Independent Living
All children and youth need to learn basic life skills in order for them to become successful adults. When a child is placed in foster care, independent living services are required once they reach a certain age. If you're looking for housing assistance, funding for college, or career counseling, we can connect you to local resources and help you gain necessary life skills.
We Can Help.
We can connect you to supportive services and career and educational resources to help you adjust to living independently and make the best decisions for your future.
Supportive Services
We can help kickstart your independent living by providing resources for:
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Housing
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Transportation
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Childcare
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Apartment Start-up Kits
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Financial Literacy
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General Community Resources
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Basic Necessities
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Mentorships
Education
If you want to continue your education, we can connect you to:
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High School Completion Programs
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Postsecondary Education Options
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Scholarship & Funding for Trainings/Certifications
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Books and School Supplies
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Career Exploration
Career
To help you begin working or exploring careers, we can prepare you with:
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Career Planning
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Employment Connections
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Leadership Development Opportunities
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Job Readiness Skills (mock interviews, resume building, etc.)
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Work Supplies and/or Equipment
The general eligibility criteria for the Young Adult Independent Living program services are:
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Adoption after the age of 16;
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Chapter 48 guardianship after the age of 16; or
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Exit from a court-ordered qualifying placement type at age 18 or older.
Download this PDF for more in-depth eligibility criteria. Visit the Department of Children & Families for more info.
Eligibility Criteria
In-Depth Services May Include:
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Career exploration and planning
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Getting and keeping a steady job
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Money management
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Housing tips and resources
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Understanding medical coverage
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Prepping for job interviews
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Education support - high school, college, technical training, apprenticeships
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Awareness of community resources and support systems
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Creating and keeping lifelong connections with supportive adults
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Creating goals for the future
Youth Advisory Council
Independent Living not only provides services to help youth who are transitioning out of foster care, it also allows for social connections between youth also in the program through YAC.
The Youth Advisory Council (YAC) began in 2005 and consists of current and former foster care young adults. YAC’s mission is to inspire change by addressing foster care issues. Members advocate and educate governmental systems and the public on issues surrounding the foster care system at monthly meetings. These meetings also serve as a convening for youth to learn about available resources to them and engage in team-building discussions and activities. YAC members begin on regional councils but have the ability to become members of the Statewide Council.
Learn what YAC is all about from its members!
ETV Scholarship
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How much Brighter Star funding can I get?Eligible youth can receive up to $5,000 per academic year up to their school’s total cost of attendance and is based on available funds. You must work with your IL Coordinator to apply for the Brighter Star award each semester. Funding is not automatically applied to your school-related costs. The award cannot exceed your cost of attendance. Generally, the award is disbursed in two increments (up to $2,500 per semester) per academic year. Typically, Brighter Star funding is applied to your school directly to pay tuition, fees, room/board and other authorized charges. In some cases, ETV funds can be paid to you directly. Consult with your IL Coordinator for more information.
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What can Brighter Star funds be used for?We know education needs vary. Some things that Brighter Star can be used for are: tuition, housing, school supplies, computers, childcare costs, transportation, computers, and books.
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How do I apply for Brighter Star funding?- You must apply for Federal Student Aid via the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form every year. Financial aid awards (e.g. Federal Pell Grants) will be applied to the cost of attendance before ETV funding can be applied to educational costs. - You must also be ready to provide proof of enrollment in an approved school or program and other documentation as requested. - You will also need to meet with your IL Coordinator to complete a scholarship request form.
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What should I do to maintain my ETV scholarship eligibility?You accept responsibility for doing what is needed to maintain funding. This includes being responsive to your IL Coordinator, meeting required deadlines and/or providing needed documentation. You must maintain good academic standing; academic remediation plans may be required.
The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) is also called the Brighter Star scholarship in Wisconsin. It’s here to help with higher education expenses for eligible youth up to age 23.
Let's Talk.
Contact a representative near you. If you are not located in these counties, check out this map from the Department of Children and Families for a contact near you.
Columbia, Dodge, Marquette & Sauk Counties
Amber Scarborough
608.669.3884
ascarborough@wdbscw.org
Dane & Jefferson Counties
Pricilla Reyes
608.279.5653
preyes@wdbscw.org
Waukesha County
Lauren Friedl
262.695.8042
lfriedl@forwardcareers.org
Ozaukee & Washington Counties
Cindy Hinckley
262.335.5309
chinckley@forwardcareers.org
Grant, Green, Iowa, Lafayette, Richland & Rock Counties
Jodi Rich
608.247.8473
j.rich@swwdb.org
Miranda Addison
608.732.3021
m.addison@swwdb.org
Resources
If you are seeking additional support, here are some resources related to housing, childcare, mental health, and more. For a more comprehensive list of available resources, please visit our Community Resources page.
211 is a one-stop, free, and confidential connection to the local services people need, such as utility assistance, housing, food, elder care, crisis intervention, alcohol and other drug recovery, and much more.
ACCESS
ACCESS is an online tool that allows Wisconsin residents to apply for and manage state benefits and programs such as FoodShare, BadgerCare Plus, Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program and more, all in one place.
Bayview Foundation Community Center
Bayview offers a variety of programs that support physical and mental health such as yoga and zumba as well as social and cultural programs. They can also provide services and supports in the areas of financial assistance, family support, citizenship, food access, energy assistance, and much more.
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council
Central Wisconsin Community Action Council Inc. mission is to develop opportunities for people and communities to realize their potential by providing resources and comprehensive services for housing, transportation, education, and more to empower those to become self-sufficient and independent.
Domestic Abuse Intervention Services (DAIS)
DAIS strives to empower those affected by domestic violence by advocating for social change through support, education, and outreach. To make this happen, we offer a wide array of crisis intervention and community education/prevention programs, including a 24-hour Help Line, programming for children from violent homes, legal advocacy, support groups, and emergency safety planning.
The Foundation for Rural Housing serves low-income households. Programs offered are assistance for security deposit, delinquent rent, foreclosure counseling and assistance, short term crisis lending, home repair and resources for basic needs.
Neighborhood House offers a plethora of programs and services including: in-person food pantry, youth & teen summer camps, after-school programs, mentoring, meeting spaces for community groups & organizations, wellness and enrichment classes for adults, social programming for adults with disabilities, technology lab, transportation assistance, community meals, neighborhood events, and much more!
Universities of Wisconsin System - Fostering Success
The Universities of Wisconsin Fostering Success Programs provide individualized guidance and resources for youth with lived experience in foster care, homelessness, or who are orphaned or wards of the court with an interest in pursuing higher education.
YWCA Madison provides direct services, empowerment programming, and advocacy to support marginalized individuals and families, especially women and girls of color, while working to challenge structural barriers to equity.