Transitional Housing

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 (or 19 if still in school). 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 and single-family dwellings with regular support and supervision 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 (TILP), 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 Program for Emancipated Foster/Probation Youth (THP-Plus)

THP-Plus Fact Sheet

The THP-Plus is a housing program for emancipated foster youth at least age 18 up to their 24th birthday. A person is eligible to participate if the county he/she lived in when he/she aged-out of foster care is participating in the program. A person may also participate in another county if that county accepts them into the program. The same services and housing models are offered as 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 Fact Sheet

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. California has opted to initiate the age limit by steps, i.e. by age 19 in 2012; by age 20 in 2013; and, may go up to age 21 depending on additional money being appropriated by the Legislature in 2014. A new foster care placement option called THP-Plus-FC was created via AB 12 as a placement option for these young adults called Non-Minor Dependents (NMDs). This program will offer similar housing models and supportive services to NMDs that are available in the current THP-Plus program. The specifics of this program are currently being developed. Additional resources may be found at California Fostering Connections.

For additional information:

Independent Living Program Policy Unit
Child & Youth Permanency Branch
California Department of Social Services
744 P Street, MS 8-13-78
Sacramento, CA 95814
ILPPolicy@dss.ca.gov