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.

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.

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.

The Virginia Youth Advisory Council

The Virginia Youth Advisory Council provides a forum in which foster care youths can gain information about the foster care system and exchange ideas that will improve foster care.

The purpose of the Council is to develop channels of communication and distribute information to youths in foster care. The Council will strive to motivate other foster care youths to participate in ILP activities and shall provide a platform for foster care youths to be heard. In addition, the Council will be involved in the decision-making process of policies and regulations affecting foster care youths. The Council will strive to:

• Empower youths to have a positive effect in their communities;
• Develop skills necessary for lifelong learning and success in the future;
• Provide an opportunity for youths to network with other youths; and
• Produce newsletters, which provides information about issues that will motivate youths to become self-sufficient in the community and general information relevant to youths in ILP.