In 2017, California began implementation of the Continuum of Care Reform (CCR) to revamp the state’s foster care rate-setting system to better support a continuum of programs, services, and placements with the goal of foster youth growing up in family settings.
At its core, CCR seeks to improve the quality of the foster care system by eliminating long-term group care utilization and increasing placements in family settings. Two fundamental principles underlying CCR are that: (1) children should not need to change placements to get the services, and supports they need, and (2) congregate care should only be used as a short-term intervention to resolve emotional, behavioral, and mental health issues that prevent foster youth from living safely in a family setting.
Approximately 91% of California youth living in congregate care settings today are age 12 or older, and 72% are age 15 or older. Of the Shasta County foster youth who reside in group homes, 35% of them have lived there for a year or more. Current monthly group home placement rates are up to $10,810 per youth and are expected to increase to $12,498.
As a sole source provider in Northern California, Lilliput Children’s Services has provided intensive family finding services for children entering the foster care system in Sacramento County since 2009. In 2016 they completed a record-setting 760 adoptions for children in foster care, more than any other private adoption agency in California. Lilliput, pursuant to this agreement, will recruit, retain and support relative placements and move children from congregate care to family-based settings with caregivers who are committed to offering permanency to the foster youth.
Adoptive families often need support and services after adoption to help them deal with a wide range of issues. Lilliput will provide post adoption support services will be provided to families in Shasta County to include support groups, telephone support services, and referrals for therapy, respite, and education support.
The agreement also authorizes the Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) Director, or any HHSA Branch Director designated by the HHSA Director, to approve, in writing and in advance, budget line item shifts provided that the line item shift does not exceed 10 percent of any Budget Category during the entire term of this agreement and provided further that the line item shift does not increase the maximum compensation.