The Independent Living Skills Program provides services to youth still in foster care between the ages of 16 through 21. The primary focus of the Contra Costa County’s ILSP program is to identify all eligible youth and provide emancipation services and resources to all youth with the goal of preparing them for responsible adulthood and independence.

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Centrally located in Martinez, California, ILSP has a 10,000 square foot Independent Living Skills Youth Center.  Our building houses the ILSP direct service staff and social workers, we have a library, a classroom, a computer lab, and a free clothes closet for youth to utilize.  We also  have a kitchen that is used as a break room and where cooking classes are offered periodically.

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The ILSP office also has a shower that we keep stocked with hygiene products and towels and an emergency food pantry.

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ILSP youth are welcome and encouraged to utilize the computer lab to do homework, check their emails, apply for financial aid, apply for college, look for employment or to research whatever is needed.  They also get assistance with resume writing and personal essay writing.

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Youth can also use the computers to look for apartments and housing options.

Life skills workshops, classes, and activities are offered on most Tuesdays and Wednesdays in three different county locations.

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For more information, please contact any of the ILSP staff at 1(866) 994-4577 (ILSP) toll free.

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The goal of the ILSP center is to give youth a “home away from home” that is warm and welcoming.

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ILSP Brochure

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Persons eligible for services are:

1) All youth age 16 and over for whom foster care maintenance payments are being made under title IV-E;

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2) Any youth age 16 and over who are in foster care (non-IV-E eligible) under the responsibility of the State (including but not limited to non-IV-E eligible youth residing in kinship care who are in receipt of family reunification and/or permanent placement services;

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3) All former foster care youth who were in foster care after the age of 16. Youth are eligible for ILSP services up to age 21.

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The phrase “in foster care” is defined as any child on whose behalf a State or Federal Aid to Families with Dependent Children-Foster Care (AFDC-FC payment is being made and/or who is receiving Family Reunification or Permanent Placement services.)

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Wards of guardians and probation youth age 16 and older who are in foster care are eligible for ILSP service on whose behalf a State or Federal AFDC-FC payment is being made and/or who is receiving Family Reunificaton or Permanent Placement services.

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Services are provided on an “as needed” basis to ensure that the youth are meeting their goals. For more information about services and eligibility, please call (925) 957-2400.