Independent Living
for
Children
in Out-of-Home Care
Independent living services are designed to help youth 15 to 21 years of
age gain the skills necessary for successful transition from out-of-home
care to living independently in the community. The June
2000 Independent Living for Children in Out-Of-Home Care study found
that youth exiting care at the age of 18 are especially vulnerable to
physical and sexual victimization, unemployment and underemployment,
homelessness, incarceration and public assistance utilization in higher
numbers than youth who had not been placed in the out-of-home care system.
Independent living services ensure that all youth placed in out-of-home
care receive basic living skills training and are provided ongoing
assistance and support upon exiting the system, up to age 21.
Last Revised: June 16, 2008 |