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  Independent Living (including V-YAC)  
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image of a red square resembling a bullet What is Independent Living?

About the Program (MP3)

ILP (Independent Living Program) assists foster care youths ages 14-21 in developing the skills necessary to make the transition from foster care to independent living. Independent Living services include activities that are based on a written assessment of life skills. Areas of focus include personal development skills such as self-esteem, communication skills, decision-making, conflict resolution and anger management. Examples of independent living skills are career exploration, job skills, money, management, housing, transportation, and legal issues.

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image of a red square resembling a bullet Who Is Eligible?

Foster children are eligible to receive services through ILP at the age of 14 and may continue receiving services until age 21 if they are in the custody or placement responsibility of a local department of social services. Qualifying placements include those in foster homes, residential treatment centers and group homes.

Independent Living services should not be limited to foster care youths that receive the independent living stipend. As appropriate, some type of independent living information or service should be provided to each youth who can benefit from such information or services. Services may even be extended to youths after they have been discharged from foster care, if they meet the age criteria. Age 21 is the cut-off for services.

image of a red square resembling a bullet What are the Services?

Services provided through ILP include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Educational: Assistance in completing high school, general education degree and higher education, including assistance for tuition, admission fees, supplies, equipment, tutoring, etc.
  • Vocational Training: Job training/readiness, job search and placement and other related services to prepare youth to become self-supporting, or that increases performance/functional competency.
  • Daily Living Skills/Aide: Assistance and training on budgeting, housing, money management, career planning, procurement and/or provision of any services or items which facilitate establishing youth in an independent living arrangement; e.g., household goods, supplies, services, insurance, utility turn-on, etc. Daily living skills may be provided by local social services staff, others involved in the youth's care or through negotiation or contract with a resource person or entity.
  • Counseling: Individual and group.
  • Other Services and Assistance: Training, meetings, conferences, retreats, workshops, relating to building competencies that strengthen individual skills and foster successful independent living.
  • Integration/Coordination of Services: Collaborative efforts with other agencies.
  • Outreach Services: To attract eligible youths.

image of a red square resembling a bullet V-YAC (a forum for foster care youth)

V-YAC (Virgina Youth Advisory Council) provides a forum in which foster care youth (ages 15-21) can interact, get information about the foster care system, exchange ideas that will improve the foster care system and develop life skills.

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