Independent Living Skills Services

Assesses the youth/young adult’s current readiness for independence and identifies goals and objectives, as defined by the youth/young adult, in order to achieve successful independence.

Offered monthly to the youth/young adults in this program to build competency in necessary skills to ensure success and independence in adulthood. This may include workshops on managing personal finances, employment skills and resume building/interviewing, and housing resources and supports. 

Provides ongoing to help with resource identification, access to and coordination of services to the youth/young adult.

Independent Living Skills are practical life skills taught to youth and young adults to help them transition successfully from foster care to adulthood. At each workshop or camp, RISE Services, Inc. focuses on specific skills and topics that are important to participants and help them build a foundation for self-sufficiency. In Idaho, our services are available to youth aged 14 to 21 who are currently in or have recently aged out of the foster care system.

Our coordinators work with youth to identify their goals and the steps needed to achieve them. This includes assistance with:

• Completing high school or obtaining a GED.
• Applying for college or vocational trade schools.
• Navigating the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program for financial aid.
• Career exploration, resume building, and preparing for job interviews.

Yes. A critical part of our ILS program is housing stability. We assist young adults in understanding the rental process, including how to search for apartments, understand lease agreements, and manage utility payments. For those eligible, we also provide guidance on accessing Foster Care Independence Act funds or other local housing vouchers designed for transition-age youth.

The independent living skills program is designed to be hands-on and covers the essential tasks of daily life, such as:

• Financial Literacy: Setting up a bank account, creating a budget, and understanding credit.
• Health and Wellness: Finding a doctor, managing prescriptions, and learning basic cooking and nutrition.
• Transportation: Learning to use public transit or the steps to obtain a driver’s license and insurance.
• Legal Rights: Understanding personal documentation (Social Security cards, birth certificates) and self-advocacy.

Youth can be referred to our program by their Idaho Department of Health and Welfare (IDHW) caseworker, or they can reach out to us directly if they have already exited care but are under age 21. Once a referral is made, a RISE coordinator will speak with the youth to create a customized “Transition to Adulthood” plan that focuses on their specific needs and interests.