The Independent Living Team serves youth in foster care who are 16-21 and have chosen a goal of Alternative Planned Permanent Living Arrangement (APPLA). These youth are provided guidance while navigating their way into adulthood with support from Case Managers, Case Planners, Skills Builders, and Independent Living workers. These youth are provided with skills for job and vocational development, educational support, life skills, housing support, personal needs support, and clinical services. Youth with a goal of APPLA are placed in a variety of settings which include foster homes, group homes, kinship placements. residential homes, Supervised Independent Living Apartments (SILPs), Supervised Setting programs (SSPs), and College Dorms. The goal of the Independent Living team is to prepare youth to transition out of foster care with the skills to be able to provide for their needs, while maintaining their personal connections and navigating the community they live in. While in foster care, there remains a strong emphasis on building outside support systems so that the youth can turn to their supports when they age out of the system successfully.
Post Independent Living Foster Care Services-
If you are homeless or facing homelessness, you may be eligible for housing support services that will not require you to return to foster care.
If you were formally in foster care, you may be entitled to the following supports:
Housing:
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Fostering Youth Initiative (HUD/Rental Assistance Corp)- In Erie County, this program provides up to 36 months of rental assistance through Rental Assistance Corporation and 36 months of Housing Case Management Services through WNY Independent Living.
Contact: 716-858-1532 or 716-858-1513
- Section 8 Housing Support Services
Melaina Thompson, Housing Specialist
Belmont Housing Resources for WNY, Inc.
2393 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209
(716) 884-7791 x 108 (716) 884-8026 fax
- Rapid Rehousing Services
Compass House RESOURCE CENTER:
1451 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209
Client Services: 716-884-3066
Administrative Offices: 716-886-1351
Fax: 716-886-8387
College Funding Resources:
- Financial Federal Aid (FASFA)- FAFSA? Application | Federal Student Aid
- Fostering Youth to College Success Initiative Foster Youth College Success Initiative | Fostering Youth Success Alliance This resource provide financial support to attend eligible colleges. This resource is stackable with FASFA and Education Training Voucher grants.
- Education Training Voucher (ETV) NYS Education and Training Voucher Program
Medicaid/Managed Care Services:
- Be sure you keep Medicaid/Erie County up to date on your address to be eligible up to the age of 26 (This only applies to youth left foster care at least 1 day after turning 18). If you move out of the county, you will need to reapply in the county of residence. You can contact 716-858-1513 or 716-858-1532 for more information.
Case Management Services:
(These programs are funded by Chafee to help provide support to help with continuing IL support post foster care up the age of 23)- Contact the number(s) below for more information) --
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Gateway Longview Youth Engagement Services
Contact: 716-381-1433
290 Monroe Ave Buffalo Ny 14212
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Our Lady of Victory Way to Life Program
Contact: 716-828-7038
790 Ridge Rd Lackawanna, NY 14218
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Homespace YPrep
Contact:716-970-4198
1030 Ellicott ST Buffalo NY 14209