 |
|||||||
|
 |
 |
Independent Living Program
Teens who are in care can have the experience of their services abruptly being terminated at the age of eighteen. A sudden shift from being a dependent to an independent status overnight is a frightening experience.
These youth are not prepared to take care of themselves and are, as a result, homeless. They are forced into the adult world with a few coping skills, no community support, no means of financial support, and ill equipped to cope with their new responsibilities.
Independent Living is an apartment placement program for foster youth. An apartment setting is located for each youth in an area that is accessible to school, employment and the youth's support system.
Our objectives for Independent Living are:
| • | To provide foster youth with the knowledge, information, and the life skills needed to function within society |
| • | To provide a "real life" living experience by placing the youth in an apartment |
| • | To provide emotional support, twenty-four hour crisis counseling and guidance for the youth |
| • | To encourage the youth to finish their education and seek higher education |
| • | To assist the youth in finding and maintaining employment |
| • | To encourage the youth to develop and maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, employers, and community resources |
Youth who successfully complete the program will keep their apartments and all the furnishings. They will have a job, a savings account, and skills to maintain themselves.
Supervised
Independent Living Program (SILP)
| • | Males and females between the ages of 17-21 |
Objectives:
| • | Offer emotional support and guidance to the youth |
| • | Provide foster youth with the knowledge, information, and life skills needed to function within society |
| • | Encourage youth to finish their education and seek higher education |
| • | Help assist youth in finding and maintaining employment |
| • | Encourage youth to develop and maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, employers and community resources |
Staff:
A Case Manager will work the youth in both homes and will meet with the youth individually and as a group. The case manager is responsible for monitoring the development and implementation of the multi-disciplinary treatment plan and will have regular contact with each youth as needed to ensure that each youth is receiving the services and learning the skills that will benefit them. The case manager (or another CHOICES, Inc. staff person) is on-call for emergencies or assistance at all times. A Case Aid will provide additional guidance to each youth in support of their case plans, identified goals, and development of life skills. The case aid will be available to work with youth on an individual basis and in a group. A House Parent resides at the property and acts as a property manager as well as adding an adult presence to help maintain the safety and well being of the youth and the living environment. The House Parent is responsible for bed checks and any late night emergencies. |
Life Skills Classes
Population:| • | Male and females between the ages of 16-21 |
Objectives:
| • | Provide instruction for youth attainment of basic life skills |
| • | Provide guidance in goal setting, problem solving and decision making |
| • | Encourage youth to finish their education |
| • | Encourage youth to find and maintain employment |
| • | Encourage youth to develop and maintain healthy relationships with family, friends, employers and community resources |
| • | Provide a pre and post assessment of life skills through the Daniel Memorial IL Assessment |
CHOICES Provides:
| • | 2 staff to facilitate the classes |
| • | Written materials, community resources |
| • | Transportation to and from class |
| • | Refreshments |
| • | Graduation Stipend |
| Become a Foster Parent | | | Current Foster Parents | | | Independent Living Program | | | Philosophy | | | Activities | | | Site Map |
Copyright © 2004-2006 CHOICES, Inc. All rights reserved.