DISCUSSION
Since 2005, Youth and Family has effectively provided the federally mandated ILP services on behalf of Shasta County’s foster care system to eligible foster youth including foster youth placed through Juvenile Probation and Child Welfare.
ILP services enable youth to become self-sufficient after leaving foster care. ILP serves current foster youth placed by Child Welfare and Probation, age 16 to 21, and former foster youth up to age 21. Through this agreement, Youth and Family will provide workshops, seminars, and activities aimed at preparing current and former foster youth to become independent. Youth and Family staff will provide independent living skills assessments, basic life skills, and job preparation. A written Transitional Independent Living Plan for each participant is a required component of the ILP program, and is individualized for each participant based on their needs. Stipends for emancipated youth are available through the program, and are provided for items such as finding, securing, and setting up housing, work related costs, tools for a trade or vocational training, employment searches, and transportation. Youth and Family staff will provide computer internet access, assistance and incentives to youth identified to participate in the federally mandated National Youth in Transition Database (NYTD) surveys. Monitoring of client outcomes will be done annually using the Ansell-Casey Life Skills Assessment-IV measurement tool.
By authorizing the HHSA Director, HHSA Branch Director, or HHSA Deputy Branch Director to make budget amendments which are: (i) in excess of 10 percent of the total budget category, or (ii) across existing budget categories that do not cause an increase to the maximum amount payable it will allow efficiency during the three-year term of the agreement. |