Project Life

It is the philosophy of Project LIFE that adolescence is a developmental period wherein certain life skills must be acquired, developed, tested, and applied to real life situations. It is essential that youth be prepared educationally, financially, knowledgeably, and with the proper mental framework in order to succeed independently. The youth needs to learn to more effectively communicate and interact with others, as well as to learn self-reliance on their own problem-solving abilities. The acquisition of these skills will enable an adolescent to successfully and responsibly assume adulthood. Another key factor, instrumental in a successful adjustment from the Project LIFE program to independent living, is for qualified staff and well-trained foster parents to provide understanding, support supervision, and structure. It must be asserted that this is a form of specialized foster care.

Preparation for independent living involves entering the job market in order to understand how to work toward becoming financially self-sufficient. Additionally, entering the job market will allow us to assess a youth’s work ethic and habits. Depending on individual situations, youth may choose to search for full-time or part-time employment.

Those youth who want to complete their high school educations would generally hold part-time jobs while attending school on a full-time basis. Those who work full-time are encouraged to participate in GED preparatory classes if they have not completed their high school education or previously qualified for the GED. Eligible youth are encouraged to participate in county or state job training programs when and where applicable.

Project LIFE homes are staffed by highly trained foster parents who will provide the individual youth with guidance and support. A Case Manager will be assigned to each home and child. Initially, at least weekly contacts will be maintained with both youth and family. Only youth that demonstrate mastery of the greater proportion of these skills will be considered eligible for successful release from the Project LIFE program. Workbooks designed to teach independent living skills to youth are an integral part of The Project LIFE program. IMPACT employs twenty one (21) workbooks designed to help the youth toward competence in the following areas:

1. Career Interest Inventory
2. Employment
3. Transportation
4. Money Management
5. Housing
6. Home Management
7. Leisure Activities
8. Community Resources
9. Relating to Others
10.. Basic education: Insurance, Social Etiquette, Problem Solving Skills, etc…
11. Sex Education
12. Cooking Skills

The completion of workbooks will be an integral part of the programmatic system as well as requirements necessary to complete levels.

All youth are required to complete a seven phase level system. During the first level, the youth are required to learn their way around a new city/town, learn all the rules of the program, gain an understanding of the level and programmatic systems, understand the familial roles and expectations of their foster family, and learn/demonstrate job seeking skills. After becoming familiar with the foster family and local community, the youth are expected to begin their job search. Interviewing skills, job application procedures, and job search techniques are taught. The youth are then encouraged to search for potential jobs themselves. Copies of submitted applications and a general list is kept in order to track and verify progress on this front. In addition to the formal workbook content which targets job search tips and information, IMPACT staff may also assist youth in the actual job search process by providing transportation when possible.

Once the youth have obtained jobs and deposited their first paycheck into a joint interest bearing or custodial savings account, they are then eligible for levels system promotions. Levels II through VI are each designed to last approximately one month. Contingent upon the youth’s adjustment as assessed by our programmatic system and level of trust they have earned, they are rewarded with levels promotions. Each level affords greater freedom, finances, and responsibility, which eventually lead to independence. Level VII is a transition phase whereby a youth has successfully completed the program and is finalizing all arrangements for independence. This phase can take anywhere from one day to a few months, at the discretion of the referring agency.

There is a built-in restitution plan in the Project LIFE program. The youth are required to deposit the majority of their paychecks into a joint interest bearing or custodial savings account, which prevents them from having ready access to their monies. We keep a signed withdrawal form and if the youth runs away, we obtain their monies and forward the entire amount to the juvenile probation department. Additionally, 30% of every paycheck is paid toward restitution by the youth. If the probation department requires more money to be assigned to restitution, we ask that they specify the amount.

Often there are times when drug and alcohol counseling necessitates the use of an outpatient program. When those situations are determined necessary, we will make all the necessary arrangements to see that a youth receives the necessary services. We also use the AA/NA programs within the community. Furthermore, IMPACT uses random urinalysis testing to monitor drug and alcohol usage.