Montana Chafee Foster Care Independence Program

The Montana Foster Care Independence Program (CFCIP) is a part of the Child and Family Services Division of the Department of Public Health and Human Services.

Youth in foster care face unique and difficult challenges as they turn eighteen and leave the foster care system. Studies indicate that they are less likely to finish high school and become self-supporting. They are also more likely to be homeless or to become parents at a young age. The CFCIP strives to assist youth in the foster care system by offering benefits to eligible youth in order to avoid these circumstances.

The services offered by the CFCIP are intended to help Montana foster youth get the life skills they need to make a successful transition into adulthood. By assisting youth in achieving self-sufficiency and obtaining future goals, the MCFCIP enables youth in the foster care system create a healthy lifestyle and a successful future.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the CFCIP, a youth must be:

• Between the ages of 14-21, currently in foster care, likely to "age out" of the foster care system, has aged out of the foster care system or has achieved guardianship or adoption after the age of 16.

Programs

Services Offered:

• Life skills instruction
• Educational/Vocational Assistance
• Transitional living plans
• Life skills assessments
• Mentors
• Youth Advisory Board
• Education and Training Vouchers through Reach Higher Montana
• Other College Resources for Foster Youth

Assistance with:

• Obtaining a graduation equivalency degree, or GED;
• Obtaining a high school diploma;
• Accomplish other educational achievements;
• Acquiring volunteer experience;
• Satisfactory school performance;
• Enrolling in life skills groups;
• Enrolling in other activities intended to increase life skills and employability; and
• Obtaining full- or part-time employment.

Stipends

Stipends are available for youth ages 14 to 21 whose transitional living plans indicate they need help paying for:

• Secondary school educational expenses, such as tuition, tutoring, books, or driver’s education;
• Vocational training, including apprenticeships;
• Job readiness assistance, such as preparing a resume, buying appropriate interview clothing, haircuts, etc.;
• Travel costs to school or job sites; and
• Setting up a dormitory room or apartment, including purchase of furniture, kitchen supplies, deposits, etc.

For more information about the Foster Care Independence Program, contact the Child and Family Services Division at (406) 841-2449 or email Synda Savage.