Jill Franklin, Los Angeles County Program Manager for the Foster Children’s Independent Living Program (ILP), will talk about the Foster Children’s programs at the meeting of the East Los Angeles-Montebello Business and Professional Women on Wednesday, May 25, 2022 starting at 5:00 P.M. via Zoom. The program is open to all interested people, but reservations are required to get the Zoom link. Call or E-mail Linda Wilson (626) 307-5650 or lindalwilson@juno.com to make a reservation or for questions.

Franklin will talk about the Independent Living Program (ILP), which provides financial assistance and services to current and former foster and probation youth, 16-20 years of age, who have been determined to be ILP eligible by an ILP Transition Coordinator. Foster youth in high school, college or a vocational program may receive help. They may also qualify for services if they are working or in need of support services or referrals. ILP may be able to assist them in areas such as housing, employment and education. The Youth Development Services Program receives a set budget every year from state and federal government resources. Resources are distributed according to need and not as an entitlement. All services provided are voluntary.

Franklin has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Religious Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara; a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Southern California School of Social Work and a Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California Law Center. She started with the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services as a Departmental Civil Service Representative. After that she became Children’s Services Administrator. In 2016 she became the Program Manager for the Independent Living Program working with foster children/youth ages 16-21. Her program helps foster youth successfully transit from the foster care system to independent adulthood living.