Our Independent Living Program provides youth ages 18 to 21 with apartment living, meals, and supportive services. This program is designed to help young people graduate high school, pursue post-secondary education, and develop career skills, empowering them to transition successfully into independent adulthood.
Child Crisis Arizona operates Halle House, an independent living housing apartment complex for young adults 18 to 21 who have elected to stay in the foster care system. These young adults who have a case plan of Independent Living have the opportunity to practice typical apartment life with the guidance and support of program staff.
Each young adult enrolled in the program follows guidelines like keeping their apartment clean, obeying a curfew, attending school or a job, participating in counseling and attending group life skills courses. The young adults can live in the program until they age out of foster care at age 21 or when they become self sufficient. The program can house up to 15 youth.
Youth must be referred to this program through a case manager.
These are kids who have been through so much and could have easily given up, but they are here, and they are trying, and they are motivated to be successful, despite what they have been through. Every day I get to hear their small successes whether it’s finally saving $100 or going grocery shopping for the first time or learning to make a meal they’ve never made before… We work to earn their trust and when they come to us, we know we’ve made it.”
In Maricopa County, Safe Place is run by Child Crisis Arizona and connects youth with safety, shelter and support. Space is reserved within the Independent Living Program for youth ages 12-17 who have runaway, are homeless or seeking immediate help and safety from crisis. Safe Place is a national outreach and prevention program that designates community partners as Safe Place locations, such as QuikTrip and Valley Metro. A youth who comes to a Safe Place location seeking help is provided shelter until a safe alternative can be found.
More information on the program can be found at nationalsafeplace.org or by calling the 24-hour Crisis Line 602-841-5799.
