The Independence Living Programme (ILP)

It has been observed that children who grow up in the Child and Youth Care Centre’s (CYCC) become too reliant on caregivers to manage their lives, therefore the program aims to:

• ​​Provide transitional experience for children who will be discharged from alternative care
• To assist children, make most of their abilities while learning to live independently​
• Ensure that when the children are discharge from the independent living program, they are able to live independently

OBJECTIVES OF ILP

• To teach independence living skills to children ages 10-24years to overcome lack of confidence and ultimately be self sufficient  ​
• To prepare children for independence while in the CYCC and also in the continuum of care by teaching them financial management, household care, write CV and obtain a drivers ‘s license ​​
• To support youth above 21 years who are still pursuing their first academic qualification
• To provide children with entrepreneurial skills by linking them with internal programs within GDSD and external resources such as corporate internships and training through sustainable livelihoods program 

​EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Young adults to be independent which entails being able to care for themselves without being told to so , making decisions independently and taking responsibility for those decisions
• ​To create responsible young adults to be integrated into communities ​
• Young adults to contribute towards developing the economy and their society at large​

TARGET GROUP

• Children within 10 to 24 years of age​
• Children not able to return to or live in their family home or another home setting for several reasons ​
• Children who are still busy with their academic studies​
• Children that are enrolled for life skills, entrepreneurial skills and behavior modification program. 

NB All groups are inclusive of children living with disability​

The program will be delivered in three groups of children in alternative care:​ Group 1​

• Children aged 10-21 years​
• Do not have complex case or behavioral problems​
• To be prepared and transitioned into step-down facility

Group 2​

• Children aged 10-21 years​
• With complex case, behavioral problems, substance abuse etc.​
• To be enrolled for behavior modification program in the CYCC as part of preparation for transitioning into step-down facility 

Group 3 ​

• Children aged 11-15 years​
• Who will participate in the preparation of being independent to be transitioned into family-based care​
• Post placement support to follow through once transitioning takes place to ensure sustainability​