AB 12 Summary - California Fostering Connections to Success Act

• Extends foster care eligibility to nonminor dependents (ages 18-21) who participate in approved educational, vocational, or employment activities, or have medical conditions preventing such participation, effective January 1, 2012.

• Expands juvenile court jurisdiction to allow courts to maintain oversight of current and former dependent children and wards until age 21, and permits nonminors who exited care at age 18+ to petition for resumed dependency jurisdiction before age 21.

• Creates supervised independent living placements as an approved foster care option for nonminor dependents and establishes THP-Plus Foster Care settings offering housing and supportive services to eligible youth ages 18-21.

• Establishes two Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payment (Kin-GAP) programs: one state-funded program and one federally-funded program to provide ongoing financial assistance to relative guardians of children and nonminor dependents.

• Requires revised health and safety standards for foster family homes and community care facilities serving nonminor dependents that recognize their status as legal adults while ensuring appropriate supervision for transition to independent living.