Citizens for Safe Schools Acquires Klamath County's Independent Living Program!

About: 

Citizens for Safe Schools has inherited Klamath County's Independent Living Program (ILP)- a program that helps young people ages 14-23 in Klamath County who are transitioning from foster care to being self-sufficient: skills training to independent living. This wide-reaching resource is 100% free for eligible foster youth all over Klamath County, and can help current and previous foster youth financially and skills building-wise in areas including (but not limited to):

• Employment- writing resumes, interview skills, career exploration, applying for jobs, work ethic, professionalism, work attire, etc.
• Education- Driver's Ed help, surviving high school, homework help, college/trade school applications, applying for financial aid, college tours, GED incentives, etc.
• Finances- opening a bank account, creating budgets, credit scores, taxes, saving strategies, debt management, paying bills, banking basics, car payments, etc.
• Housing- Subsidy/CHAFEE Housing, finding and applying for apartments, education about renting and utilities, being a good tenant, being a good roommate, tenant rights, housekeeping, meal planning, homelessness prevention, etc.
• Health- Getting on OHP/Medicaid, mental health resources, making appointments, keeping a healthy lifestyle, healthy relationships & boundaries, conflict resolution, romantic relationships, health education and risk prevention, quitting smoking/vaping
• Fun Group Outings- monthly group outings for personal growth and social development. Kayaking, bowling, skating, exploring cultural connection, getting involved in the community, and so much more!

Who Is Eligible?

• 14-23 year-olds currently in substitute (foster) care or one of the 9 federally recognized Tribes in Oregon
• 14-23 year-old previous foster youth with 180 days of consecutive placement after age 14 in foster care  
• Must be able to commit to meeting 1:1 with ILP coordinator once monthly for an hour and have interest in participating in group facilitation once monthly for an hour (transportation available!)

How To Get Involved

• Case Workers:
  • Fill Out ILP Referral Form CF0080 (Linked In Helpful Resources below)
  • Attach current Youth Transition Plan CF0069A DHS Form and current Youth Assessment Summary  CF0069A Form
  • Send all of this in an email to sfernandez@citizensforsafeschools.org
• Current Foster Youth:
  • Contact your case worker!
• Aftercare Youth
  • Contact your case worker (if you have one) or fill out our ILP Contact Form (click to access) and we'll reach out to you!

Questions? Unsure About Eligibility? Contact Us!

• If you have questions or just want to chat, feel free to give ILP Coordinator Samantha Fernandez a call or text at 541-205-2987, or shoot her an email at sfernandez@citizensforsafeschools.org

Helpful Resources