Who This Program Supports

This program supports youth and young adults ages 16 to 22. Youth and young adults in ILS may have social competency deficits, emotional and behavioural problems, mental health issues, and developmental challenges. Youth require support both in developing appropriate adaptive skills and self-direction necessary for future independence.

Our Approach

Typically, an individual’s participation in ILS will include support with:

• Developing social skills
• Community access
• Planning and preparing meals
• Budgeting and financial management
• Household management
• Guidance in life planning
• Emotional support and informal counselling
• Recreational activities
• Advocacy

Through various forms of teaching and training, youth receive the help and support necessary to learn multiple skill sets which enables independence, fosters self-confidence and develops the necessary skills for independence. Our primary goal is to help provide the skills necessary to develop appropriate community independence.

There are four placement options that include:

• Glenbrook/Killarney/26 Ave Staffed Models: youth reside in 24-hour staffed programs (fourplexes) in the community. Residents live with a roommate or in individual apartments and are provided with a high level of staff support, skill teaching, and clinical support to achieve greater independence.
• Supportive Roommate: youth live with a roommate who is available for support with finances, community access, and skill teaching in a normalized community environment. Youth are typically referred from the staffed homes as a “step down” in support.
• Youth Transitioning to Adulthood (YTA): youth reside in the community in their own apartment and receive weekly support to assist with independent living skills and community access. Youth are typically referred from the Supportive Roommate model as a “step down” in support.
• ILS Work Experience: youth receive support in developing work skills, engaging in meaningful work, participate in skills groups, and earn meaningful wages.

Committed to Excellence

Staff are hired based on cultural similarities to youth served, educational experience, and significant work experience. Staff are intensively trained to work with complex needs youth including trauma-informed practice, crisis management, and completion of the Child and Youth Care provincial certification program.

Youth are provided on-going skills groups, counselling and assessments provided by Masters level clinical practicum students and registered psychologists.

How to Access the Program

Interdependent Living Services is a managed referral program. Referrals are youth in the Children’s Services system in Calgary Region, Stoney Nakoda and T’suu T’ina Family Services.