Independent Living Program - ILP
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What is I.L.P.?
Life after foster care can be challenging and confusing. The Department’s Independent Living Program (ILP) helps youth develop knowledge, skills, and connections to make a successful transition to living on their own.
Overview of Services for Youth in Transition from Foster Care
The Department of Human Services (DHS), Social Services Division, Child Welfare Services Branch (CWSB), provides services, through our independent living program (ILP), to assist and support foster youth, age 12-18 years, under DHS placement responsibility due to abuse and neglect and former foster youth, 18-21 years of age, with their transition from foster care to adult self-sufficiency.
The Department’s ILP uses both State and Federal funds in accordance with Public Law 106-169, Sec. 477 - John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.
Purchase of Services (POS) Contracts for ILP Services
CWSB has POS contracts statewide to provide services and support to help the youth develop skills and knowledge, make connections with resources and access transitional living arrangements. Services provided for youth include individualized assessment and service planning based on the needs, strengths and goals of the individual.
For youth 12-15 years of age, the focus is on age and developmentally appropriate skills provided primarily through group process with a focus on communication, self-identity, peer pressure and decision-making.
For youth 16- 21 years of age, ILP services are provided in individual and group sessions. The focus is on skills that include assisting the youth with obtaining a high school diploma, career exploration, vocational training, job placement and retention, budgeting and financial management skills, substance abuse prevention, preventive health activities and making connections with community resources such as employment programs, Department of Health (prevention programs), housing (Section 8) and financial assistance. The ILP POS programs also support transitional living apartments and providers are authorized to spend up to 10% of the total contract on housing support for former foster youth
The current ILP POS providers and contact number are:
Oahu – Hale Kipa – 589-1829 x 202 or 205
Hawai'i – Salvation Army Family Intervention Services
Hilo - 959-5855 ext. 12
Kona - 323-8192
Maui, Molokai, Lanai – Maui Youth & Family Services—579-8414
Kauai – Child & Family Service—245-5914
Services available to youth after foster care
Youth who were formerly in foster care with DHS may be eligible for the following services:
- Higher Education Board allowance of $529 per month until age 22, to help meet living expenses while attending an accredited academic or vocational institution of higher learning. Eligibility requirements include application within one year of completing high school, application for other scholarships or financial aid, and documentation of attendance and grades.
- Education and Training Voucher (ETV): Federal guidelines allow up to $5,000 per year toward the cost of attendance at an accredited institution of higher learning. The amount of an individual award depends on the financial need and the amount of Federal funding available. The usual award amount is approximately $2,000. Application/eligibility requirements include: documentation of financial need; independent living transition plan; documentation of progress in the program, usually GPA of 2.0 or equivalent. Youth must provide documentation that the ETV was used for the purpose stated in the application. If the youth is receiving ETV on his/her 21st birthday, he or she may continue to be eligible until age 23.
2007 ETV Applications and Awards have been completed. 2008 Applications will be available sometime after May 2008. Check with your social worker.
- Youth Circles: Facilitated ‘Ohana conferencing (family mediation services), which began in April 2004, is available for youth to give the youth a voice in planning for their future, to bring together important people and services to support the youth to develop a transitional plan. A youth may have more than one youth circle, which may be held before and after the youth leaves foster care.
For more information on 'Ohana conferences, Youth Circles and FamilyConnections please visit the EPIC/'Ohana website at: http://epicohana.info/content/blogcategory/20/30/
- Medical Coverage: After leaving foster care, the youth are eligible to receive individual medical coverage in accordance with the MedQuest (MQD) administrative rules. CWSB staff and ILP providers assist the youth in completing a new application for continued medical coverage prior to the youth leaving foster care.
DHS ALSO PROMOTES AND SUPPORTS:
Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition (HFYC): HFYC is a youth led and run organization providing a voice for youth currently and formerly in foster care. This organization is the youth advisory board for CWSB. Their active components include youth helping youth (networking and support), developing youth leadership, youth advocacy, testifying at Legislature, and youth advisors to “the system.” DHS provides funding for an Executive Director as well as funds and programmatic support for Coalition activities, including board meetings, conferences and other activities designed to facilitate the development of the youth. The HFYC can be reached by email at hawaiiyouth@yahoo.com. Visit HFYC website at http://www.hawaiiyouth.net
Read the latest HFYC Newsletter
Annual Youth Conference: Held during the March spring break with statewide participation of current foster youth and former foster youth. Conferences focus on transition issues and skills. The Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition has taken the lead in designing and facilitating this conference with DHS financial and staff support.
Ready, Set, Succeed: Independent Living Conference for foster/former foster youth on Saturday, April 28, 2007. Contact your social worker or the Hawaii Foster Youth Coalition if you are interested in attending.
Annual Graduates Luncheon at historic Washington Place for foster youth who have successfully completed high school. This event, attended by graduating foster youth, their teachers and families, is an important milestone and recognition for the youth, and encourages higher education.
