Important Documents About Independent Living Programs

College Scholarship/Financial Aid Information

Frequently Asked Questions

Teen Plan Flyer

Transitional Support and Aftercare

Goals for Kids Central Independent Living Program:

• Continued development of program capacity. Nationally the issues faced by children aging out of foster care are getting attention. Funding organizations, the federal government and local communities are engaging in addressing these issues. Kids Central needs to join this national discussion and seek resources to address the specific needs of the youth in Judicial Circuit 5.
• Enhancement and continued provision of supportive services that allow a child to grow, develop emotionally, and learn key skills that will enable them to live independently. Establishing baseline for a basic understanding of what "it takes" to survive independently must only be a start for the youth in Judicial Circuit 5. The Kids Central independent living program must not focus exclusively on ensuring that youth have the basics, but must focus on those skills that increase overall well-being in adulthood. Focusing on the long-term outcomes for the young adult that are beyond their immediate basic needs will enhance the probability that the youth is able to reach their full potential. Furthermore, it will ensure that the Independent Living program focuses on providing services that provide the best possible outcomes rather than those that are "just good enough."
• Active engagement of the youth in the development of their programmatic plan: A consumer's voice is critical to the quality assurance of any program. Youth understand their own needs on a much more personal level than do the typical professionals trying to "help" them. Authentic engagement in planning for their futures gives the youth controls that will allow for increased independence and ideally aiding in healthier decision-making
• Coordination and provision of high quality, relevant education regardless of the placement setting of the child (this can be accomplished in part by reducing the number of placements youth experience). Repeatedly, studies show education is key. School reinvestment programming is critical for those youth who have become disengaged in the educational process. Utilizing the principles of positive youth development and the youth's own assets, young people can be encouraged and supported in re-engaging with their own educational process.
• Offering information related to employment choices including: exposure to the "world of work", provision of structured internships that allow youth to tap into career options, and a strong linkage to both Workforce Development and community based employers. Professional mentors and community members are key to the success of youth entering the workforce. Hearing the stories of others who have been successful and seeking their support and counsel can provide youth with structure that will allow for more positive decision-making. Working with adults who want the youth to succeed and will support the kind of environment that builds success will have positive outcomes for youth entering the workforce
• Opportunities to develop social, civic and leadership skills that will allow youth to feel valued in the community. Citizenship is key to the overall youth's engagement in his or her community. Caring about what happens around them is critical; by providing youth with empathy building opportunities allows them to care about issues and ideas beyond themselves.
• Connection to a caring adult that can mentor a child and the Interaction of youth with peers in a safe, supporting environment. Creating situations where youth have an opportunity to make mistakes and learn from them is critical. Having relationships that guide our decision-making allows for discussions that ultimately can result in decisions that are very successful.