Partners

Welcome Service Providers and Future Partners

Increasing opportunities and resources for youths after they leave foster care can help them to be healthy, physically, and emotionally; to be hopeful, optimistic, compassionate, curious and resilient; to be able to form and sustain caring, committed relationships; to be successful in school and workplace; and to be in service to community or society.

This site is a partnership between EPIC ʻOhana, Inc. and the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Human Services.

Overview Of Services For Youth In Transition From Foster Care

The Independent Living Program (ILP) is a partnership between the Hawaiʻi Child Welfare Services Branch (CWSB) and key community-based programs. The goal is to assist and support foster youth, ages 12-18 who are currently in placement through CWS; and former foster youth, ages 18-21 who are transitioning from care into adult self-sufficiency.

ILP is funded at both the federal and state level in accordance with Public Law 106-169, Sec. 477 - John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program.

Purchase of Services (POS) Contracts for ILP Services

CWSB has POS contracts statewide to provide services and support to help the youth develop skills and knowledge, make connections with resources and access transitional living arrangements. Services provided for youth include individualized assessment and service planning based on the needs, strengths and goals of the individual.

ILP Focus For Youths Ages 12-15
The focus is on age and developmentally appropriate skills provided primarily through group process with a focus on the following:

Communication
Self-Identity
Peer Pressure
Decision-Making Skills

ILP Focus For Youths Ages 16-21
For this age range, the services are provided in individual and group sessions for the following developmental focus:

Obtaining a High School Diploma
Career Exploration
Vocational Training
Job Placement and Retention
Budgeting and Financial Management Skills
Substance Abuse Prevention
Preventive Health Activities
Making Connections with Community Resources
Employment Programs
Support with transitional housing ( providers are authorized to spend up to 10% of the total contract on housing support for former foster youth