Youth or Alumni Group
Health care
Emergency support
Housing
Life skills
Independent Living Program
Rights in Foster Care

Montana Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

About this resource

Services Offered:

Life skills instruction
Educational/Vocational Assistance
Transitional living plans
Life skills assessments
Mentors
Youth Advisory Board
Education and Training Vouchers through Reach Higher Montana
Other College Resources for Foster Youth

Assistance with:

Obtaining a graduation equivalency degree, or GED;
Obtaining a high school diploma;
Accomplish other educational achievements;
Acquiring volunteer experience;
Satisfactory school performance;
Enrolling in life skills groups;
Enrolling in other activities intended to increase life skills and employability; and
Obtaining full- or part-time employment.

Stipends

Stipends are available for youth ages 14 to 21 whose transitional living plans indicate they need help paying for:

Secondary school educational expenses, such as tuition, tutoring, books, or driver’s education;
Vocational training, including apprenticeships;
Job readiness assistance, such as preparing a resume, buying appropriate interview clothing, haircuts, etc.;
Travel costs to school or job sites; and
Setting up a dormitory room or apartment, including purchase of furniture, kitchen supplies, deposits, etc.

For more information about the Foster Care Independence Program, contact the Child and Family Services Division at (406) 841-2449 or email Synda Savage.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the CFCIP, a youth must be:

  • Between the ages of 14-21, currently in foster care, likely to "age out" of the foster care system, has aged out of the foster care system or has achieved guardianship or adoption after the age of 16.