Pathways - Independent Living Services

INTRODUCTION

Pathways Independent Living Services is a collaborative effort among Youth Network Council, which manages the program; Adapt Community Alternatives, which provides clinical management and consultation; and four community-based youth services agencies: Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center, Universal Family Connection, Youth Outreach Services, and Youth Service Project.

Pathways Independent Living Services is committed to the provision of supportive services which render the following outcomes with 18-to-21-year-old youth who are wards of the State of Illinois:

Permanent, stable, safe and affordable community housing

Pursuit and completion of educational goals

Competitive employment and financial self-sufficiency.

Keeping with the values and service principles of Youth Network Council and each of the program's participating community agencies Client Choice is the core value exercised by having youth choose the location (within Cook County) and apartment in which they will reside.

Pathways Independent Living Services targets youth who are assessed by the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) as having the capacity to live independently, with case management support, with the goal of transitioning to an independent adulthood.

REFERRAL PROCESS

Referrals are made directly to the program by the DCFS Child and Youth Investment Team (CAYIT).

The participant is then screened for eligibility and chooses the general location where she or he desires to live.

Adapt Community Alternatives, the Clinical Managing Agent assigns the client to one of the four Core Service Agencies:

1. Aunt Martha's Youth Service Center
2. Universal Family Connection
3. Youth Outreach Services
4. Youth Service Project

The youth and the Community Support Worker initiate the process of locating an apartment.

SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

Financial support for rent, startup supplies, utilities and other expenses while the youth becomes financially self-sufficient
Educational services, such as tutoring and advocacy
Vocational services, such as assessment of interests, skills and aptitude, job readiness and job search skills training and job coaching

Skills Training
Case Management and Substance abuse/chemical dependence Relapse Prevention

24-hour On-call Crisis services.

Operational Staff to Participant Ratio

In order to provide services and supports at the needed intensity and frequency, our operational staff to client ratio is one to eight. Pathways is capable of working with youth on a daily basis if the need arises.

Collaborative Structure

Youth Network Council is the Contractor with administrative/fiscal responsibilities for Pathways. Youth Network Council is the recipient of funding from DCFS.

Pathways at Adapt Community Alternatives provides screening and assessment to all referred youth, and Adapt Team Leaders coordinate the service provision via a subcontract with the Youth Network Council. Additionally, Pathways at Adapt provides training, quality assurance and utilization review functions.

Youth Network Council subcontracts with the Core Service Agencies to assign Community Support Workers to the Pathways teams and to provide direct supports and services. Core Service Agencies are leaders in their respective Child and Adolescent Local Area Networks so as to maximize resources

Service Principles

Youth participants are of paramount importance.
The kind, intensity and frequency of services are flexible dependent upon the individual needs of youth based upon their strengths.
The State of Illinois, DCFS, Youth Network Council, Adapt and Core Service Agencies ensure that ample resources exist to effect service and support implementation and continuance, and that resources are utilized efficiently and effectively.
Services are delivered in the community where clients live, learn, work, socialize and recreate.

For More Information

Contact the Pathways Intake Coordinator:

Tatanisha Esses

Tel: (312) 553-9444

E-mail: tessex@adapt.us