Program Overview | Southern Arizona | Yavapai County, Arizona | New Mexico
In-Home Programs for Youth
The Independent Living Program [view brochure]
Intermountain Center for Human Development’s Independent Living Program (ILP) is open to youth ages 13-21 who are currently in the custody of Child Protective Services in Pima County, as well as to former foster care youth ages 18-21. The program is free to qualified individuals.
The program is designed to work with youth as they prepare to leave the custody of child welfare programs, and to help them be well-prepared to meet the challenges of independent living through the provision of support services, education, encouragement and advocacy to youth as they transition to adulthood.
Youth involved in Intermountain’s Independent Living Program complete a comprehensive Life Skills Assessment at entry and exit from the program as a tool for planning, as well as to monitor progress. Services are tailored to each youth based on the assessments of strengths and needs, and are individualized to each participant in the program through individual and group-oriented learning experiences.
Participants in the program are introduced to situations and concepts that they will encounter as independent adults in a classroom environment, often taught by experts from the community. ILP coordinators work individually with each youth to further educate and develop their skills, and to connect them with the necessary resources in the community to help them best utilize these skills.
Throughout the skills development and educational process, program coordinators participate in each youth’s Child and Family Team or Adult Recovery Team to ensure involvement of natural supports and the coordination of services based on a youth’s needs.
Services Offered
Case Management
As a part of the Independent Living Program, program coordinators develop a Transition to Independent Living Plan (TILP) for each individual. As a part of the service plan, coordinators connect youth with the necessary resources/sources of information in the community, as well as with professional and natural supports.
Life Skills Series
The Life Skills Series is an eight-week program that is held at a variety of locations throughout Pima County. The program is a series of classes providing general instruction in all of the life domains. The Life Skills Series includes instruction from program staff as well as guest speakers from the community.
Hands-On Training
As the Independent Living Program is highly individualized, each youth will learn to apply the knowledge gained through the Life Skills Series which includes hands-on application and experiential learning opportunities. Depending on the level and frequency of need, the hands-on training may be applied in a group or individualized setting.
Life Domains Covered
The Independent Living Program addresses all relevant aspects of independent living, to varying degrees, according to each individual’s needs. Possible topics include, but are not limited to*:
- Personal Care and Health: Personal Hygiene, Doctor Visits, Basic First Aid and AHCCCS Enrollment
- Components of a Healthy Relationship: Sex Education and Domestic Violence
- Employment: Resources for Finding Employment, Resume Writing, How to Interview and Mock Interviews
- Housing: Resources for Finding Housing, Low-Cost Housing Options, Understanding Leases, Renter’s Rights and Responsibilities and Emergency Assistance
- Money Management and Consumer Skills: Developing a Budget, Banking - Checking and Savings Accounts and Issues with Credit/Loans
- Nutrition: Nutrition Education, Menu and Meal Planning, Effective Grocery Shopping, Food Storage and Meal Preparation
- Family Planning and Parenting: Family Planning Resources, Basic Parenting Skills and Childcare Resources
- Transportation: Utilizing Public Transportation; Acquiring a Driver’s License, and Vehicle Ownership and Maintenance.
*All domains will have a focus on relevant problem solving skills and community resources.
How to Become Enrolled in the Independent Living Program
A potential Independent Living Program participant can become enrolled in the program several ways:
- If the participant is currently in Child Protective Service custody, the current caseworker needs to complete the referral packet and send it to the ILP.
- If the potential participant is currently living on his/her own, he/she can contact the program directly or the previous caseworker can contact the ILP on the participant’s behalf.
Contact and Referral Information
Intermountain Centers for Human Development
Independent Living Program Coordinator
P. O. Box 17749
Tucson, AZ 85731-7749
Tel: (520) 721-1887, ext. 309
Fax: (520) 751-2140
Email: ilp@ichd.net