ILP Program

The Independent Living Program serves youth ages 14-21 that are currently in foster care or were placed in foster care for 180 days after the age of 14.

Youth in the program work on skills that will help them become independent when they are released from DHS custody or age out of the system. These skill areas include: Housing, Education, Health, Employment and Support Services. The skills learned are all encompassing and are based on the youths needs and what their life goals are whether it be continuing on to post secondary education or working full time.

We provide classes on a weekly basis and work one on one with youth through their assigned case manager. We also have an employment program that was started in the spring of 2008 called ILP Pathways that is headed by an Americorps volunteer.

Some of our partners for classes include the Oregon Food Bank who provide the training, supplies and location for cooking classes, SE Works who provides a location and materials for classes and have two Case Managers trained to teach the "Ready to Rent" class which is a series of classes designed to help youth learn housing skills before leaving the DHS system.

Other Assistance

The Subsidy program provides rental assistance to youth who are still placed in foster care. Many youth access this program after they graduate from High School and transition from DHS custody to complete independence.

Youth are required to maintain a 40 hour productive week that may be composed of 40 hours of work, 40 hours of school or a combination of work and school. They must maintain a monthly budget and stay in close contact with both their DHS worker, the Subsidy worker and their ILP Case Manager.

Youth that qualify for the Subsidy program may receive up to $512.00 per month in living assistance. This can be used for any living expenses that need to be covered by the youth, but the total amount awarded is based on "Need" and may be as little as $25.00 per month for those youth that are working full time.

Funds received from the Subsidy program can only be used on the youth receiving the funds. They may not be used on anybody else.

The Chaffee program is similar to the Subsidy program, however there are differences. Youth qualify for up to $6000 in total and the monthly award amount will vary depending on the youths need and budget. Youth may stay in the program until age 21. To be eligible a youth must:

• Be in DHS custody until the age of 18
• Be closed out from regular DHS custody
• Sign a voluntary with DHS for DHS services
• Work a minimum of 4 hours per week
• May not be receiving financial aid for housing
• Use all funds received from the Chafee program for housing

Scholarship

This scholarship offers college funds for Oregonians who have spent at least one year in foster care between the ages of 14 and 21 and who enroll in an Oregon college no later than three years from the date they leave foster care or graduate from high school, whichever date is the earliest.

A youth that qualifies for this scholarship may receive up to $4000 a year for their post secondary education until the age of 23 (but must receive funds before the age of 21 to continue receiving them until the age of 23). Awards are based on need and the amounts will vary depending on the cost of school attendance and the amount of other aid received from federal financial aid, grants and scholarships.

Applicants must complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, apply online at http://fafsa.ed.gov