October 17, 2025
Findings from the 2017-18 THP+FC & THP-Plus Annual Report: Need for Increased Access
In October, John Burton Advocates for Youth released the 2017-18 THP+FC & THP-Plus Annual Report, which highlights the achievements and challenges of the state’s transitional housing programs in helping youth in the foster care and juvenile probation systems make a safe, supported transition to adulthood and discussed practice and policy recommendations from these findings.
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August 22, 2025
Academic Case Management: How to Support Youth as College Students
This webinar provided training on how to alter case management for current and former foster youth and homeless youth so that it is tailored for college students and supports a youth’s identity as a student. Featured panelists offered examples of how they utilize this case management model in their housing programs. A new tool was shared on the webinar, moving case managers from asking “how’s school going?” to asking targeted questions at just the right time, building trust, and providing timely reminders, support and referrals to resources.
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April 18, 2025
Unpacking Matriculation for Foster & Homeless Youth: Assessment, Remediation & Recent Changes
This webinar provided an overview of the matriculation process at community colleges & CSUs. Panelists discussed the priority enrollment verification process for homeless youth, how students can avoid being unnecessarily placed in remediation (below-transfer-level courses) during the assessment process, more effective mechanisms for addressing remediation needs, and how state-level changes to assessment and remediation will affect students.
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March 21, 2025
Financial Aid for Homeless & Foster Youth, Part II: After the FAFSA
This web seminar featured Elizabeth Alaniz with Chico State University, Britney Slates with Sierra College, and Simone Tureck with John Burton Advocates for Youth. Panelists walked attendees through the steps from the time a student submits the FAFSA to their first disbursement of financial aid, including the process for verifying their status as foster youth or homeless youth. The training also discussed how to support students in maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress so they don’t lose their financial aid, how to avoid student debt, and how to handle these pitfalls should they occur.
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January 22, 2025
Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the FAFSA for Foster Youth
This web seminar provided step-by-step guidance on how to complete the FAFSA for foster youth as well as tips on what to do after the FAFSA to ensure students get maximum aid awards. Panelists covered each section of the FAFSA and discussed how to help foster youth fill out the application accurately to ensure that they get every dollar to help them succeed in college.
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January 17, 2025
Financial Aid for Homeless & Foster Youth, Part I
This web seminar featured Marisol Ramirez with Pierce College, Tanae McCall with CSU Bakersfield, and Simone Tureck with John Burton Advocates for Youth. Panelists shared information about the application process associated with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), provided a breakdown of what typical financial aid award packages include, and important tips for helping ensure current and former foster youth and homeless youth access maximum aid.
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Exploring Short Program Stays & High Rates of Involuntary Exit: 2016-17 THP+FC & THP-Plus Annual Report
This web seminar shared the findings and practice and policy implications from the 2016-17 THP+FC & THP-Plus Annual Report, which included information on the average length of stay in the programs, rate of involuntary exit, education and employment outcomes, parenting rates, criminal justice involvement and the impact of being homeless.
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Beyond the Safety Net: Preliminary Findings from a Pilot Project to Transform Housing Providers into College Success Programs
This web seminar marked the release of a report sharing the preliminary results from a pilot project led by John Burton Advocates for Youth over 2016-17 to increase the capacity of THP-Plus and THP+FC providers to support current and former foster youth in post-secondary education. JBAY’s Simone Tureck was joined by two individuals that shared about their experience participating in the pilot, Stephany Molina of Edgewood Center for Children & Families and Ashley Rarick of Bill Wilson Center.
Career Technical Education: Short-Term Programs into Living Wage Employment
This web seminar featured Lynell Wiggins, Strong Workforce Technical Assistance Provider with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and Career Technical Education (CTE) Counselor with Pasadena City College. Mr. Wiggins synthesized some of the systemic changes occurring within the state’s community college system impacting CTE, and shared with attendees several new tools to assist youth in navigating the range of CTE options and determining their education and career path.
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Financial Aid & Foster Youth, Part II: After the FAFSA
This web seminar featured Yvonne Borrego with UC San Diego, Ernesto Nery with Merritt College and Simone Tureck with John Burton Advocates for Youth. Attendees learned about all of the steps that take place after the FAFSA is submitted, as well as how to support youth in maintaining their financial aid, specifically discussing Satisfactory Academic Progress and preventing and managing student debt.
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March 9, 2025
On-Campus Support & Resources for Foster Youth in College
This web seminar featured Deborah Pruitt with John Burton Advocates for Youth, Jessica Smith, the Statewide FYSI Liaison with the Foundation for California Community Colleges; Kalynda Webber McLean, Dean of Student Success at Pierce College; and Kizzy Lopez, the Renaissance Scholars Program with CSU Fresno. Attendees learned about the support and resources available to current and former foster youth on college campuses, including the various types of campus support programs, priority enrollment, student housing, tutoring, counseling and mentoring.
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February 23, 2025
Let’s Talk THP-Plus Rates: Regional Housing Costs & Serving Parenting Youth
This web seminar featured Simone Tureck with John Burton Advocates for Youth, Aurora Ibarra with the Fresno Housing Authority, Sachiko Iwata with Santa Clara County Social Services Agency, and Laura Foster with Bill Wilson Center. To promote the full utilization of THP-Plus, John Burton Advocates for Youth proposed a series of strategies, including increasing the rate paid to THP-Plus providers, which in many counties has not kept pace with the growth in housing costs, particularly in the midst of the state’s housing crisis. This webinar outlined two approaches to a rate increase: 1) increasing the rate to reflect the cost of housing in each county, as measured by HUD’s Fair Market Rent; and 2) establishing a higher rate for youth who are custodial parents to reflect the increased costs associated with housing and providing supportive services to parenting youth.
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February 9, 2025
How to Help Foster Youth Avoid the Remediation Trap & Achieve College Success
This web seminar featured Jessica Petrass with John Burton Advocates for Youth, Dr. Katie Hern with Chabot College and the California Acceleration Project, and Ken Sorey with Educational Results Partnership. Attendees learned about the college matriculation process, how to assist youth with avoiding unnecessary placement in remediation, and some promising practices for addressing remediation needs. This was the fourth webinar in a 7-part series intended to improve THP-Plus and THP+FC providers’ capacity to support current and prospective college students in their programs.
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January 12, 2025
Beyond Case Management: The Essentials of Academic Coaching
This web seminar featured Christina Nicholson with Whole Person Learning, Shanina Shumate with Beyond Emancipation and Simone Tureck with John Burton Advocates for Youth. Attendees learned about the essential case management components for working with youth attending college. This was the third webinar in a 7-part series intended to improve THP-Plus and THP+FC providers’ capacity to support current and prospective college students in their programs.
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November 11, 2025
Collaboratives Supporting Foster Youth to & through College
This web seminar featured Sara Goldware with Beyond Emancipation, Marie Hughes with Family Care Network, and Gabrielle Ridley with Orange Coast College. They presented about existing collaboratives focused on improving post-secondary education accessibility, opportunity and outcomes for current and former foster youth in their respective communities, Alameda County, San Luis Obispo County and Orange County. This was the second webinar in a 7-part series intended to improve THP-Plus and THP+FC providers’ capacity to support current and prospective college students in their programs.
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October 26, 2025
2015-16 THP-Plus & THP+FC Annual Report & Legislative Wrap-Up
This web seminar shared the findings and practice and policy recommendations from the FY 2015-16 THP-Plus & THP+FC Annual Report, and also provided an overview of legislation that was enacted over the 2015-16 legislative session related to transition-age youth and child welfare services.
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October 13, 2025
Financial Aid & Foster Youth, Part 1: Completing the FAFSA
This web seminar featured Marisol Ramirez, Financial Aid Technician and Guardian Scholars Coordinator at Pierce College and Simone Tureck of the John Burton Foundation. The goal of this web seminar was to familiarize attendees with the various types of financial aid current and former foster youth may be eligible for, share what typical award packages consist of, and instruct attendees on how to assist current and former foster youth with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This was the first webinar in a 7-part series intended to improve THP-Plus and THP+FC providers’ capacity to support current and prospective college students in their programs.
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July 14, 2025
Info Session: THP-Plus/THP+FC Post-Secondary Education Training Series
The John Burton Foundation shared information about the THP-Plus/THP+FC Post-Secondary Education Training Series, a new opportunity for providers to enhance their capacity to support current and prospective college students in their programs. Also discussed were county policies on accepting out-of-county youth in their THP-Plus programs, and timely state policy developments, including the 2016-17 state budget.
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May 12, 2025
Non-Minor Dependents & CalFresh: Questions Answered
This web seminar featured Simone Tureck of the John Burton Foundation, Shawn Mainville of the California Department of Social Services, and Liz Aleman of East Bay Children’s Law Offices. The goal of this web seminar was to help the child welfare community understand how to support non-minor dependents in applying for CalFresh benefits, including how determine income placement by placement, limitations on student eligibility, application process, and more.
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March 9, 2025
Getting What is Yours: Ensuring Foster Youth and Caregivers Access to the Earned Income Tax Credit
The John Burton Foundation was joined by John Sciamanna of the Child Welfare League of America to present all the need-to-know information about the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) as a resource for caregivers raising foster children and kin, and for non-minors currently or formerly in the child welfare system who are custodial parents. JBF’s Simone Tureck shared information about the brand new Cal EITC, in addition to an overview of current state legislation and budget proposals being sponsored by JBF.
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March 2, 2025
What Did We Miss: A Policy Agenda to Improve Foster Care for Young Adults
In this training, The John Burton Foundation together with the National Center for Youth Law, Children’s Law Center and Children’s Advocacy Institute hosted a web seminar to focus on three areas where additional effort is needed to serve older-youth in foster care and provide information about policy initiatives to address these area: Improving post-secondary education outcomes, preventing unplanned pregnancy and improving support for young families in foster care.
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January 14th, 2016
Financial Aid for Foster Youth
In this Web Seminar, Jocelyn Vila and Neyla Parada the various options of financial aid available to foster youth, the amount that each financial aid grant awards, and eligibility criteria. The Web Seminar answers a variety of questions that may arise during the open enrollment period for federal and state financial aid.
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November 12, 2025
2014-2015 THP-Plus and THP+FC Annual Report Findings
In this training, Amy Lemley unveils the findings of the 2014-15 THP-Plus and THP+FC annual report. This web seminar provides an overview of the newly published report and offers detailed snapshots, data and analysis of both programs.
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October 20, 2025
AB 2668: Supporting Parenting Foster Youth by Providing Emotional and Financial Support
The John Burton Foundation and the Children’s Law Center co-hosted a web seminar to explain the new law that provides parenting Non-Minor Dependents living in a Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) an additional $200 supplement.
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September 10, 2025
How do we Know that THP+FC Works?: Unveiling the THP+FC Participant Tracking System
Cecilia Tran and Amy Lemley unveil the John Burton Foundation’s new THP+FC Participant Tracking System, a new database tracking demographic and outcome data for THP+FC participants. This new system is modeled after the THP-Plus PTS developed with consultation from CDSS, counties and providers to track the same information for THP-Plus participants. The web seminar discusses the functions of the system and how providers and counties can utilize this database to improve programs, strengthen advocacy efforts, support fundraising efforts and boosting staff morale.
August 18, 2025
Permanent Affordable Housing for TAY
On this call, JBF’s housing expert Debbie Raucher provided an overview of permanent, affordable housing options for Transition-Age Youth and walked providers through the ways in which they could best assist their program participants in accessing these long-term housing units. The highlight topic was followed by brief updates on the THP+FC workgroup, new information about the THP-Plus Realignment report and a status report on the development of the THP+FC Participant Tracking System.
July 9, 2025
Topics: CA Child Welfare Legislation and Budget Highlights, New THP+FC numbers and Save the Date for the 2015 THP-Plus and THP+FC Institute
This conference call includes an overview of the 2015-16 California Budget as it pertains to child welfare budget proposals as well as policy updates on child welfare bills moving forward that are likely to impact THP-Plus and THP+FC participants. Amy Lemley provides updates on the latest THP+FC numbers from UC Berkeley’s CA Child Welfare Indicators Projects. Lastly, we announce the 2015 THP-Plus and THP+FC Institute including a request for workshop proposals and also introduce the idea of a potential JBF project to improve higher education outcomes for THP-Plus and THP+FC participants.
May 14, 2025
Topics: Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month, Realignment Financial Report, Status of the THP-Plus Augmentation Budget Request and Upcoming Launch of the THP+FC Participant Tracking System
The conference call includes information from Becky Griesse of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancies on providing foster youth with accurate information on reproductive health care services and information. She offers guidance on several key online resources to support case managers. Amy Lemley provides policy updates on the status of the request to augment the THP-Plus budget by $30 million and announces the THP+FC Participant Tracking System, which is slated to be completed by the end of summer 2015. Also discussed, is the recently released Realignment Financial report from the Department of Social Services which lists the amount claimed by each county for THP-Plus.
April 9, 2025
Property Procurement and Management Training for THP-Plus and THP+FC Providers
This training aims to provide THP-Plus and THP+FC providers with insights from long-time providers on procuring property, property management, tenancy training and the benefits and challenges of different leasing structures. The presenters reflect the experiences of both THP-Plus and THP+FC providers from different regions in California.
March 12, 2025
Understanding Post-Secondary Education Options for Foster Youth and Methods to to Motivate and Inspire Higher Education Attainment (Part 2 of 2 Higher Ed Series)
CA College Pathways Director Debbie Raucher and a foster youth ambassador discuss the resources available to foster youth striving to enter and complete a degree in higher education.
February 12, 2025
Understanding Post-Secondary Education Options for Foster Youth and Methods to to Motivate and Inspire Higher Education Attainment (Part 1 of 2 Higher Ed Series)
CA College Pathways Director Debbie Raucher and a foster youth ambassador discuss the resources available to foster youth striving to enter and complete a degree in higher education.
December 11, 2024
Topics: Update on SB 1252 Implementation, THP+FC Licensing and the CalYOUTH Study
Policy Director Amy Lemley discusses the changes to THP-Plus time limits with the passage SB 1252, which gives counties the ability to opt into extending THP-Plus from 24 months to 36 months for participants if they are enrolled in a post-secondary institution. She also provides new THP+FC licensing information that came from the DSS THP+FC work group and offers highlights from Mark Courtney’s latest report on 17-year old foster youth in California.
November 13, 2025
Serving Youth with Serious Mental Health Needs in THP-Plus and THP+FC Program
Foster youth are more likely to experience long-term mental health needs than non-foster peers. Unfortunately, many programs lack the resources and staff to help assist these high-need young people in their programs. This training offers innovative ways in which some programs are currently integrating mental health services into their programs and leveraging EPSDT funding in order to so.
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October 9, 2025
Addressing Substance Use in THP-Plus and THP+FC Program
This training discusses the youth-centered policies and strategies that several THP-Plus and THP+FC programs employ when serving youth participants using or abusing substances. Jeannie Little, Executive Director, of the Harm Reduction Therapy Center sets the framework for the conversation by detailing the theoretical and practical purposes of operating from a harm reduction lens.
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Sample Safety Plan Template and the Sample Emergency Plan Template
September 11, 2025
What were the Big Developments in THP-Plus and THP+FC in 2013-2014?
This conference call recapped the trends and changes that both programs experienced between FY 2013-2014. The conversation explores the level of growth seen in THP+FC’s second year of implementation and overall changes in demographics seen in both programs, primarily with regards to older youth and pregnant/parenting youth participants.
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Download the 2013-2014 Annual Report
July 10, 2025
Topic: THP-Plus and THP+FC data after one year of implementation
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June 12, 2025
Topic: Assisting undocumented children in the child welfare system
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May 22, 2025
Topic: California’s pregnant and parenting foster youth
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April 10, 2025
Topics: THP-Plus to Age 26, State Rate and Data on Extended Care
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February 13, 2025
Topic: Medi-Cal extension to 26 for former foster youth
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January 9, 2025
Topics: New THP+FC placement data, THP-Plus Capacity Chart
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November 14, 2025
Topic: Maintaining THP-Plus capacity in the face of reduced referrals
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September 12, 2025
Topic: THP-Plus under 2011 Realignment - how to determined county baseline service levels
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Download materials:
All County Letter 12-44, County Fiscal Letter 11/12-18
July 11, 2025
Practice discussion: roommates in THP+FC
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June 13, 2025
Practice discussion: using a graduated rent model with added savings plan in THP+FC
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May 9, 2025
Topics: 1) the role of the attorney in THP+FC; 2) re-entry into extended foster care
Download materials:
1) re-entry handout; 2) SOC 163 (Voluntary Re-entry Agreement); 3) 388(e) petition forms JV 466 & JV 468; 4) CWDA re-entry point-of-contacts
April 11, 2025
Practice discussion: using a graduated rent model in THP+FC
March 14, 2025
Practice discussion: paying rent in THP+FC
January 10, 2025
Practice discussion: THP+FC Plan of Operation section “contract between participant and provider”
December 13, 2024
Practice discussion: THP+FC Plan of Operation section “grounds for termination”
October 10, 2025
THP-Plus & THP+FC: A Report on 12 Months of Change & Growth
August 28, 2025
How 2011 Realignment Changes the Funding, Oversight and Evolution of the Child Welfare System in California
March 27, 2025
Getting the Most Out of the THP-Plus Participant Tracking System
February 13, 2025
Child Welfare and Children’s Mental Health Realignment: What Has Changed?
November 28, 2025
Annual Report and Advocacy for THP-Plus: Is Your Program Ready for Realignment?
January 25, 2025
Informational Webinar—Child Welfare Realignment: Just the Facts
December 7, 2024
What to Expect on January 2012: Learning about Extended Foster Care from THP-Plus
January 31, 2025
THP-Plus Policy & Budget Update
September 8, 2025
2009-10 THP-Plus Annual Report & Recent Amendments to AB 12
May 28, 2025
THP-Plus in the FY 10-11 May Revise
January 11, 2025
THP-Plus in the Governor’s Proposed Budget
November 19, 2025
Managing the Cut to THP-Plus: Getting the Most Out of Your Allocation
November 2, 2025
Family Unification Program: An Opportunity for New Federal Investment
October 26, 2025
Release of the THP-Plus Annual Report & Implementation Status of Federal Fostering Connections Legislation in California
September 2, 2025
Just the Facts: Using Data to Better Meet the Needs of Former Foster Youth in California’s THP-Plus Program
In the summer of 2009, the Project published a statewide analysis on the needs of youth entering the THP-Plus program. This web seminar presented the major findings from the analysis and discussed its major implications in delivering high quality services to former foster youth.
May 14, 2025
Statewide THP-Plus Data Collection and Outcomes:
Results from the First Year California Connected by 25 Initiative
April 8, 2025
THP-Plus Participant Tracking System Reporting Functions
The John Burton Foundation presented an online training on the reporting function of the web-based THP-Plus Participant Tracking System, which covered producing both administrative and participant reports.
March 19, 2025
Participant Rights in THP-Plus: Developing a Meaningful Grievance Policy
The Project conducted a training on law and regulation requiring a grievance policy in THP-Plus. Panelists included Toby Eastman of Larkin Street Youth Services and Emily Gay of First Place for Youth
October 30, 2025
Effective Management in THP-Plus: Provider Invoicing Methods and State Claiming
The Project conducted a training at the annual CWDA conference, focused on selecting a provider invoicing method to increase effective county oversight of THP-Plus. The training also covered the state claiming process.
September 9, 2025
Webinar on the THP-Plus Letter of Intent
The John Burton Foundation presented a free web-based training on the THP-Plus Letter of Intent (LOI). All counties planning to implement THP-Plus in Fiscal Year 2009-10 must submit an LOI to the California Department of Social Services this fall.
March 20, 2025
Webinar on County Administration
The Project presented a free Webinar on the role of the county in THP-Plus. Guest presenters included Lynette Harrison from Santa Clara County and John Murray from San Francisco County.
November 29 & December 5, 2024
Webinar on the THP-Plus Participant Tracking System
The John Burton Foundation presented an online training (repeated twice) on the new, free, web-based THP-Plus Participant Tracking System. Topics covered included the purpose of the tracking system and a detailed walk-through of the data entry screens and process.
October 18, 2025
THP-Plus Quarterly Training
The Project conducted a training at the California Department of Social
Services for county THP-Plus representatives, Independent Living
Coordinators, and current THP-Plus providers.
September 24, 2025
THP-Plus Implementation for Service Providers
The Project conducted a training on the THP-Plus implementation process for a members of the California Alliance of Child and Family Services.
August 7, 2025
The County Role in THP-Plus
The Project conducted a training at the Interdependent Living Program Institute, focused on the county role in THP-Plus.
April 4, 2025
The Host Family Model in THP-Plus
The Project hosted a web seminar on April 4 focused on The Host Family Model in THP-Plus.
December 15, 2024
THP-Plus Implementation
The Project conducted a training on the THP-Plus implementation process at Beyond the Bench.