User:Lovelienata/sandbox

Independent Living Program (ILP) is a federally funded program that assists current and former foster youth reach independence before or by the time they exit care. The youth are between the ages of 16-20 and have been declared eligible by an Independent Living Program Transitional Coordinator. In order to be eligible for the program the youth must be deemed eligible by their Transitional Coordinator also known as Independent Living Program Coordinator. The benefits of the program include independent life skill classes, educational guidance, assistance with obtaining employment, finding housing, financial literacy skills, and advocacy while in the program.

Extended Foster Care, also know as Assembly Bill 12 (AB12) was signed into law on September 30, 2010 and took effect on January 1, 2012. Youth who are eligible are referred to as “non-minor dependents” or “NMDs”. Extended Foster Care was created so that foster youth could have a safety net and the youth is able to receive needed services in order to obtain assistance with education and employment so that they can be self-sufficient when they are done with extended foster care at  age 21. Education and employment will better prepare non-minor dependents into the transition into adulthood. Several foster care placement types exist for youth who decide to remain in extended foster care and are non-minor dependents. Youth have the following options:

-Remain at their current placement, which can include: relative, Non Related Extended Family Member (NREFM), licensed foster family, certified foster family agency, and group home

-Transitional Housing Plus Foster Care (THP+FC)

-Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP)

When the youth has decided to extend their foster care they must agreed to be a ward of the court and agree to meet with a social worker to work on the goals identified on the Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP)

If the youth is interested in extended foster care then they must meet one of the criteria on the 6-month hearing before they turn 18 years of age. In order for youth to be eligible to remain in care they must meet one of following:

-Working toward completing high school or obtaining a GED

-Enrolled in college or a vocational program

-Employed and working at least 80 hours a month

-Participating in a program that assists with obtaining employment

-Cannot meet one of the listed criteria due to medical reason