday. C. Have a current Family Services Plan in the State Department's automated system. For youth who entered into a Relative Guardianship or Adoption Assistance agreement at age sixteen (16) or older, the following may be Page 4 of 16 used in lieu of a Family Services Plan: 1. The Relative Guardianship or Adoption Assistance agreement; or, 2. An Independent Living Plan developed on or prior to the eighteenth (18th) birthday. D. Participate on a voluntary basis. The youth may decide to refuse services, but shall be entitled to reconsider his or her choice and receive services at a later date. E. Follow the plan developed with the youth and the county department regarding participation in the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. 1. Identification and Outreach: CFCIP-Eligible Identification Outreach Service Populations Processes Process 1) Youth, age 15 to 21, who have Referred to Chafee by DHS CW • Referral received been in out-of-home care a Monthly administrative review list • Contact made with youth minimum of 6 months, TRAILS/Crystal Reports • Assessment completed with consecutive months not required. TDM, Permanency Round Tables discussion regarding Chafee Adolescent Care Exceptions being a voluntary program Report • Transition Plan created • Provide on-going support and services focused on the outcomes in the Transition Plan 2) Youth, age 16-21, who entered Referred to Chafee by DHS • Referral received Adoption Assistance on or after Adoption CW; Monthly • Contact made with youth age 16. administrative review list • Assessment completed with TRAILS/Crystal Reports discussion regarding Chafee being a voluntary program • Transition Plan created • Provide on-going support and services focused on the outcomes in the Transition Plan 3) Youth, age 16-21, who and Referred to Chafee by DHS CW • Referral received entered Relative Guardianship State ETV listing • Contact made with youth Assistance on or after age 16. TDM, Permanency Round Tables • Assessment completed with discussion regarding Chafee being a voluntary program • Transition Plan created • Provide on-going support and services focused on the outcomes in the Transition Plan 4) Young adults, age 18-21, who Referred to Chafee by DHS CW • Referral received were in out-of-home care on their State ETV listing • Contact made with youth 18th birthday. TDM, Permanency Round Tables • Assessment completed with NYTD discussion regarding Chafee being a voluntary program • Transition Plan created • Provide on-going support and services focused on the outcomes in the Transition Page 5 of 16 Plan 5) Youth, age 15-21, who meet Referred to Chafee by DYC • Referral received community placement State EN listing • Contact made with youth requirements for the Division of • Assessment completed with Youth Corrections, and were in discussion regarding Chafee community placement for a being a voluntary program minimum of 6 months, • Transition Plan created consecutive months not required; • Provide on-going support and or, were in community placement services focused on the (Title IV-E paid placement that is outcomes in the Transition in an unlocked facility) on their Plan 18th birthday. Note: Recommended Standards of Practice - Identification and Outreach Processes: 1. Monthly, review your County's Trails R570 Adolescent Care Exceptions Report to determine eligible youth and contact the caseworker. 2. Monthly, review the ETV listing provided by the State to determine Chafee-eligible youth at local vocational programs and colleges in your county or region and offer support. A. Describe (in bulleted format) how your county will verify a youth meets the citizenship requirements before accessing CFCIP services. At the time of their referral to the program,each applicant must verify lawful presence in the United States by the following: 1)Produce either: a. valid Colorado Driver's license or a Colorado Identification Card issued pursuant to Article 2 of Title 42, C.R.S.; OR b. a United State Military Card or Military Dependent's Identification Card;OR c. a United States Merchant Mariner Card;OR d. a Native American Tribal Document; OR e. any other document authorized by rules adopted by the Department of Revenue;AND 2) Execute an Affidavit stating that: a. he or she is a United States citizen or legal permanent resident; OR b. he or she is otherwise lawfully present in the United States pursuant to federal law. 2. Program Narrative: Describe in bulleted detail how your program will design and deliver services to achieve the purposes of A) Legal permanency and lifelong connections; Address your county's use of the Youth Connections Scale to strengthen connections and Chafee support in the Permanency Roundtable process. How will your program help young people identify and strengthen relationships with family, kin, mentors and supportive adults other than department staff and providers?) Chafee workers provide monthly independent living workshops. In addition to the many issues that are covered, workshops also address issues related to appropriate social skills, maintaining relationships,techniques for reaching out to others, and developing their own social traditions. Beginning with their initial involvement in a case, Chafee workers begin educating foster and adoptive parents, placement staff,caseworkers, and kinship providers regarding the importance of their continuing involvement and support of youth after they leave the child welfare system in order to support their successful emancipation. Chafee workers participate in TDM's, Family engagement meetings, permanency round tables,and permanency reviews in order to develop appropriate planning related to emancipation from child welfare and to prepare for appropriate permanency and ongoing supportive relationships. Chafee workers may work with youth who meet requirements for Adoption or Relative Guardianship Assistance, and entered Relative Guardianship on or after age sixteen, in order to support those permanent relationships so that youth have a strong foundation that prepares them for eventual emancipation and self-sufficiency Page 6 of 16 B) Wellbeing; (physical, dental, mental, behavioral and sexual health strategies and resources/ healthy relationship and lifestyle choices/access to Medicaid and health insurance) The Weld County Chafee workers utilize many of the services offered by Public Health. Chafee workers connect youth to services provided by Public Health, including information and resources on sexual health strategies. Chafee workers include programming provided by Public Health in independent living groups and monthly workshops. Chafee also works with caseworkers, foster parents, and kinship providers in order to encourage the ongoing youth's education regarding personal hygiene, regular health care checkups, how to make appointments,and creating a portfolio of the documents needed to access services successfully. WAIT training and the forty developmental assets have been very popular interventions with the youth and their significant relationships C) Safe and stable housing; (complete and address Attachment A: Housing Assessment for Youth Receiving Chafee Wrap-Around Services) Through the grant, for a total of$8,652.00, Chafee will offer temporary Emergency Room and Board Assistance when all other resources have been exhausted or are unavailable. The goal of the use of these funds is to continue to encourage the youth to be self-sufficient,provide a temporary safety net for unexpected needs and help youth avoid homelessness. These funds can be used for purposes of temporary housing,rental deposit,and food. The amount will not exceed$480.00 per year per youth and is only available if the funds are available. Payment will be made through a voucher. This expenditure will be approved by the Chafee Worker and the Youth Services Permanency Supervisor. Through the grant, for a total of$5,840,Chafee will offer temporary Emergency Economic Assistance when all other resources have been exhausted or are unavailable. The goal of the use of these funds is to continue to encourage the youth to be self-sufficient,provide a temporary safety net for unexpected needs and help youth avoid homelessness. These funds cannot be used for purposes of room and board but for items such as new work boots, employment license fee, assist temporarily with emergency medical co-pay fees,tuition for training or a class for employment. The amount will not exceed$486 per year per youth and is only available if the funds are D) Secondary educational attainment; (address how your program will support high school completion, GED attainment, and post-secondary goal setting) The Chafee workers will mediate and support eligible Chafee youth's relationships with secondary educators in order to encourage the successful completion of their high school or GED programming. They also connect youth to appropriate educational services offered in the community such as; special education assessments, transitional education programming,tutoring through AIMS, [INC,and Rodarte Center,the GAP or private programs, alternative schools,the Workforce Investment Act(WIA),Job Corps,and vocational training. Weld Chafee workers participate in and support youth participation in the Annual Celebration of Educational Excellence and the Annual College Connect Conference as they encourage and celebrate the youth's educational successes and dedication. E) Post-secondary training and educational attainment; (Complete and address Attachment B: Educational and Training Voucher Support Services Assessment) The Chafee workers use their alliance with youth in order to successfully promote the necessity of post-secondary training and education by helping youth research employment opportunities and the requirements for them. They assist the youth in visiting post-secondary training and education alternatives, facilitating meetings with faculty, counselors,or other youth. Chafee workers assist youth with completing enrollment applications/forms and or financial aid applications related to ETV funds, FASFA, and scholarships. Chafee workers help youth manage their stipends, self- sufficiency budgets, and scheduling so that they can keep up with their educational planning. Chafee workers are very involved in disseminating information throughout the Department regarding the importance of Educational Training Vouchers for youth who are preparing for post secondary educational opportunities. They provide information to workers related to financial aid. Page 7 of 16 F) Adequate employment; Chafee workers provide monthly support and information meetings that provide information on pre-employment processes, interviewing and job seeking skills and post-employment supports. The Chafee worker connects the youth with county contacts such as the Workforce Center and WIA. G) Financial stability through knowledge of financial responsibilities and skills in personal household financial management: Chafee provides eligible youth with an individualized,comprehensive assessment that identifies strengths and deficits related to financial management. All youth involved in Chafee must develop and maintain a self- sufficiency budget. That budget is reviewed monthly with the Chafee worker and the assigned DHS caseworker. Chafee provides programming related to teaching youth about money management,budgeting, self-sufficiency, financial institutions, and benefits to saving, savings mechanisms, and financial aid. This information is provided at youth groups and individually. Chafee workshop presentations are broken down by the Chafee worker in individual sessions with the youth to ensure comprehension so that the information becomes a part of the youths skill set through practice and supportive supervision. H) Successful transition to adult self-sufficiency. Weld County Chafee workers provide eligible youth with individually tailored, hands on, incentivized interventions and supports which meet the unique needs of each youth in order to prepare them for successful emancipation and adult self-sufficiency. The youth's intervention plan is based on an individualized comprehensive assessment that identifies strengths and deficits related to appropriate independent living skills sets. Independent Living Education and Aftercare workshops are offered for the youth ages 16-21. These groups offer skills training for self-sufficiency and support. Funding is designated for these groups to provide incentives to promote participation. 3. Targeted Service Delivery: According to the Midwest Evaluation of the Adult Functioning of Former Foster Youth (attached longitudinal study), the functioning for former foster youth may be generally described in terms of primary functioning types and characteristics that provide general insights into their specific needs and the potential services they will need. These types may be dynamic but may be used as a guide for programming. Every youth's needs are unique and are to be addressed on an individualized basis. In the following charts please use short bulleted details to describe targeted services to be made available to each type and characteristic service population of youth listed to meet their unique needs. Types Characteristics Projected Chafee Services GENDER: Nearly two-thirds are female Weld County Chafee Workers provide eligible Accelerated Adults HOUSING: Most are likely to live on their own in youth with: 36.3% stable housing • Individually tailored,comprehensive, EDUCATION: Almost all finished high school, hands on, incentivized interventions and most attend college some have a degree supports. EMPLOYMENT: Most are likely to be currently • A comprehensive assessment that employed identifies strengths and deficits related to CHILDREN: Nearly half have children and most appropriate independent living skills sets. are resident children • A youth specific Transition Plan that CRIMINAL CONVICTION: Second lowest guides the youth and their support team criminal conviction group towards meeting the unique needs of each OTHER: A third were homeless, received food youth in order to prepare them for stamps and 17% report having PTSD successful emancipation and adult self- Page 8 of 16 sufficiency. Struggling GENDER: Three-fourths are female Weld County Chafee Workers provide eligible Parents HOUSING: Half have their own place and half youth with: 25.2% live with others • Individually tailored, comprehensive, EDUCATION: Least likely group to finish high hands on, incentivized interventions and school or attend college supports. EMPLOYMENT: One fourth are employed but • A comprehensive assessment that this group has the lowest employment rate identifies strengths and deficits related to CHILDREN: All but 2% have at least one living appropriate independent living skills sets. resident child • A youth specific Transition Plan that CRIMINAL CONVICTION: Similar to the guides the youth and their support team Accelerated Adults group towards meeting the unique needs of each OTHER: Most are married or cohabitating, youth in order to prepare them for African-American, 70.7% are on food stamps successful emancipation and adult self- sufficiency. Emerging GENDER: Half male and half female Weld County Chafee Workers provide eligible Adults HOUSING: Most live with family or friends youth with: 21.1% EDUCATION: Vast majority finished high school • Individually tailored, comprehensive, and have at least some college hands on, incentivized interventions and nd EMPLOYMENT: 2 highest employment rate supports. CHILDREN: Least likely to have a child, over • A comprehensive assessment that two-thirds have a non-resident child identifies strengths and deficits related to CRIMINAL CONVICTION: Lowest criminal appropriate independent living skills sets. conviction group • A youth specific Transition Plan that OTHER: Least likely to be married or homeless guides the youth and their support team towards meeting the unique needs of each youth in order to prepare them for successful emancipation and adult self- sufficiency. Troubled GENDER: Vast majority of this group are male Weld County Chafee Workers provide eligible and HOUSING: Most are likely to be homeless or youth with: Troubling experience high residence mobility • Individually tailored,comprehensive, 17.5% EDUCATION: Two-fifths have not finished high hands on, incentivized interventions and school, only one tenth have some college supports. EMPLOYMENT: Least likely to be currently • A comprehensive assessment that employed identifies strengths and deficits related to CHILDREN: Nearly half have children but none appropriate independent living skills sets. are living with their children • A youth specific Transition Plan that CRIMINAL CONVICTION: Most are guides the youth and their support team incarcerated, four-fifths since age 18 towards meeting the unique needs of each OTHER: Have mental health, substance abuse, youth in order to prepare them for homeless issues and report lowest levels of successful emancipation and adult self- social support, highest rate of victimization and sufficiency. felt unprepared 4. Program Goals and Objectives: List program goals and objectives for this plan period. Goal 1: Education: 50% of appropriate Weld County Chafee youth will avail themselves of the many educational, vocational,technical and certificate programs available to them. Objective A: Chafee youth will receive either their high school diploma or GED. Objective B: Chafee youth will actively participate in seeking out secondary educational, vocational or certificate programs. Objective C: Chafee youth will participate in some form of secondary educational opportunity before they turn 21. Page 9 of 16 Goal 2: Employment Stability: 50% of appropriate Weld County Chafee youth will be gainfully Y employed, either full or part-time by the time they turn 21. Objective A: Pre-employment skills: Chafee youth will demonstrate that they have the technical ability to apply for a job, search on-line for jobs and submit applications for a job. Objective B: Post-employment skills- Chafee youth will demonstrate that they have a strong work ethic by showing up to work on time, not calling in to miss scheduled shifts, being on time to work and not quitting their job. Objective C: Money Management-Chafee youth will save at least 80% of each pay check. Before the youth turns 21, they will have $3000-$4000 in savings. Goal 3: Permanent Connections-75% of Chafee youth will have permanent connections on which to turn to in a time of need or crisis before they turn 21. Objective A: Reconnecting or staying connected- Chafee youth will stay connected with current supports, or if desired and appropriate, reconnect with family supports. Objective B: Building Community Supports-Chafee youth will know how to access services such as the health department,food bank, social services and the hospital before they turn 21. Objective C: When invited, Chafee workers will attend PRT's, FTM's and staffing for Chafee youth 75% of the time in an effort to learn who possible permanent connections are for the youth and to promote the maintenance of those connections with the youth. 5. Collaboration A. Describe (in bulleted format) your plans for networking, collaborative partnering and leveraging shared resources with biological, foster and adoptive parents, relatives, congregate care workers and caseworkers to meet the long-term needs of youth for permanency and permanent connections to provide a foundation for preparing youth for independent living beyond the age of 21. • Chafee Caseworkers attend weekly youth services unit meetings, TDM's, Permanency Planning Reviews, Round Tables,and Family Engagement Meetings in order to develop a plan to ensure a continuum of care and to coordinate community and kinship supports and services. Youth have the opportunity to participate in a these planning reviews in order to provide information related to what interventions have been successful and what planning is needed to better address issues related to permanency and self sufficiency. • Chafee Caseworkers have relationships with community organizations that provide services to emancipating youth, such as Transition to Independence, Realizing Independence Through Education, Role Model Mentors, Rodarte, Housing Authority, AIMS Community College Admissions, WIA,etc. Chafee caseworkers transfer the alliance that they have with youth to these providers in order to facilitate the youth's transition into successful participation in those identified services. • Chafee caseworkers support,through mediation and by providing a communication hub,the relationships that youth are developing with providers and family members. B. Describe (in bulleted format) your projected efforts to involve the public and private sectors, such as the faith community, health department and county extension office, in your CFCIP planning process and direct services provision. (e.g. partnership with local public housing authority to address transitional housing needs, or collaboration with your local workforce center to increase coordinated career development opportunities for young people who have had foster care involvement.) Page 10 of 16 • Chafee Caseworkers refer youth to both public and private agencies as resources. By referring youth to those programs already in the community and not directly providing the service,youth will learn how to seek out such services in the future on their own as they develop self-sufficiency. Chafee Caseworkers may provide interventions with the youth and agency in order to ensure that the youth has a successful experience. Chafee will intercede with agencies when deficits in service are identified in order to work with the agency to improve youth participation. • These services may include: University of Northern Colorado, AIMS Community College, area school districts, Educational Opportunity Center,the local Community Center Board-Centennial Developmental Services, Colorado Vocational Rehabilitation Services, Weld Human Resources/Employment Services, County Extension Office,Job Corps, Department of Social Security, Weld Health Department, Sunrise Community Health Center, Salude Clinics, Planned Parenthood, Colorado Child Health Plan, Medicaid, North Range Behavioral Health, UNC Counseling Center,North Colorado Medical Center,North Colorado Psychcare, Alcoholics Anonymous,Narcotics Anonymous, AL-ANON, Right to Read, Local Military Recruiters, Youth Link,Greeley Recreation Center, Rodarte Center, Boy's and Girl's Club, Partners, Support Groups, Women, Infants and Children Food Program, Weld Food Bank, Child Advocacy Resource and Education, First Steps, Bright Beginnings, Salvation Army, Transitional House, Guadalupe Center Services, A Woman's Place, Catholic Charities, Life Bridge, Role Model Mentoring,Transition to Independence, Urban Peak, YMCA, Realizing Independence Through Education . • Individuals and groups from both the public and private sector will be invited to attend Chafee workshops as speakers in order to describe their programming and how their services may be accessed. Youth are encouraged by the Chafee Caseworker, and incentivized,to attend to the workshops. Chafee Caseworker may transport individuals to specific services in order to help them access those community services. 6. Youth Involvement in Agency Improvement Planning Efforts A. Describe (in bulleted format) how youth are involved in the CFCIP planning process, positive youth development and leadership development. Also, describe how you will overcome barriers to participation in youth advisory boards and how youth leaders will be compensated for their expertise, time and performance (e.g. targeted stipends, recognitions, etc.). • Chafee youth have the opportunity to attend Team Decision Meetings, Permanency Planning Reviews, Round Tables, Family Engagement Meetings, Court hearings, and Independent Living Arrangement reviews in order to have a voice in their permanency plans and independent living planning. • Weld County Chafee Caseworkers develop, with eligible youth, an individually tailored,comprehensive, incentivized independent living plan based on a comprehensive assessment of the youth that identifies strengths and deficits related to appropriate independent living skills sets,so that the plan provides interventions that meet the unique needs of each youth in order to prepare them for successful emancipation and adult self-sufficiency. Incentives in their plan encourage youth to participate in youth development and leadership opportunities where their voice can benefit themselves and the community of emancipating youth. The youth receive support from their assigned Chafee and DHS caseworkers in order to meet their goals. Youth are recognized for their efforts and successes during Chafee workshops,Court hearings,and DHS planning meetings. • Youth who demonstrate consistent compliance with the objectives of their treatment planning,and who communicate openly and honestly with their treatment team, may be recognized by the Department with the opportunity to participate in an Independent Living Arrangement and the ability to earn an Independent Living Stipend. 7. Program Support A. Describe (in bulleted format) how your county will involve foster parents and caseworkers to assure awareness and full documentation of all independent living skills provided to support youth and provide an accurate reflection of your efforts in the National Youth in Transition Database and related outcomes reports. Weld County Chafee Caseworkers develop, with eligible youth, an individually tailored, incentivized, independent living plan. The plan is based on a comprehensive assessment that identifies the youth's strengths and deficits related to appropriate independent living skills sets. The plan includes a self-sufficiency budget and Page 11 of 16 information related to appropriate community resources. This information is documented in the youth's case file, during court reviews,during Foster Care Reviews,and in the Trails system. Page 12 of 16 Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Regional County Memorandum of Understanding Date: This Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is between County (Host County) and County (Partnering County) regarding the provision of Chafee program services. This MOU is entered into in order to clarify and define the roles and responsibilities for each County (listed above) in order to meet the requirements of the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) regarding Regional County agreements for service delivery to CFCIP participants. It is the intent that by entering into this agreement that County (Host County) and County (Partnering County) mutually agree to adhere to State rules and Federal statutes and policies that apply to CFCIP. General Provisions: • 1. It is expected that the Directors (or Director's designee) from both the Host County and the Partnering County sign this MOU. 2. It is expected that both Counties entering this agreement shall be responsible to communicate and coordinate with each other regarding case referral and to provide each other with pertinent information regarding the child and any other issues deemed necessary for effective and constructive service delivery. 3. The Host County shall be responsible for Trails documentation. 4. The Host County is responsible for providing funds for a Chafee participant being served by Host County. 5. The Host County shall be responsible for documenting and tracking the Chafee funds disbursed and such funds shall be reflected in the Host County's annual reporting. 6. The Host County shall be responsible for expending funds per CFCIP and Federal guidelines, documentation of expenditures and reporting the annual expenditures in annual reports. 7. The Host County shall be responsible for including the Chafee participant in their monthly caseload status reports and will submit them to the CFCIP Program Specialist by the 15 of each month. 8. The Host County shall be responsible for compiling the annual individual data reports and submit them to the CFCIP Program Administrator. 9. The writing and revision of Youth Transition Plans shall include the Chafee participant; care providers, and both the Host County and the Partnering County. 10. The Host County will agree to update the partnering County by use of Trails entry. 11. The Host County will provide any Chafee services determined as necessary by the initial assessment in accordance with CFCIP regulations. 12. The Host County is responsible for initial follow up reports. 13. The Host County will inform the Partnering County of case closure through written documentation and will close the Independent Living case in Trails. Page 13 of 16 14. The Host County is responsible for providing a copy of the annual County Collaborative Chafee Plan to the Partnering County upon plan approval and ensuring expenditures are allowable costs. Specific Provisions: 1. Please list specific services to be provided by the Host County: 2. Financial agreements: The Host County receives a total regional allocation of $ for the County Collaborative Chafee Plan submitted by the Host and Partnering Counties to the Division of Child Welfare. This allocation includes an amount of $ available for Chafee services to be provided to Chafee eligible youth from the Partnering County and for which referral is made to the Host County by the Partnering County requesting services. Any funds not expended by May 31st shall be expended at the discretion of the Host County. Chafee funds shall be used in accordance with Federal guidelines in Public Law 106-169 and per federal statute Title IV-E of the Social Security Act at Section 477. Signatures: County, Host Collaborative County Director(or Director's designee) Administrator Chafee Supervisor Chafee Caseworker County, Partner Collaborative County Director (or Director's designee) Administrator Chafee Supervisor Chafee Caseworker Page 14 of 16 Attachment A: Housing Assessment for Youth Receiving Chafee Wrap-Around Services County: 1. What is the current housing availability for youth in your county? There is very limited housing available to youth in Weld County. There is one homeless shelter. Weld County does now have access to FUP vouchers through the United Way. 2. What are the gaps in housing availability for youth in your county? The cost to rent an apartment or home for youth who live on minimum wage is not feasible without additional assistance. There are very limited numbers of available low income housing opportunities and a long waiting list for those that are available. 3. What are typical barriers to finding safe and stable housing for youth? Income, availability, inability to pass rental background checks, lack of willing co-signers and unwillingness of landlords to rent to youth. This section only applies to Counties who have access to Family Unification Program Vouchers Does your county refer young people who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or who are living in inadequate housing to the Family Unification Program (FUP)? X❑ YES ❑ NO Which of the following provide Family Unification Program Vouchers for youth in your County? ❑ Bridging The Gap/ DOH ❑ Local DOH FUP Partnership O Local Housing Authority X❑ Other If other please list: United Way Total #of youth in your program Estimated Number of Youth by Characteristic Type Currently using a FUP voucher Accelerated Struggling Emerging Adults Troubled and Adults Parents Troubling None at this time 3 have applied 4. Barriers/Challenges your program has identified to using FUP vouchers for youth housing: A. The process is very lengthy B. Locating approved housing within 60 days of approval when there are limited places available C. D. E. F. Page 15 of 16 Attachment B: Educational and Training Voucher (ETV) Support Services Assessment County: 1. How will your program identify and outreach to EN students in your county? Through the use of the EN report, although that report only shows the youth from our county, so in order to make it a useable report, we need to be able to see all counties. The outreach will be the same process as it is for other Chafee youth referred to Weld County. 2. What is your county's plan to help students attending school outside of your county connect with their local Chafee program? The assigned Chafee worker will contact the county where the youth is attending school and provide the youth with a contact name and number to ensure a smooth transition. The Chafee worker will assist the youth with locating and disturbing any required documents. 3. Which local colleges, universities, career and technical education or trade programs provide specialized support to youth from foster care, unaccompanied or homeless youth? UNC, AIMS and CSU have been very accommodating with youth from foster care. While they don't have specialized support, they are supportive and don't create additional barriers for youth 4. Which local colleges, universities, career and technical education or trade programs offer housing during breaks? None that we are aware of at this time. 5. What are the most common support needs of youth receiving ETV in your county? A. Financial B. Mentoring C. On-going independent livings skills Projected#of ETV youth to be served in your #of ETV students currently being served outside the county county 10 15 Page 16 of 16 0 0 0 N m J Q t- 0 f O y O E q y O = t t ?r' l7 z = a ig N ; ` IL O a 0 • B E E 2 N z nrg $ 9 B u d q m O C Ym a` = N « VI N n e. 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