It takes skill and courage to survive in the big city. The Independent Living Program (ILP), Los Angeles, will teach you how to tame all the mean streets you cross. Run by The Community College Foundation (TCCF) and offered at 18 different community college locations, ILP offers a variety of workshops and real-life experiences that will show you how to survive -- and thrive on your own. If you're 16-21 years old and in out-of-home care you can sign up now. Here's what to expect:

• An Outreach Advisor will visit your home and explain to you and your care provider the advantages of ILP. He or she will invite you to attend ILP programs.
  
• Opportunities. When you sign up for ILP, you'll get to attend various classes. Depending on your interests, your advisor will introduce you to all sorts of community resources: college options and information, recreational activities, faith-based activities, mentoring organizations, special interest groups, counseling - anything, really, that will help you to live successfully on your own.
  
• Life Skill Classes. Thirty hours of info you need to know about the Seven Areas of Success: 1) Education; 2) Employment; 3) Daily Living Skills; 4) Survival skills; 5) Choices & Consequences; 6) Interpersonal Social Skills; and 7) Computer and Internet skills.
  
• Workshops are held 10 times, twice a week, over a five-week period on various community college campuses. On class nights, ILP even picks up your tab for dinner and transportation. In fact, you just might like the campus so much you'll want to continue your education there.
  
• Financial Aid Workshops. - Learn how to fill out financial aid forms.
  
• Lots of Good Advice. Advisors visit each class to talk about all sorts of information you need to know: the pros and cons of becoming independent, emancipation issues, employment, and the overall objectives of the Independent Living Program. They'll also want to know from you how to make the program even better!
  
• Results! You may not recognize yourself. Changes in your knowledge, skills, and attitude in each area will be monitored when you enter and leave the program. You'll be amazed at how much you learn!

Brought to you by the Los Angeles County
Youth Development Services Division and Independent Living Program (YDSD/ILP) L.A. COUNTY TRANSITION PARTNERSHIP

Thank you for visiting our Youth Development Program website.  Please continue to contact us with your comments and suggestions.  We need and welcome your participation to make this site a vibrant source of information for all youth transitioning from foster care in Los Angeles County.  If you have information to share on our site or experience a problem with the site (e.g. nonfunctioning link),  Please contact Jennifer Chuang via email at chuanj@dcfs.lacounty.gov

The Youth Development Program receives a set budget every year from state and federal government sources.  Resources are distributed according to need and not as an entitlement. Since the budget is limited, please note that the services and benefits described in this website are available to eligible transitioning youth 16 - up to their 21st birthday in Los Angeles County, on a needs-basis, until all funds are spent for the fiscal year (the fiscal year ends June 30th).  There are some services available for youth 14 - 15.  Some of the resources are listed for your information and ARE NOT to be considered an endorsement by Los Angeles County.