Independent Living: Building Life Skills

Often, students who spend extended periods of time in the mental health or social service system are completely unprepared for adult life. In the absence of parental modeling, skills such as balancing a checkbook, applying for college, and securing housing are not acquired. Consequently, many students who age out of foster care or social service programs are more likely to face homelessness, incarceration, substance abuse problems, early pregnancy, and many other issues.

To help combat this problem, Eliada offers Independent Living classes to students in Day Treatment, Residential Treatment, After-School and Therapeutic Foster Care.  The course focuses on necessary skills required to live independent of these services.  Courses are offered in sections such as Healthy Living, Housing, Financial Literacy, Community Resources, Transportation, Employment, and Further Education Financial Resources. Guest Speakers from community resource agencies are used to supplement Eliada staff instructors.  Field trips at the culmination of each section are facilitated to enhance the course work and guest lectures.

If you would like to be a guest lecturer in the Independent Living program, contact Laura Elliot by phoning 828.273.1290 or via email at lelliot@eliada.org.