This letter describes the changes resulting from SB 720, to encourage the joint placement of infants and their teen parents when both are in foster care. The main changes are the expanded definition of a “whole foster family home” (WFFH). The new definition includes the home of 1) a nonrelated legal guardian when the guardianship is established by the dependency court, not the probate court; 2) ward of a nonrelated legal guardian whose guardianship is established by the dependency court, not the probate court; 3) related guardian’s home under the KinGAP Program for relatives who were previously designated as WFFHs while the child was in foster care. It also clarifies the rate paid to previously designated WFFH KinGAP relatives and the board and care rates. Includes a reminder to counties that when court ordered reunification services are terminated and the minor dependent’s child is no longer under the placement and care of the county welfare and/or probation department, the child is no longer eligible for a Title IV-E payment. In that case, a provider would be entitled to the infant supplement amount only.
For those of you into coding, a listing of new codes is included. [Download]