Independent Living
The Independent Living program is designed to work with youth who have been in Out of Home care or Foster Care, under the supervision of the Department of Children and Families or the County. Independent Living provides youth services and support, which will lead youth to self-sufficiency by assisting them successfully transition into adulthood. Our 5 pillars are Employment, Education, Housing, Health, and Healthy Relationships. To be eligible, youth must be 17-1/2 to 23 years of age. This is a youth-centered program driven to help youth to self-sufficiency.
Services:
- Individual case management and support to former foster-youth to achieve their goals.
- Financial Support
- Life Skills
- Youth Advisory Council
- Brighter Star Scholarship
Serving the following counties:
Region 7
- Ashland
- Barron
- Burnett
- Douglas
- Iron
- Polk
- Price
- Rusk
- Sawyer
- Taylor
- Washburn
Region 6
- Barron
- Buffalo
- Chippewa
- Clark
- Crawford
- Dunn
- Eau Claire
- Jackson
- Juneau
- La Crosse
- Monroe
- Pepin
- Pierce
- St. Croix
- Trempealeau
- Vernon
Brighter Star Scholarships
Youth eligible for regional Independent Living services are also eligible to receive Brighter Star, Wisconsin’s Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program when they are enrolled in (or accepted to) an accredited or per-accredited post-high school program. Youth are eligible to receive this $5,000 scholarship every academic year until they turn 23 years old.
https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/youthservices/pdf/brighterstar-etv.pdf
Youth Services Paying for College(wisconsin.gov)
Connect with your local college program:
Youth Advisory Council
Youth eligible for regional Independent Living services, ages 14-26, are able to participate in our regional Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Our YAC’s mission is to amplify youth voices who have real-life experience in the child welfare and youth justice systems. They create support for youth that have similar experiences through collaborative effort of advocacy and awareness. Youth are able to build their leadership skills and professionalism while making a difference and creating change in our region, and have a chance to represent our regions at state meetings.
Region 7 Check out our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/yacregion7
- Ashland
- Barron
- Burnett
- Douglas
- Iron
- Polk
- Price
- Rusk
- Sawyer
- Taylor
- Washburn
Region 6 Check out our Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/914994249857507
- Barron
- Buffalo
- Chippewa
- Clark
- Crawford
- Dunn
- Eau Claire
- Jackson
- Juneau
- La Crosse
- Monroe
- Pepin
- Pierce
- St. Croix
- Trempealeau
- Vernon
State YAC: https://www.facebook.com/wiyac2005
Life Skills
Weekly life skills sessions are provided to assist with money management, housing obtainment/retainment, employability skills, healthy choices, and healthy relationship boundaries.
For more information on the Independent Living Program, please call Crystal Meier at 715.232.7380, extension 2710 or 715-619-6001 or email meierc@workforceresource.org
