Independent Living Program
Training & Employment Consortium’s Independent Living Program is a state-sponsored program to assist current or former foster youth, aged 14 or older, to make the transition from being in care to independence. Our trained staff works closely with the Department of Human Services Child Welfare, who refer eligible youth to TEC for services that cover a range of programs important to youth who are “aging out” of the foster care system.
TEC provides the Independent Living Skill Building Program, which prepares youth to live independently. Youth are assessed for their current knowledge and experience with taking care of themselves on a number of scales, including Self-Care, Daily Living, Career Planning, and Money Management. We assist youth with developing a transition plan based on the assessment, personal interviews, and the input of adults who know the youth well.
In addition, TEC staff helps foster youth by facilitating receipt of ILP Discretionary Funds for items that are necessary for the youth’s transition to work or further education; by helping them access Chafee Education and Training grants and funding for housing expenses.
For more information about the Independent Living Program, contact:
Baker, Union & Wallowa Counties
Jeremy Thomas
Career Specialist
809 W. Jackson Street, Suite 400
Burns, OR 97720
Phone: 541-693-8846; FAX: 541-573-3628
[email protected]
DHS-Child Welfare - Baker County
3165 10th Street, Suite 200
Baker City, OR 97814
Phone: 541-967-2060 FAX: 541-523-7048
DHS-Child Welfare - Wallowa County
104 Litch Street
Enterprise, OR 97828
Phone: 541-426-4558 FAX: 541-426-5873
DHS-Child Welfare - Union County
1607 Gekeler Lane
La Grande, OR 97850
Phone: 541-963-8571 FAX: 541-963-2906
Harney County
Jeremy Thomas
Career Specialist
809 W. Jackson Street, Suite 400
Burns, OR 97720
Phone: 541-693-8846; FAX: 541-573-3628
[email protected]
DHS-Child Welfare - Harney County
809 W. Jackson Street, Suite 200
Burns, OR 97720
Phone: 541-573-2086 FAX: 541-573-1538
Grant County
Sunshine Smarr
Career Specialist
120 S Washington St
Canyon City, OR 97820
Phone: 541-693-8955; FAX: 541-575-2344
[email protected]
DHS-Child Welfare - Grant County
725 W Main Street
John Day, OR 97845
Phone: 541-575-0728 FAX: 541-575-0656
Malheur County
Lisa Norton
Workforce Programs Manager
375 SW 2nd Avenue
Ontario, OR 97914
Phone: 541-318-7955; FAX: 541-889-8437
[email protected]
DHS-Child Welfare - Malheur County
186 East Lane, Suite 3
Ontario, OR 97914
Phone: 541-889-9194 FAX: 541-889-9588