Transitional Housing Programs for Current and Former Foster Youth

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Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP)

THPP Fact Sheet

The THPP is a community care licensed placement opportunity for youth in foster care between the ages of 16 and 18 years old. The goal of THPP is to help participants emancipate successfully by providing a safe environment for youth, while learning skills that can make them self-sufficient. Participants may live alone, with departmental approval, or with roommates in apartments or single-family dwellings with an employee or an employee living on site. Support and supervision is provided by THPP agency staff, county social workers and ILP coordinators. 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 youths’ case plan. The youth must also be participating in the Independent Living Program. Please refer to the Fact Sheet above for additional details about the program.

Transitional Housing Placement-Plus-Foster Care (THP+FC)

THP+FC Fact Sheet

Transitional Housing Placement-Plus-Foster Care (THP+FC) was created by Assembly Bill 12 (AB 12) and allows eligible foster youth to extend foster care beyond age 18 and up to age 21. The eligible foster youth are designated Non-Minor Dependents and are entitled to various foster placement options including Supervised Independent Living Settings. This new placement option provides transitional housing and supportive services based on a Transitional Independent Living Plan. AB 12 was authorized by the Federal Public Law (P.L.) 110-351, the Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008. For more information on the THP+FC eligibility and provider requirements please refer to All County Letter 12-44.

Transitional Housing Program-Plus (THP-Plus)

THP-Plus Fact Sheet

THP-Plus is a transitional housing program for young adults who exited foster care (including those supervised by Probation) on or after their 18th birthday and are not yet 24 years of age (25 in counties that have opted to extend services per SB 1252). The housing models and services offered are similar to those offered in THPP, but the rules about the program will be age appropriate for young adults. Please refer to the Fact Sheet above for additional details about the program.

THP-Plus Housing Models

THP-Plus programs are not licensed but are certified by the county social services agency and the home receives a fire clearance, if required. A housing model could include apartments, single-family dwellings, condominiums, college dormitories, and host family models (living with people you know). Housing shelters or temporary accommodations with friends would not be considered a housing model.

Assembly Bill 12

AB 12 was signed into law on September 30, 2010. This bill, which becomes effective on January 1, 2012, implements provisions of the Federal Fostering Connections to Success and Increasing Adoptions Act of 2008 (PL 110-351) in California. One of the provisions of the federal bill allows states to extend foster care up to age 21 to young adults who meet the federal participation criteria after age 18. Two new placement options were created with AB 12 for these young adults, who are referred to as Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs): Transitional Housing Program plus Foster Care (THP+FC) and Supervised Independent Living Placements (SILPs). THP+FC offers similar housing models and supportive services to NMDs as those in the THP-Plus program. SILPs allows certain youth to find and maintain their own housing while receiving a monthly foster care payment. Additional resources may be found at California Fostering Connections.

Contact Us

Transition Age Youth Policy Unit 
California Department of Social Services 
744 P Street, MS 8-13-78
Sacramento, CA 95814 
TAYPolicy@dss.ca.gov