The information in this program outline is provided by the program representative and edited by the CEBC staff. The Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP) program has been reviewed by the CEBC in the area of: Youth Transitioning Into Adulthood, but lacks the necessary research evidence to be given a Scientific Rating.

• Types of Maltreatment: Does not target any specific kind of maltreatment
• Target Population: Foster youth ages 16 to 21. In addition, the program is designed to allow teen parents to participate.

ILP, developed by Orangewood Children's Foundation, provides workshops, special events, and support services to foster youth between the ages of 16-21 to help prepare them for emancipation. Each month ILP focuses on one of four key areas:

• Education
• Career
• Relationships
  
• Daily Living

• The Orangewood Children's Foundation (OCF) runs the Independent Living Program (ILP). In addition to ILP, many programs designed to serve the emancipating youth population (i.e., housing, scholarships, drop-in center, Independent Living Coaches, youth leadership opportunities, etc.) are available.
• ILP workshop topics and homework assignments are related to four main subjects: Education, Relationships, Daily Living, and Career. Examples of workshops include job search, financial aid, transitional housing, college tours, and parenting (for youth with children of their own).
• Youth can earn OCF Dollars by attending ILP workshops and events, participating at these workshops and events, completing homework assignments, and submitting artwork and poetry for the ILP newsletter. The money they earn is tracked in the program's database and held for them in their OCF bank account to make purchases. They are allowed to purchase a maximum of one $50 dollar gift certificate each month. Gift certificates are available for grocery stores, clothing stores, multipurpose stores, malls, electronics stores, and furniture stores. They can also use their money to pay rent, bills, etc. This system does not give them immediate financial gratification (i.e., it can take two weeks to get the gift card after requesting one) and allows them to save money. Staff can also discuss money management with youth when they request purchases.
• Workshops are provided during nights and weekends to accommodate for youth school/work schedules. These monthly ILP workshops are also available for Spanish-speaking youth and emancipated youth.
• Peer Mentors help teach the youth independent living skills. Peer Mentors run the second half of each workshop by utilizing small discussion groups to go over curriculum developed by the supervising ILP Coordinator. Peer Mentors are former foster youth who have recently emancipated from the foster care system. The Peer Mentors are also positive role models for the youth and are able to establish a strong rapport and credibility with them.
• Pre & Post tests and feedback forms are utilized at each workshop to gauge impact and interest.
• All of the program's workshops, events, youth attendance, client OCF dollars, feedback forms, pre & post tests, peer mentor attendance, etc. are inputted in the program's client database.
• Food is provided at each workshop and event; ILP holds special events throughout the year, such as Independent City, Career Fair and ILP Graduation.
• Independent City: A mock city where foster youth simulate living independently is created. They can get a job, develop a budget, buy groceries, get an apartment, sign up for utilities, learn about the importance of credit, and learn about how educational opportunities may affect their income. Some youth are issued ‘babies' and have to factor day care into their budget.
• ILP Graduation: All high school graduates (diploma or GED) are recognized with a ceremony, scholarship awards, and a dinner/dance.

Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP) was designed with a child component that addresses the following presenting problems and symptoms:

• Youth aging out of foster care.

Age range: 16 – 21

Developmental Delays:

This program was not developed for children with developmental delays, and has not been tested for children with developmental delays.

Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP) was not designed with a parent/caregiver component.

Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP) was designed to be conducted in a group setting; but has not been tested for use in a group setting.

Recommended group size:

30-40 youth.

Recommended Intensity:

Multiple workshops are held one Saturday morning per month and on periodic Tuesday and Thursday evenings.

Recommended Duration:

Workshops last three hours. There is no recommended duration. Youth can come to any workshop they wish to attend as long as they are between the ages of 16 to 21.

This program is typically conducted in a(n):

• Community Agency

Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP) includes a homework component:

Homework assignments are passed out at workshops and can be distributed independently of workshops. They are non-mandatory assignments, and youth receive monetary incentives for completing homework. Completed homework assignments range from $1 to $10. Youth are allowed to complete a maximum of 5 homework assignments per day.

Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP) does not have materials available in a language other than English.

The typical resources for implementing the program are:

Personnel needed:

• Program Supervisor (1.0 FTE)
• Three Independent Living Coordinators (1.0 FTE)
• One Program Special Events Coordinator (.5 FTE)
• One Peer Mentor Coordinator (.5 FTE)

Facilities needed:

• Training Center (60 person capacity) with A/V, chairs, and tables

Program Coordinator:
Bachelor's degree in sociology, social work, education, or related field; and one to two years experience in the human services field.

Program Supervisor:
Master's degree in social work, psychological counseling, or related field; and one to two years of progressive casework experience in public or private organization.

There is not a manual that describes how to implement this program; but there is training available for this program.

Training Contact:

• Mike McKenzie, ILP Supervisor
  Orangewood Children's Foundation
  phone: (714) 619-0212

Training is obtained:

Via phone consultation.

Number of days/hours:

Informal training/consultation is available to those who are interested.

This program has been reviewed and it was determined that this program lacks the type of published, peer-reviewed research that meets the CEBC criteria for a scientific rating of 1 – 5. Therefore, the program has been given the classification of "NR - Not able to be Rated." It was reviewed because it was identified by the topic expert as a program being used in the field, or it is being marketed and/or used in California with children receiving services from child welfare or related systems and their parents/caregivers. Some programs that are not rated may have published, peer-reviewed research that does not meet the above stated criteria or may have eligible studies that have not yet been published in the peer-reviewed literature. For more information on the "NR - Not able to be Rated" classification, please see the Scientific Rating Scale.

Child Welfare Outcomes: Not Specified

Currently, there are no published, peer-reviewed research studies for Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP).

No reference materials are currently available for Independent Living Program-Orangewood (ILP).