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.