The Independent Living Skills Program is designed for current and former foster youth from the ages of 16 -21 to promote independence by providing services and education about daily living. ILP uses mentoring and classroom experiences to teach youth and young adults about a large variety of subjects, such as money management, building self-esteem, getting a job, grocery shopping, etc. 

Classes are held Thursdays from 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm. Contact ILSP Supervisor, Cerre Knox, at (707) 463-7868 or knoxc@mendocinocounty.org.

ILP funds are used to promote independence for current and former foster youth, such as: 

• Financial assistance with college or vocational school
• Educational resources
• Transportation Housing (Transitional Housing)
• Employment
• Daily living skills
• Money management
• Decision making
• Building self-esteem

To be eligible for ILP, you must have been in foster care at any time from your 16th birthday to your 19th birthday, placed in out of home care by your tribe between your 16th and 19th birthday, you were a former foster youth placed in a kinship guardianship at any age and received Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP) between the ages of 16 and 18, or you were a former foster youth placed in non-related legal guardianship (NRLG) after age 8 and are or did receive permanent placement services.