Calaveras County Child Welfare Services offers the Independent Living Program (ILP) to current and former foster youth. ILP focuses on helping youth gain the basic life skills and information needed to become successful self-sufficient adults. ILP provides mentoring and training to foster care youth who are in foster care during the ages of 15 1/2 to 18. Youth ages 16 and over who are in foster care or were in foster care on or after their 16th birthday are eligible for services up the age of 21. Child Welfare Services administers the Independent Living Program to enable youth to achieve self-sufficiency prior to leaving the foster care system by providing independent living skill assessments, support training, and services. A written transitional independent living plan is designed for each participant to meet their goal of being self-sufficient.
Services available to help young people prepare for adulthood include:
- Independent life skill classes
- Daily living skills
- Education resources
- Assistance with applications for student aid
- Help in getting a job
- Housing resources
- Money management
- Decision making
- Building self-esteem
- Support and advocacy