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Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

The Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 established the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program. This program incorporates and expands the former Independent Living Program (ILP) and expands services for after care youth ages 18-21 who have exited care at age 18 or after, but have not reached age 21.

Independent living services are provided to young people to assist them as they transition to adulthood. Independent living services are not an alternative to adoption. Enrollment in the independent living program shall occur concurrently with continued efforts to locate and achieve placements in adoptive families.

• Contact information for Chafee Foster Care Independent Program
• Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Support Application (PDF, 1.5mb)
• The Chafee Foster Care Independence Program Services Report 2006 (PDF, 70kb)
• Chafee Making Choices Toward Independence Brochure (PDF, 538kb)
• State Youth Advisory Board
• "What's it all About?" - A Guide for Youth in Out-of-Home-Care (PDF, 11,791kb)
• Chafee Education and Training Voucher

Eligible Population

The former ILP restricted eligibility to youth ages 16 -18. The Chafee Foster Care Independence Program (hereafter referred to as Chafee) will serve eligible young people without regard to a young person's eligibility for Title IV-E funded foster care if they are:

• Likely to remain in foster care until age 18;
• Are between the ages of 14 -21;
• Former foster youth who left foster care at age 17.5 or after, but have not reached age 21.

Qualifying Services

The change in name from ILP to Chafee does not alter the basic services currently offered to youth 16-18 years of age through ILP. Chafee will continue to provide the same basic independent living services, with expanded services to older youth who left the Children's Division's' (CD) custody on or after age 17.5, but have not yet reached age 21. CD has chosen a broad list of activities to help youth prepare for and make the successful transition from adolescence to adulthood. The following is a list of services that are available, but it is not intended as a restrictive list:

• Soft skills focusing on healthy relationship building and self-esteem.
• Training in daily living skills, budgeting and financial management.
• Assistance in obtaining a high school diploma.
• Training and employment services, job placement and retention.
• Career exploration.
• Vocational training, or preparation for post secondary training.
• Preventive health activities (i.e., smoking avoidance, substance abuse and pregnancy prevention).
• Mentors or significant adults.
• Crisis intervention funds (rent and utilities, food)
• Financial, housing, and other appropriate supports and services for young people 18-21 formerly in foster care.

Other Resource

• Mentoring Contacts
• Foster Care Independence Act of 1999 (PDF, 153kb)
• National Resource Center for Youth Services
• Casey Life Skills
• FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid