Oregon Independent Living Program

ILP Skill-Building Eligibility

ILP Skill-Building is available to you if you are still in foster care or as a former foster youth who meets the eligibility criteria and requests services. It provides training and classes for daily living and educational assistance to prepare youth to live independently. These services are contracted out to local non-profits, for-profits or tribes.

Daily Living Skills - Money management, household maintenance, transportation, legal issues, health, community resources, housing options, personal hygiene, employment readiness.

Educational Assistance - Tutoring, homework/study groups, college tours, financial aid/scholarship applications.

You qualify if you:

• Are currently in ODHS or Tribal foster care

• Are age *16 or older (*currently age 14 for the following counties piloting this program: Benton, Clatsop, Columbia, Gilliam, Hood River, Klamath, Lake, Lincoln, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, Polk,​ Sherman, Tillamook, Wasco, Wheeler and Yamhill. These areas will continue the program through Sep. 30, 2023.​)

• Left child welfare substitute care placement at age 14 or older with at least 180 days (six months) of placement services after age 13

• Are under age 24

• Are in need of ILP services to become self-sufficient and independent

ILP Youth Transition Funds Eligibility​

Funds are intended to assist youth obtain items or services needed to meet goals for transition

You qualify if you:

• Are age 14 or older and in ODHS care, or a former foster child who left child welfare substitute care placement at age 14 or older, with at least 180 days (six months) of placement services after age 13.

How to get services

ILP Discretionary Funds are available to young people currently in foster care. Work with your ODHS or Tribal Nations caseworker to access the funds.

Foster Care Alumni who are not currently connected to Child Welfare or ILP services, may access funds by completing a funding application at: www.FosterClub.com/ORHelp.  A FosterClub Young Adult Navigator (peer navigator) will reach out to assist you with ensuring you have submitted all necessary information and will determine how much funding you may access to help meet your needs.

Independent Living Housing Subsidy Program

The Independent Living Housing Subsidy Program provides up to $795 per month (based on monthly need) for 12 months, after which the amount will gradually decrease for the next 18 months, for a total of 30 months support for transitioning to living interdependently in the community​. If you meet all the eligibility requirements below you may be able to receive Independent Living Housing Subsidy services.

Non-ODHS youth are not eligible for the Independent Living Housing Subsidy program. Youth must be in the care and custody of ODHS.

To qualify, the youth must: 

• Be age *18 or older (exceptions may be granted in some cases for 16-17 year-olds with a detailed explanation and review by the Youth Transitions Program Manager)

• Currently be in the legal care and custody of ODHS child welfare

• Have at least one previous substitute care placement

• Have an ODHS approved plan consisting of 36 hours of activity per week (work, education, volunteer activities or combination of the three)

• Be a high school graduate or actively working towards educational goals

• Be currently enrolled in skill building services, including financial literacy

How to get services

The youth must go before a screening committee to determine readiness and appropriateness. Your ODHS caseworker or ILP worker will be able to help you with this.

For information about types of housing see the: Housing Options Guide Document-Procedure Manual

Chafee Housing

Chafee Housing services provide up to $1,000 per month (based on monthly need) to live independently for a maximum of $12,000, or age 23, whichever comes first. Services vary from state to state so if you plan to leave Oregon, check with a state prior to moving to see if they offer Chafee Housing.

You may not access both the Chafee Housing funds and Chafee Education and Training Grant funds (see below) at the same time unless room and board is not included in a school's cost of attendance. If room and board is not included, then you may be able to simultaneously access both programs.

You may be eligible to receive Chafee Housing if you meet the following:

• Are at least age 18 but not yet 24

• Left child welfare substitute care placement at age 18 or older with at least 180 days (6 months) of placement services after age 13

• Was discharged from ODHS or Tribal Nation custody after turning age 18

• Have a ODHS-approved plan consisting of 36 hours of activity per week (work, education, volunteer activities or combination of the three - must include at least four hours of paid employment)

• Are a high school graduate or actively working towards educational goals

• Are currently enrolled in skill-building services, including financial literacy

How to get services

The youth must go before a screening committee to determine readiness and appropriateness. Your ODHS caseworker or ILP worker will be able to help you with this. ​

Chafee Educati​on​ and Training Grant (ETG)

The Chafee ETG​ assists qualified youths with college, university or training program expenses. A youth may receive up to a maximum of $5,000 per academic year. The amount is based on need and funds available. Youth must be accepted and enrolled in a post-secondary education or training program in order to receive funds. Youth may access the program for up to five years, or prior to the term in which the youth turned 26, and they must reapply every year. Youth must also complete and submit the Ch​afee ETG application and be making satisfactory progress/be in good standing with the school.

Youth may not access both the Chafee Housing funds and Chafee Education and Training Grant funds ​at the same time unless room and board is not included in a school's cost of attendance. If room and board is not included, the youth may be able to simultaneously access both programs. 

For eligibility requirements and how to apply see the Office of Student Ac​cess and Completion (OSAC) website.