PATHWAYS TO INDEPENDENCE

The following is a checklist of tasks for you to complete in order to reach independence:

______ Acquire Social Security card (learn skills of how and where to get one)

______ Acquire Birth Certificate (learn skills of how and where to get one, safe place to store)

______ Acquire State Identification (learn skills of how and where to get one)

______ Maintain annual physical, dental, vision and hearing exams and comply with recommended treatment

______ Establish effective family planning and STD prevention plan

______ Manage your apartment (learn how to find, lease, set-up, and manage your household)

______ Comply with the terms of the lease by limiting houseguests, reporting concerns to the landlord,     maintaining  a clean and safe home

______ Become capable of completing financial aid application, employment applications, accessing community resources
______ Complete educational needs assessment and school enrollment for college or vocational program

______ Acquire school transcripts and diploma if needed

______ Vocational assessment, job search, and long term employment

______ Attend school as scheduled and complete assignments on time

______ Maintain employment by going to work as scheduled and following work rules

______ Establish a bank account and maintain a positive balance

______ Learn/practice money management skills by establishing and following a budget

______ Pay bills on time

______ Develop a healthy support network, free from domestic violence

______ Explore recreational, group, leisure activities

______ Register to vote

______ Decrease reliance on CSW by completing tasks independently (paying bills, scheduling and attending   appointments, self-transporting)

______ Develop a plan for financial self-sufficiency for life after 21 (emancipation from DCFS)

In addition to your own self-sufficiency, responsible parents must be able to complete the following tasks related to their child or children:

______ Ensure the child’s safety by preventing exposure to illegal activities, domestic violence and individuals who may have histories of child abuse or violent behaviors

______ Maintain appropriate clothing, car seat, sleeping arrangements, and child care supplies (diapers, formula, etc.) at all times

______ Develop adequate childcare arrangements with consideration of the child’s safety and well-being in order for parent to maintain school and work schedules

______ Identify emergency child care plan in case of primary caregiver absence

______ Obtain legal documents (paternity, birth certificate and social security card)

______ Follow recommended pediatric guidelines for health care services

______ Obtain regular developmental screenings and follow all recommendations

______ Enroll child in age-appropriate educational programs

______ Include child care expenses in budget and plan for future needs

______ Utilize resource such as WIC and child support