Fresno County Fresno County Independent Living Independent Living

Program (ILP)Program (ILP)

Fresno County Fresno County Independent Living Independent Living

Program (ILP)Program (ILP)BY: Manila VangBY: Manila Vang

California State University, California State University, FresnoFresno

About ILPFresno County's Independent Living Program provides services to Fresno County's probation and foster youth. The services and activites of ILP are designed with intent of providing services to current and former probation and foster youth from ages 14 to 21.

ILP’s Mission Statement“…to provide them with a sense of community and belonging while providing them with the necessary skills and support to obtain self-sufficiency.  ILP Social Workers assist in the development of a transition plan, academic advising, employment referrals, housing assistance and are advisors for EXPLORERS and YONI.”

Who does it serve?• Current and former

probation and foster youth from ages 14 to 21

• an estimation of 750 foster youths attend FUSD and 300 are ILP eligible.

Services and Programs• ILP offers:

-Fresno City Life Skills Classes -Fresno County Explores Post 300 -California Youth Connection -ILP Kickoff-Youth Organizing New Ideas (YONI)

Services and Programs continue…

• ILP offers:-Transitional Housing Assistance -Financial Aid workshop -BRIDGE Program-Medi Cal-Planned Parenthood workshop

Services and Programs continue…

• ILP offers:-High School Graduation Celebration -Baby City event -Food Stamp linkage-Financial Incentives for completing classes, education and other assistance

ILP youths attend a workshop.

Obstacles with the services and programs

• Many youths who age out of thesystem do not follow up or participatein the services and programs offered.Therefore, housing is the number oneissues for these youths, which leads tohomelessness.

Obstacles with the services and programs

continue…• Another challenge ILP face is

finding placement for foster youths who have severe mental health issues, emotional/behavioral issues, and who are sexual predators.

Organizational Structure

From top is highest position:

DirectorDeputy Director

Program ManagerILP Supervisor

ILP Social WorkersOffice Assistance & Social Worker Aide

Population at risk• Aging out foster and probation youths• Any foster/probation youth under the

age of 18 because of limited services for in-care.

• In 2000, black families made up about 5% of the county's population. However, nearly 25% of children in foster care were black.

Agency’s Practices• Make all ILP

youths aware of benefits and services available

Agency’s Vision• To lead an integrated network of

community partners that supports, protects and strengthens children and families.

Agency’s MissionTo promote a system of best practice in partnership with the community, committed to prevention and early intervention, that ensures child safety, permanence and stability, family well-being, that is proactive, strategic, outcomes-based and fiscally responsible to the children and families served. Fresno County Department of Social Services will fulfill this mission by having the Fresno County's employees and community partners provide assessment, intervention, prevention, placement and mental health treatment services for infants, children, youth and families of Fresno County.

Social Work Practice• To be able to work with ILP youths,

the worker has to be a social worker III or practioner.

• Code of Ethics

Social Justice• Serve all foster and probation youths

no matter what background they hold.• Lobby Day takes place every spring;

advocate for foster/probation youths who are in the child welfare system.

• YONI and EXPLORE

Social Work Values• Engage youths to

make healthy and smart decisions for their benefits.

• Providing each youths with the highest quality of client services

Human Rights• Treat all youths with respect• Empower youths to advocate for

self• Instill a life of normalcy (eg.

sleepovers, freedom of religion, usage of telephone, etc.)

• It is the youth’s choice whether or not they participate in ILP services.

Youths advocating.

ReferenceIndependent living program. (2010,

October 5). Retrieved from http://www.co.fresno.ca.us/DivisionPage.aspx?id=21143