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DCS  > Permanency > Independent Living Program Independent Living Program

"Independent Living" describes a set of services and supports, not a permanency plan. A decision to provide independent living services to a child does not absolve that state from continuing to make reasonable efforts toward permanence for the child. Enrollment in independent living programs can occur concurrently with continued efforts to locate and achieve placements in adoptive families.

The purposes of the Independent Living program are as follows:

  1. Identify children who are expected to be in foster care to age 18 and help them make a transition to self-sufficiency
  2. Help test children receive the education, training and services necessary to obtain employment
  3. Help them prepare for and enter post-secondary training and education institutions
  4. Provide personal and emotional support for children aging out of foster care
  5. Provide a range of services and support for former foster care recipients between ages 18 and 21 to complement their own efforts to achieve self-sufficiency and to assure that the program participants recognize and accept their personal responsibility for preparing for adulthood.

For more information about the Independent Living Program, please contact us:

Skye Berger (DCS Regions 1, 2, & 5) 
Independent Living Specialist
Department of Child Services 
19 East Lincolnway 
Valparaiso, IN 46583 
(219) 462-2112 (W) 
(219) 531-2542 (F) 
 Skye.Berger@dcs.in.gov

Christine Singleton (DCS Regions 3, 4, 6, & 7)
Independent Living Specialist
Department of Child Services
201 E. Rudisill Blvd, Suite 200
Fort Wayne, IN 46806
260-458-6176 (W)
260-458-6175 (F)
Christine.Singleton@dcs.in.gov

Scott Piller (DCS Regions 8-12)
Independent Living Specialist 
Department of Child Services 
4150 North Keystone Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46205
317-968-4356 (W) 
317-968-4770 (F)
Scott.Piller@dcs.in.gov  

Jason Nelson (DCS Regions 13-18)
Independent Living Specialist
Department of Child Services
711 Anson Street
Salem, IN 47167
812-883-4305 (W)
812-883-9834 (F)
Jason.Nelson@dcs.IN.gov

Jennifer Walker
NYTD and Older Youth Initiatives Coordinator
Indiana Department of Child Services
918 16th Street, Suite 100
Bedford, IN 47421
812-277-2044 ext. 10710 (W)
812-279-6950 (Fax)
Jennifer.Walker@dcs.in.gov