Virginia Independent Living Services

About this resource

Youth Services, also called the Independent Living Program, helps youth in foster care ages 14–21 get ready for life on their own. The program focuses on building important life skills through fun and meaningful activities based on each person’s needs. It helps with things like building confidence, making good decisions, managing emotions, solving problems, and improving communication. Youth also learn practical skills like how to explore careers, find a job, manage money, find housing, get around, and understand legal responsibilities.

What Services Does the Independent Living Program (ILP) Offer?

The ILP offers a variety of services to help youth in foster care build the skills they need for a successful future. These services include:

  • Education Support: Help with finishing high school, getting a GED, or going to college. This can include help with tuition, admission fees, school supplies, tutoring, and more.

  • Job & Career Training: Support with job readiness, finding and keeping a job, and learning skills to become more independent and confident in the workplace.

  • Daily Living Skills: Training in budgeting, managing money, finding housing, career planning, and getting essential items like household supplies or help turning on utilities.

  • Counseling: One-on-one or group counseling to support emotional well-being and personal growth.

  • Workshops & Events: Opportunities to attend trainings, retreats, conferences, and workshops that help build life and leadership skills.

  • Teamwork with Other Services: Working together with other programs and agencies to make sure youth get all the help they need.

  • Outreach: Connecting with youth to let them know about available ILP services and how to get involved.

Who can use this resource (eligibility)?

Youth in foster care can start getting Independent Living Program (ILP) services at age 14 and can keep receiving help until they turn 21—as long as they’re still in the care of a local social services agency. This includes youth living in foster homes, group homes, or residential treatment centers.

You don’t have to be in a specific program like Fostering Futures to get support. If a young person can benefit from learning life skills, they should be offered ILP services. In some cases, youth can even keep getting help after they leave foster care, as long as they’re under 21.