Goal
The Independent Living Program (ILP) provides services designed to assist eligible youth to successfully make the transition from foster care to independent living.
About the Program
The primary focus of the Independent Living Program is to enable foster youth to achieve self-sufficiency prior to leaving the foster care system. To assist in meeting this goal, each participating youth will be provided with independent living skills assessments, training, services, and a written transitional independent living plan.
Eligibility
Youth age 16 and older who are in foster care, or have been in foster care after their 16th birthday, are eligible for services up to the age of 21.
Services Provided
- Transitional Independent Living Plan
- Education Planning
- Career Planning
- Resumes
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- Assistance in obtaining birth certificate, social security card, and identification card
- Workshops
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ILP Classes
ILP classes are offered through the Department of Social Services and the Columbia College ILP program. Topics include the following:
- Utilizing resources
- Solving problems
- Maintaining healthy relationships
- Making safe and responsible decisions
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- Finding and keeping a job
- Choosing a college or vocational program
- Finding a place to live after foster care placement
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Incentives
Foster youth will have the opportunity to earn cash incentives and household items. This incentive program may vary from year-to-year depending on the budget and number of participants.
Aftercare
The ILP Aftercare Program provides services to youth, ages 18-21 years, who are no longer dependents / wards of the court. This program is able to assist youth with housing, employment, educational, medical, and emergency needs including financial assistance. Available funding for this program is limited and fluctuates from year to year.
More Information
For more information on the Tuolumne County Independent Living Program for foster youth, and/or the Aftercare Program for emancipated foster youth, please call 209-533-5717
