The Independent Living Program (ILP) is a federally funded program that is a permanent part of the foster care system, and is administered through the Division of Families and Children Services.

Who is ILP for? 

ILP is available for every youth in the agency’s custody, ages 14—21.

What is the Purpose of the ILP? 

The Independent Living Program was established to assist young people in setting goals and getting ready to move out on their own. The ILP seeks to improve the educational, social and personal outlook of all youth in DFCS custody, sixteen and above, and to work towards youth becoming self sufficient adults in the future. 

Who are the People Involved in the ILP? 

“People” are the key to the success of the Independent Living Program. Each person involved has a significant role in ensuring that our youth gain the skills and knowledge needed to function in society. Some of the key people involved include:

• youth in placement 
• agency staff -foster parents 
• the ILP coordinator 
• birth parents, and 
• other community resources.

How Can Youth Get Involved in ILP? 

The agency case manager usually provides the initial referral of the youth to the ILP Coordinator within 30 days of the youth turning 14 years old. The initial referral process provides valuable information to the ILP Coordinator. The Case Manager and the foster parent will provide on-going information that might impact the independent living plan of the youth. The support and active participation of both the foster parent and the youth’s Case Manager are essential in ensuring the participation of the youth in the program. 

The active participation of youth in the development of their Written Transitional Living Plans (WTLP), their active participation in the development of short term goals, and their motivation and investment in the outcome, increase their chances for successful transition into adulthood after leaving foster care. The WTLP builds on the strengths of youth in care and identifies needs that impact their skill development. 

What Type Services and Activities Does ILP Provide? 

A wide range of services and activities are made available to youth through the ILP. Surveys and personal assessment instruments are provided to help youth pinpoint tasks and knowledge regarding daily living skills they already possess and identifies those areas that require further development. Throughout the year, youth will be invited to attend a variety of activities. These may include:

• Meetings and Mini-Conferences focusing on such topics as:
  • Planning for College/Technical School 
  • Money Management 
  • Substance Abuse 
  • Locating and Maintaining Housing 
  • How to Find and Keep a Job 
  • Obtaining Proper identification and Documents 
  • Health Education 
  • Problem Solving Skills 
  • Leisure Time Activities
• Awards Banquets for ILP Youth 
• Summer Youth Conference (overnight) 
• Visits on College Campuses 
• Individual Sessions to Develop Personal Goals 
• Financial Aid Workshops 
• On-going Services
  • Educational (remedial education /tutoring, vocational training) 
  • Daily living skills (budgeting, securing and maintaining housing, nutrition, laundry) 
  • Employment preparation (job seeking/job retention skills, collaboration with Job Corp, JTPA, Apprenticeship) 
  • Health maintenance (safety/first aid, sexuality, health education/prevention) 
  • Counseling (individual, group, peer support, family) 
  • Parenting skills (pre-natal, child care, child development, discipline)

What Can Foster Parents do To Support the Success of the ILP? 

Foster parents play a major role on the Independent Living team, providing youth with appropriate adult role modeling behavior and actively teaching daily living skills. By appropriately handling problems and issues relating to your spouse, friends or relatives, and making daily decisions, the foster parent demonstrates to the youth a real life example of the successful application of life skills. Foster parents also provide youth with hands on experience in learning practical skills such as doing the laundry, cleaning house, grocery shopping, budgeting, etc. Most importantly, however, the foster parent can remain as a support system for youth who transition from foster care, but need a home to return to for visits and moral support. 

How Can the Community Assist With the ILP? 

The community at large can be a resource for the Independent Living Program in a variety of ways. Other service related agencies can provide support and services to youth; businesses can help provide jobs and job training; donations to conferences and group meetings can be made; speakers, trainers can volunteer to work with youth; and mentors from the community can be trained to provide support and encouragement.

What is the Birth Parent’s Role in the ILP? 

Birth parents are a key ingredient in the successful transition of youth from adolescence to young adulthood. Although, in many instances birth parents are no longer involved with youth who have grown up in foster care, there are situations where birth parents do maintain contact. Birth parents can encourage youth do well and “give permission” for the youth to achieve goals. They also provide an on-going “safety net” should their plans for emancipation and independence fall short. Youth contact with birth parents also help to bring clarity to the issues surrounding their initial placement in care, and remove some of the fantasy and denial associated with separation. 

What is the Role of the ILP Coordinator (ILC)? 

The ILP Coordinator’s role is to reach, motivate, lead and locate resources for youth ages 14-21 in DFCS custody and to enable them to make a successful transition to post-foster care living. The approaches taken to accomplish this may differ based on the demographics of the ILC’s assigned area. Area Field Coordinators typically serve an area that includes one or more clusters of counties, with youth scattered along a wide geographical area. Urban Area Coordinators usually are assigned to one large geographic area. Although the goals for each remain the same, the strategies used to accomplish the goals of the Independent Living Program may differ.

Contact your local Independent Living Coordinator for information regarding the ILP in your area. As a foster parent, if you are providing care for youth who are 14 and over, you will provide an invaluable service by directing and encouraging their involvement in the Independent Living Program.

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