Inside this issue: Volume 3, Issue 3 Jul.-Sept.2012 What is ILP 1 Current News 2 Dream Center 2 Important Deadlines 2 Upcoming Events 2 Questions From the Youth 3 Assembly Bill 12 3 Jobs Focus Youth What is ILP? Events The Independent Living Program (ILP) is a federally funded program that provides services to assist eligible youth (16-21 years of age) in making successful transitions from foster care to independent living. Any youth that were in OR are in foster care/probation and placed in out of home foster care at any time from their 16th to their 19th birthday are eligible for ILP Services. ILP offers a vast amount of services to help youth achieve self-sufficiency prior to exiting foster care; the following are some of those services: Registration • Transitional Independent Living Plan (TILP) – completed with ILP worker/probation officer every 6-months to explore goals related to selfsufficiency. •Education Planning – plan for completion of high school and options for college. •College and financial aid application assistance •Community resources that provide career planning, job leads, and resume assistance. •Transitional housing for emancipated youth •Emancipation conferences •Life skills •Referrals to resources •Assist youth in opening a savings account •ILP trust fund •Senior packet - cap/gown, etc. •Transportation assistance – bus passes and/or assistance with obtaining a driver’s license. •Introduction to California Youth Connection (CYC) •Incentives for ILP participation •Referral to a mentoring program •Assist youth in obtaining their birth certificate, social security card, California Identification Card or California Driver’s 1 License •Assist youth in obtaining access to view their child welfare case file(s). 3 3 4 ILP Contact List DHS main number 631-6000 Dan Miller, Supervisor 631-6841 Jennifer Robbins, Emancipated youth worker 636-4244 Mary Gutierrez, Transitional Housing Coordinator 636-4482 Anne Twist 631-6854 Keith Hollins 631-6859 Stacy Loyd 631-6858 Yolanda Covian 631-6206 Rene Hernandez 631-6317 Current ILP News • There will be no CSUB Summer Life Skills Classes at CSU Bakersfield this summer due to construction being done at the dorms. Sorry to all those looking forward to this event, but hopefully that means the dorms will be much nicer for us next year! • The GET Summer Youth Pass is now here for youth age 18 and under. The Summer Pass is good from June-August for unlimited rides- Ask your ILP worker or go to the Dream Center to get one. Dream Center • The Dream Center is an innovative resource center for foster youth. Youth can receive assistance with education, employment, and community resource needs. • All emancipated youth will find their ILP Workers, Jennifer Robbins or Mary Gutierrez, at the Dream Center. • Location: 1212 18th Street in downtown Bakersfield Upcoming Events Independent City will be held October 20, 2012 at Bakersfield College Teen Success Program for pregnant or parenting young women under 18 ILP Money Matters workshop will be held August 15 Youth workshops at Garden Pathways: July 16-Self Esteem/Goal setting, September 17-Becoming Independent/Budgeting • See page 4 for more information • • • • Important Deadlines • SENIORS!!!!! For those that missed the application deadline for college financial aid (FAFSA), which was March 2, 2012, you can still apply! You may not receive the full financial aid available because you did not submit your application on time, but FAFSA accepts applications all year. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov, or contact your ILP Worker to apply today!!! “Don’t count the days, make the days count” ‐ Muhammad Ali 2 You have Questions? ILP has Answers! I just graduated from high school but I don’t want to go to college. What else can I do to get a good job?” It’s okay if college is not for you. There are many certificate and job training programs in Kern County. Bakersfield College and Taft College have programs such as Automotive, Office Assistant, Computer Science, Vocational Nursing, Welding, and Business to name a few. There’s also training available through Career Services Center, Employers Training Resource and Bakersfield Adult School. All this training is free to low cost! Come to the Dream Center or ask your ILP worker for more information about these and other programs. “I want to change things in foster care. Is there a group I can join that works on foster care issues?” California Youth Connection (CYC) is a youth run nonprofit made up of current and former foster youth ages 14-24. California Youth Connection (CYC) develops leaders who empower each other and their communities to transform the foster care system through legislative and policy change. Youth in CYC get to travel, learn public speaking skills and meet many youth in foster care across California. If you are interested in attending a meeting or get more information, call Olivia at the Dream Center- 636-4488 “I need condoms but I can’t afford them and I’m embarrassed to ask- is there a place where I can get them for free?” Yes! There are condoms at the Dream Center at no cost. The Dream Center is a condom access site for Kern County and receives condoms from the California Department of Public Health, STD Control Branch. Planned Parenthood also gives out free condoms and also provides birth control, STD and pregnancy testing and more- FOR FREE- No Judging, No questions! ASSEMBLY BILL 12 – EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2012 AB12 extends foster care for eligible youth until age 20 and then 21 if additional funding is approved. Participation in extended foster care after age 18 under AB12 is voluntary. Eligible youth must agree to meet one or more of the following requirements: completing high school or equivalent program (i.e. GED); enrolled in college, community college or vocational training program; participating in a program designed to remove barriers to employment; employed at least 80 hours a month; unable to do one of the previously mentioned requirements because of a medical condition. For More Information Check Out the Following Web Sites: www.kcdhs.org/ilp www.after18ca.org www.facebook.com/after18california 3 Congratulations to all ILP youth that graduated! Many of you are going on to colleges throughout California or have other plans that will help you become more independent- We are so proud of all of you! Zaira A. Antione A. Dion A. Teayana A. Candelaria A. Keyan A. Brenda A. Anthony A. Hurit B. Nathan B. Mathew B. Brandon B. Virginia B. Dolores B. Joseph B. Juan C. Tyler C. Bryanna C. Felicia C. Bryce C. Lorenzo C. Rachel C. Cyle D. Dustin D. Kathy D. Naomi D. Alexander E. Maria E. George F. Anthony F. Billy G. Ramon G. Santana G. Kristi G. LaShay G. Alissa G. Petra G. Ines G. Elijah H. Albert H. Shylo H. Shaquille H. Tarrance H. Joseph J. Kyle J. Zachary K. Shaquail K. Korrin K. Maria K. Melissa L. Priscilla L. Bradley L. Zachariah L. Marina L. Angel M. Vicky M. Jorge M. Greg M. Fritzie M. Gricelda M. Amber M. Jerald M. Laura M. Jacob N. Joseph N. Mandi N. Octavia O. Alissa Taylor Jennylynne P. Aricka P. Mary Jane Q. Albert R. Sarah R. Benjamin R. Tawny R. Daniel R. Jesus R. Joshua S. Aurora Priscilla S. Alicia S. Snowflake S. Martha S. Vanessa S. Adam T. Gloria T. Naomi V. Kevin V. CelesteV. Pettrice V. Angelica V. Zachary W. Johnny W. John W. Travaris W. Montell W. Genevieve Z. 4 Job Links! www.caljobs.ca.gov www.cacareerzone.org www.monster.com www.myjobsearchnow.com www.labormarketinfo.edd.ca.gov/?pageid=3 www.job.com www.bakersfieldcalifornia.com/jobs www.careerbuilder.com/jobs www.jobspider.com www.jobisland.com Call your ILP worker for any possible job leads!! Upcoming Events Teen Success Program is a weekly support group for pregnant or parenting young women under 18. Benefits include: •Cash incentives •Child care and snacks •Scholarship opportunities •Call Natasha at Planned Parenthood for more information- (661) 334-4416 “Money Matters” ILP workshop •8/15 from 4-6 p.m. at Department of Human Services •Learn about budgeting, credit, fraud, banking and other things about money that you need to know! Youth workshops provided by Garden Pathways, 2116 P Street, Bakersfield •July 16- Self Esteem/Goal setting •Sept. 17-Becoming Independent/Budgeting •4-6 p.m. •Contact your ILP worker if you are interested in attending Independent City 2012 •Saturday, October 20, 2012 •Bakersfield College •More information will be coming soon!! 5