with Ebony Harris

Tuesday, the 6th of November 2007

Judy: Goodevening Everyone. Ebony Harris, Independent Living Program (ILP) Manager is with us tonight to give us insight on the ILP program. Welcome Ebony!

Veda: - has joined the chat -

gailp: hello

Judy: Ebony, would you like to start by giving us a short summary of what the ILP is about?

gailp: Sure...

gailp: Our goal statewide is to provide supportive services for eligible youth ages 14-26 that will enable them to properly utilize available resources and successfully transition towards self-sufficiency.

Judy: What type of support does a teen receive at the age of 14 when they enter the porgram?

Veda: Hi, can you tell us when foster or adoptive parents should begin to use the Independent Living Program's resources.

gailp: The are able to attend life skills workshops at 14

gailp: Foster/adoptive parents can begin as soon as youth enter their homes

gailp: hey can attend at 14

Veda: How do parents learn about these workshops?

gailp: one of the biggest misconception is that ILP begins at 18

gailp: You can get workshop info from your regional coordinator

gailp: another way to begin getting involved is ensuring that the case managers refer youth to ILP

Judy: How often are the workshops and what type of skills are taught?

gailp: There aare monthly workshops...

gailp: They range fron social skills, daily living, money management,

gailp: The workshops vary throuout the regions

Veda: Who are the person's teaching these workshops? Are they professionals in the community?

gailp: there are various providers..

gailp: i.e if the workshop covers banking a banking professional conducts the training..

gailp: there are a varity of community partners that assist with workshops

lorraine: - has joined the chat -

gailp: We also provide post secondary support

chatadmin: What type of support/ assistance can the college bound child expect from the ILP?

Veda: What does the ILP pay for? I have heard ILP helps with rent; tuition and books; transportation...is that true?

gailp: we assist with tuition and housing for students

gailp: Yes that is true

gailp: What ILP can pay for depends on the youth needs and the state and federal guidelines

Veda: Does a student have to meet any type of criteria to receive these benefits?

gailp: yes... for those in school they must be enrolled full-time and making satisfactory progress...

gailp: they must also meet the post secondary agreement and be acheiving the goals outlined on their Written Transitional Living Plan (WTLP)

Judy: What type of goals are generally written in a WTLP?

gailp: The goals on the WTLP are individualized to the youth but it addresses education. work goals, employment, life skills needs, and other areas that youth need to attain to be self-sufficient

gailp: This begins at 14

gailp: and should be updated every six month as the case plan is updated

Veda: If a Student is receiving Special Educational Services via the public school system will the ILP/WTLP address the student's IEP goals and work with the family towards the goal of College w/accommodations?

gailp: yes and the case manager ILC must be made aware of these needs and the goals can be incorporated into the WTLP

gailp: Case manager and ILC

cindy: does this plan work for both foster and adopted teens?

Veda: That is great. I would think that a student and their family would feel very supported. Does the Case manager also attend IEP meetings with the student/parent(s)?

gailp: The plan is required for foster youth but this type of planning is good for foster and adopted youth

Veda: I am wondering, does this apply to youth adopted after the age of 14 years?

gailp: I am not sure if case manager attend the IEP meetings...but the IEP should be provided to them so it can be a part of their planning

gailp: yes...youth adopted after the age of 14 are eligible for iLP services

Veda: I meant to say "only" youth adopted after the age of 14. If a child is adopted at age 12 or 13 they would not be eligible for ILP services...is that correct?

gailp: That is correct

Judy: What type of support is available for those over 18 who are not attending college or tech school?

gailp: There is the Transitional Living Program...

gailp: This program provides supported housing and requires youth to maintain a job...They must also sign a consent to remain in care at 18 to receive this service

gailp: Wer are provide emergency support for youth

Veda: That seems to be a real challenge...to get the teen to remain in care . How has the ILP program in GA. tackled that challenge with foster kids who turn 18 and are ready to be Independent?

cindy: does th transitional living program, help even if they have a child of their own?

gailp: Yes..it is somewhat of a challenge...

gailp: We try to give youth information about the ILP so they can make an informed decision before they exit care....no youth is ready to be independent at 18

gailp: For youth with children we work with the 2nd cahnce home programs

Veda: I agree! What would you say is your success rate with teens coming out of foster care vs. a teen who was adopted at 14 or older and utilizes the ILP services? Any stats on that? Just wondering if the program is more successful with the teens who've been adopted.

gailp: y provide specialized housing and support for youth with children

gailp: Unfortunately we do capture that data

gailp: do not

gailp: Any youth that has positive adult connection will be more successful that those who do not

gailp: I meant 2nd chance homes...I getting my own children to bed

gailp: bear with me...lol

Judy: What exactly is a 2nd chance home?

gailp: They are homes that are for parenting youth...they provide housing, and parenting support in a group setting for young mothers

Veda: Have you seen the "Aging Out" documentary? If so, has that been used with the foster teens who might not want to sign the consent to remain in care?

gailp: They also teach essential life skills as well

gailp: Yes...I have seen it and I have showed it to youth...

gailp: It does make youth think about their future...but in the end remaining in care is voluntary at 18 and youth can leave and decide to leave for a variety of reasons....

gailp: i.e. they feel like that can make it on teir own...they want to go back to their families, they are tired of "the system"

Judy: Can someone who left the system at 18 and is now 21 and decides they would like to go to college reenter the ILP program and receive the college support?

gailp: And they do not feel connected to anyone

gailp: Yes...but the funding limits may be different

Veda: Could you give an example of what the difference might be in funding?

gailp: After 21 federal funding can not be used so what they may have been eligble for before 21 they will not be eligible for after 21...

gailp: Also depending on their status at they time they exited from care would also determine their eligibility

Judy: How does an adoptive family of a teen contact their ILP Coordinator?

gailp: Their is a coordinator assigned to the 17 DFSC regions

gailp: There

Judy: Should they contact the regional office or their local DFCS?

gailp: ilc

Judy: We are almost out of time? Is there a final question for Ebony?

gailp: The ILC's are assigned to the region....What county are you in?

gailp: I appreciate the opportunity to be invited to your chat....Thanks!

Veda: A good deal of great information here...Thank you!

Judy: Ebony, Thank you for giving us insight to the Independent Living Program. This program really helps many teens throughout the state and we appreciate all that you do for our teens. Goodnight everyone!