Foster Care

Fixing Medi-Cal Aid Codes for Former Foster Youth

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DHCS issued instructions to the counties to facilitate the appropriate Medi-Cal coverage of former foster youth through aid code 4M.  Former foster youth are entitled to receive Medi-Cal through the age of 26.  The current CalHEERS programming uses MAGI rules, resulting in some eligible former foster youth being assigned other aid codes or not at all.

The state is extracting data for the counties on affected former foster youth who should be assigned aid code 4M.  Counties must use available information to verify former foster youth status, and then immediately enroll eligible individuals into the proper aid code and issue a NOA.

This letter applies to those currently receiving Medi-Cal with a different, non-cash aid linkage aid code, and those without an aid code but with eligibility for APTCs.  The state will issue a separate letter for those former foster youth enrolled in a qualified health plan through Covered California.  DHCS ACWDL 15-29 (9/16/15).

Extension of CalWORKs eligibility to former foster youth

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AB 12 (2010) created CalWORKs eligibility for certain people who were previously in foster care. The program is called the non-minor dependents program. In general, people who were previously in foster care are entitled to extended CalWORKs eligibility if they are completing high school or are in a program leading to a high school equivalent degree, enrolled at least half time in college or vocational education, participating in a program to remove barriers to employment, employed at least 80 hours per week or disabled. CDSS issued regulations implementing the non-minor dependents program and summarized the changes in the regulation package. ACIN I-01-15 (1/28/15).

Foster child caseworker visit rule changes codified

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Senate Bill 382, which took effect in January 2014, changed requirements for monthly caseworker visits with foster children. The provisions of the bill are now part of amendments to Welf. & Inst. Code Section 16516.5 and 16516.6. In accordance with those sections, no more than two consecutive monthly visits can be held outside the foster child’s residence, the caseworker/social worker/probation officer must advise the foster child that she has the right to request that the private discussion occur outside the group home or foster home, and if the visit does not occur at the child’s residence, the caseworker must document the location of the visit in the case file and court report, along with the reason the visit did not take place at the child’s residence.  ACL 14-50.

Eligibility criteria and instructions to counties on Approved Relative Caregiver program

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Relative caregivers of foster children who are not eligible for federal foster care payments may be eligible for an equivalent payment through the Approved Relative Caregiver (ARC) program if their counties elect to participate in the program.  While the households of relative caregivers might be eligible for CalWORKs benefits for non-federally eligible foster children, those payments are lower than the federal foster care payment rate.  This letter explains the eligibility requirements for the children and caregivers and instructs the counties on the requirements of the program and how to opt in or out, in accordance with Welf. & Inst. Code §11461.3.  ACL 14-89.

New instructions on Medi-Cal enrollment for former foster care children

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DHCS issued a letter outlining the handling of former foster care youth in the Mandatory Coverage Group (MCG) and Optional Coverage Group (OCG) for Medi-Cal applications and enrollment.  Applicants in these categories are supposed to be provided with a simplified eligibility determination and enrollment process through the use of self-attestation.  Instructions, frequently asked questions, and the application form are included with the letter.

DHCS defines MCG as those youth who were receiving Medi-Cal in foster care under the responsibility of any state of tribe on their 18th birthday or a later age.  OCG includes youth that were not receiving Medi-Cal benefits while in foster care on their 18th birthday and are between ages 18-21.  DHCS ACWDL 14-41.