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INDEPENDENT LIVING SERVICES

Independent Living Services is provided to youth currently in foster care beginning at age 13 and continues through age 23.  Youths, ages 13-17, currently in foster care are assigned a Primary Case Manager who assures integration of all services provided to the youth, and an IL Case Manager who coordinates delivery of individualized life skills services based on the child’s strengths and areas of needs.

Young adults formerly in foster care are assigned an IL Case Manager who provides support in accessing community resources, completing EFC, PESS and Aftercare applications, navigating the educational system, exploring scholarships and grants, and amongst other traditional case management responsibilities, facilitates training on a variety of topics to expound upon developmental and skill building information and activities previously delivered while in foster care.

Within a month of the foster youth’s 13th birthday, the Primary Case Manager completes a referral to Children’s Home Society (ILS subcontracted provider) and an IL Case Manager is assigned. The youth and the IL Case Manager work together to complete an assessment that identifies the youth’s areas of strength and those that require strengthening. An individualized plan is established that specifies goals and objectives to achieve educational and developmental tasks.

Youths are encouraged to participate in field trips that are geared towards social development and life skills workshops on financial literacy, time management, interpersonal relationships, stress management, sex awareness, parenting skills, health and hygiene, etc.  Experts from within the topic being discussed serve as co-presenters; this may include young adults formerly in foster care.

In addition to the above supports that continue through age 18, at age 16 an Intensive Services Plan is developed to ensure critical core tasks are accomplished prior to the youth’s 18th birthday. These include:

  1. Participation in a DATE  course (Drug and Alcohol) specifically allocated for foster teens who are interested in obtaining a driver’s licensing
  2. Establish a bank account
  3. Complete an initial budget and reviewed it at least once within a six month period
  4. Compose  a grocery list, purchased the items, prepared a meal and cleaned up
  5. Attend a resume writing class and composed a resume
  6. Complete an interviewing skills class and participated in a mock interview
  7. Complete a transition plan that outlines the intended living arrangement upon reaching age 18, along with supports and available services.

Helpful Resources:

Helpful Websites:

Keys to Independence Drivers’s License

Employment Resources

  • Career OneStop – Explore information about careers, salaries, education and training, job searching

  • Employ Florida – Register to begin your job search. (P.S.: Employers will be looking here, too! )

  • Job Corps -Whether you’re searching for a new career, finishing your high school diploma or exploring your options, Job Corps can provide you with free training to jump-start your future.

  • AmeriCorps– you can gain experience while supporting climate change, mitigation, building affordable housing, disaster response, and more. You will travel the country, all expenses paid, and earn money for college while serving on a team full time.

  • USAJOBS.gov – A central location to find job openings in federal agencies and organizations. You don’t need an account in order to search for a job, but you do have to register to apply for a job.

  • People First (State Job Search) – For those seeking a career in public service in Florida State Government, log in on the left-side of the page (after registering)

  • Florida Department of Education, Division of Vocational Rehabilitation If you have a disability, VR can help you understand the options available to find, get or keep a better job.

  • Occupational Outlook Handbook (Bureau of Labor Statistics) Provides a list of career choices, gives an overview of the job duties, salary, and education requirements. Identifies the highest paying, fastest growing, and most new jobs in today’s market.

  • Resume Tutorial – This on-line resume builder is a step-by-step tool to help you create an overview of your work experience, job skills, and education.

  • What Do You Want to be When You Grow Up?–Career Exploration Questions and Steps A career exploration and next steps guide that helps youth and young adults learn skills to apply when making career decisions.

  • Learn How to Become… – Provides detailed insight into 45 of today’s most popular career fields.

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