Independent Living Services (ILS), which are designed to assist youth in making the transition to self-sufficient adults, are provided for foster youth ages 13 to 17 and young adults formerly in foster care, ages 18 to 23. When appropriate, ILS Specialists work hand-in-hand with the youth’s child welfare case manager to ensure all youth development activities and independent living services are integrated and individualized for each teen in care.
Youth Development Services (ages 13 to 17)
Youth in care complete assessments to determine their individual strengths and needs, and work with their ILS Specialist to develop a Teen/Normalcy Plan and Education Plan. Youth development services include life skills training, educational field trips and conferences on such topics as education, vocation/job readiness, financial literacy, daily living skills, parenting skills, and time management. Youth are also encouraged to participate in a joint transition plan which outlines services available to them upon their 18th birthday. Throughout their teen years, special meetings (“staffings”) and judicial reviews are held to review these plans/ services.
Turning 18 in Foster Care (age 17+)
Prior to turning 18, each youth in foster care will receive a Transitional Services Staffing to develop an individualized plan in partnership with the youth to address:
- Where the youth will live when they turn 18 and how expenses will be paid;
- What services are available to youth when the turn 18; and
- What barriers or needs still exist.
Independent Living Services (ages 18 to 23):
Turning 18 while living in foster care can be daunting. Services are available to assist young adults formerly in foster care to achieve independence and self-sufficiency. These services include:
- Transitional Support Services are short-term services which usually last 90 days and are designed to assist youth in achieving self-sufficiency. Services include but are not limited to financial support, housing, counseling, employment/job training, education counseling/ tutoring; or other identified services. Awards are based on an approved budget for the youth and availability of program funds.
- Aftercare Support Services may include but are not limited to emergency assistance to prevent homelessness, as well as referrals to community agencies and short-term financial support in other emergency situations. Awards are based on an approved budget for the youth and availability of program funds.
- Road-to-Independence Program is an educational program offering monthly financial support to young adults formerly in foster care who attend school full-time and are achieving satisfactory progress. Awards are based on living and education needs and may be up to, but not exceed, the amount of earnings that the student would’ve earned if they worked a 40 hr/week federal minimum wage job. Awards are also based on the youth’s eligibility, an approved budget for the youth and availability of program funds.
