Independent Living Skills

Transitioning from adolescence to adulthood is seldom an easy task. It requires skills, maturity, planning and support. Many youth are not yet ready to make this change at 18, and the transition is even more daunting for youth in out-of-home care who have not had guidance, support or present throughout their lives.

Children's Service Society of Wisconsin's Independent Living Skills program assists young adults to transition out of foster care. Youth are given the skills, training, guidance and support enabling them to make it on their own.

The Independent Living Skills program includes information on:

• Finding and maintaining an apartment.
• Managing money.
• Finding and maintaining a job.
• Learning skills of daily living: cooking, cleaning, health and hygiene.
• Completing basic education skills.
• Understanding what "adult freedom" entails.
• Understanding issues such as sexuality, marriage, parenting, substance use and abuse.

Eligible youth are those who are in out-of-home care, aged 15 or older, and youth up to age 21 who were in out-of-home care for at least six months and left care after age 17. When youth are referred to the Independent Living Skills program, an appointment is made for the youth to meet with the Independent Living Skills program coordinator to discuss the program, assess skills and develop individual goals for a transitional living plan.

Independent Living Skills programs are available in the following counties: Milwaukee, Eau Claire, Polk, Clark, Dunn, Barron, Monroe and through a consortium with the following counties: Marquette, Juneau, Sauk and Columbia.

For more information, contact Children's Service Society at (800) 653-2779.