Independent Living Worker Information All children and youth need to learn basic life skills in order for them to become successful adults. The state recognizes this and requires certain things from those serving youth. For example, when a 14 year old has been in care for at least six months, an assessment and plan gets developed. If a youth is 15 or older when entering care, the assessment and plan gets developed as part of the case plan. Assessments and plans continue to occur as long as the youth is in care. The youth then receives services to help them develop and master skills. Plans and services focus on: High school education Post-secondary education or training Career exploration, planning and employment Safe and stable housing Home maintenance Transportation Health and medical Healthy relationships Financial self-sufficiency Identification/use of community resources and support systems Identification and/or development of life long connections to supportive adults (permanency) Needed documents (birth certificate, social security card, State ID, immigration papers, etc.) The youth’s goals for the future The plans should include measurable goals and objectives. The activities should be experiential, whenever possible. Child welfare agencies are responsible for these plans and services. For more information, view the Wisconsin Child Welfare Independent Living Coordinators map to find out who to contact in your county. Young adults age 18 and older (up to 23 in most cases) can also receive services if one of the following applies: They have aged out of foster care An adoption or court-ordered guardianship for the child happened after the age of 16 In most cases, Transition Resource Agencies (TRAs) are responsible for providing these services. For more information, view the Independent Living - Transition Resource Agency Contact Information map to find out who to get in touch with in your region. Statutes, Standards, Policies Statutes State Statutes are laws created by the Wisconsin State Legislature all agencies must follow. Chapter 48 is the Children's Code in Wisconsin. Standards The Ongoing Services Standards provides a framework for the ongoing case process. The standards focus on safety, permanence, and well-being for children and their families served under Wisconsin Statute Chapter 48 and Chapter 938. Policy Memos Child Welfare Policy Memos - This is a searchable table of all active memos related to Wisconsin Child Welfare. WICWA Wisconsin Indian Child Welfare Act provides information on the required responsibilities for Indian child welfare practices in Wisconsin. Resources, Training & Reports Resources Guidelines for Providing Independent Living Services to Youth Adjudicated Delinquent details IL program eligibility for youth adjudicated delinquent. Independent Living Roles and Responsibilities provides guidance to Child Welfare Agencies and Transition Resource Agencies about the roles and responsibilities they each have related to serving youth in the Wisconsin Independent Living Program and its key domains. The Roadmap to Independent Living details the state's Independent Living requirements and advice from youth for adults. Independent Living Program Eligibility provides a list of service types available by age. Independent Living Resource Guide provides many helpful links for Independent Living professionals assisting the youth of Wisconsin. The Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood or "Chafee" requires those serving youth in out-of-home care: Help youth make the transition to self-sufficiency through needed services Help youth receive the education, training and services necessary to obtain employment Provide personal and emotional support to those aging out of care Help youth prepare for and enter postsecondary training and education institutions Provide financial assistance for housing, counseling, health, transportation, employment and education to youth ages 18-23 Make available vouchers for postsecondary education and training (Education and Training Vouchers) Training Independent Living Transition to Discharge (ILTD) is a 20 minute video providing a thorough overview of the ILTD plan, including: Requirements Important partners to include in the process Helpful Hints Keeping Kids Safe From Identity Theft explains the credit check process for children in out-of-home care. It includes information about Protecting and remediating a child's credit Documentation requirements How to talk with young people about credit Supporting the Transition to Adulthood (online training) Provides an overview of Wisconsin’s independent living regional model Clarifies roles and responsibilities of those supporting youth in transition Provides recommendations and resources for effective partnerships Independent Living eWiSCAWIS Changes summarizes the changes made to the data system, including why they were made and things to consider when implementing them. eWiSACWIS Changes Webinar provides additional information and screen shots of the changes. Reports Wisconsin’s Independent Living Program: 2016-2019 Summary Report provides an overview of the growth and evolution of the state’s IL program since 2016, including: Structure and services provided Population served Initial outcomes Youth voice initiatives Contact Information Independent Living Policy Coordinator Phone: (608) 422-6990Email: DCFILCoordinator@wisconsin.gov
