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