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1. What is the Independent Living Program?

The Independent Living Program (ILP) is a program designed to enable eligible youth to achieve self-sufficiency prior to leaving the foster care support system. ILP provides living skills assessments, training, case management, and services for each participating youth to assist in achieving this goal.

2. Who is eligible for the Independent Living Program?

ILP services are available to youth who were/are in foster care at any time between their 16th to their 21st birthday. Tuolumne County allows youth in foster care to begin ILP participation at age 15 ½, however will are not eligible for financial incentives until age 16.

3. What services does the Independent Living Program offer?

ILP offered a variety of services to assist youth in their transition to independent living. Services include daily living skills classes, life skills assessments, assistance in obtaining needed documents, employment and education support, housing assistance, and aftercare support services.

4. Where can I get more information about the Tuolumne County Independent Living Program?

Contact the Tuolumne County ILP Coordinator, Erin Gandolfo-Brune, at (209) 533-5773 or egandolfo@co.tuolumne.ca.us.

5. I am a former foster youth. Am I still eligible for services from the Independent Living Program?

Aftercare services are available to the following youth up to their 21st birthday:
• Youth who were in foster care after their 16th birthday and whose dependency/wardship was terminated and/or CWS or Probation case has been closed.
• Youth who were in foster care or adjudicated a ward of the court or court ordered dependency after their 16th birthday and are no longer in foster care because they have been reunited with their families and are receiving Family Maintenance programs services.
• Youth who were in a legal guardianship (established after their 8th birthday) and the guardianship was dissolved by the guardian or terminated the court.
• Youth who leave foster care or legal guardianship to live independently following emancipation or reaching age of majority.

The ILP Aftercare Program continues to offer support and assistance to youth who have left the foster care system to help them make the transition into independent living.

6. Where do I find more information about the HOPE House?

Contact Michelle Clark at (209) 533-5774 or by email at mclark@co.tuolumne.ca.us.

7. Can the Independent Living Program help me pay my bills?

Services such as, housing costs, transportation costs, work required costs, educational/job-planning costs, health services costs, childcare costs, and educational/counseling assistance costs are offered. Tuolumne County will provide youth, ages 18 to 21, with Aftercare services contingent upon individual circumstances, number of participants, as well as availability of funding.

8. How do I apply for financial aid and the Chafee Grant?

Click on these links to access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the Chafee Grant online application. If you need help completing these applications, contact the ILP office at 533-5773.

9. Do participants earn money for attending ILP events?

YES! Eligible youth receive $25 per ILP event attended. Youth receive their total incentive payments in July of each year at which time it is deposited into their ILP savings account.

10. What is Extended Foster Care (AB12)?

Effective January 1, 2012, the California Fostering Connections to Success Act, also known as Assembly Bill 12 (AB12), gives eligible foster youth in California the option to remain in foster care and receive support services until age 21. Youth must satisfy one of the following requirements while participating in the Extended Foster Care Program:
• Be enrolled in high school or equivalent
• Be enrolled in college/vocational school
• Work at least 80 hours/month
• Participate in a program/activity that helps find a job or removes barriers to employment
• Unable to do one of the above because of a medical or mental health condition

For more information about the Extended Foster Care Program, please contact Tuolumne County Child Welfare Services at (209) 533-5717.