Juvenile Services

Independent Living Program

Chafee Independent Living Program (ILP)

ILP services focus on helping youth who are or were in foster care placement after the age of 14 become self-sufficient adults. ILP services include, but are not limited to these services:

• Educational: Tutoring, high school or GED completion, college preparation and alternative education
• Employment: Job readiness training, job search, and vocational assessment
• Life Skills: Includes topics such as food management, health, housekeeping, money management, community resources, legal skills, and transportation
• Housing: Dependent upon individual and their circumstance
• Transitional Plans: Includes making plans for future educational, housing, and vocational goals

Education and Training Vouchers (ETV)

Youth are eligible for an ETV if they meet the following criteria:

• Have a high school diploma or completed HiSET and attend an accredited school that:
  • Awards a Bachelor’s degree or not less than a two (2) year program that provides credit towards a degree;
  • Provides no less than one (1) year of training towards gainful employment; and/or
  • Is a vocational program which provides training for gainful employment and the employer has been in existence for at least two (2) years.
• In addition, youth must meet one of the following criteria:
  • Youth was in foster care* for 12 months after his/her 14 year birthday;
  • Youth was adopted or placed in guardianship from foster care on or after his/her 16 year birthday; or
  • Youth has left care after his/her 18 year birthday.

If eligible, youth may receive up to $5,000 a year (for up to a total of 5 years) for their cost of attendance at college until they are 26 years old. The IL coordinator in your area can assist youth complete the scholarship application. Click here for the ETV application.

If the youth received an ETV to fund his/her previous school semester, please complete the ETV Renewal Request. Click here for the ETV renewal request form.

For help with one of these programs or to find out if you are eligible for the Independent Living Program, contact the Independent Living Coordinator in your area!

Click here for the Independent Living Wyoming brochure that contains the list of statewide coordinators.

Program Analyst
Brian DeTavernier
brian.detavernier1@wyo.gov
307-777-6348

Court-Ordered Youth Treatment Facilities

In Wyoming, placement outside of the home is considered a last resort after initial efforts in the continuum of care have been exhausted.  Children/youth who cannot be maintained safely in their homes/communities may be placed in out-of-home care to include residential treatment centers, group homes, foster care, etc.  The primary purpose for the placement of a child/youth outside of his/her home is to provide for the treatment needs of the child/youth, which could not be addressed in the community. For more on Wyoming’s continuum of care and services for youth, please refer to the Wyoming Resource Guide for Children, Youth and Families

2015 Approved Court Ordered Placement Facilities

Per W.S. 21-13-315(f), the Wyoming Department of Family Services (DFS) and the Wyoming Department of Education (WDE) shall provide the courts with a list of approved facilities and services. Only group homes and residential treatment facilities certified by DFS and approved by WDE are eligible to receive funding for residential and treatment services under this statute. Below is the list of approved facilities, in- and out-of-state.

Juvenile Probation

Juvenile Probation is the work done to supervise youth adjudicated CHINS (Child In Need of Supervision) or delinquent through the state’s Juvenile Court. If you have any questions relating to juvenile probation, please contact your local DFS Office.

Wyoming Boys’ School

The Wyoming Boys’ School is a secure facility providing adjudicated delinquent males ages 12-21 years with opportunities to make changes in their lives. Staff members provide supportive services focusing on psychological/emotional stability, educational and physical development, and mental health therapies. Programs are specifically designed for youth to learn socially responsible values and life skills, restructure their critical thinking and prepare for a successful transition back to their families and communities.

Superintendent – Gary Gilmore – (307) 347-6144
Administrative Assistant – Gretchen Ruoff – (307) 347-5300

Wyoming Girls’ School

The Wyoming Girls’ School is a therapeutic and educational facility for the treatment of court-ordered delinquent girls ages 12-21 years.

Staff members provide gender-specific support services focusing on mental health and substance abuse treatment, educational and life skills development. 

The program teaches youth to take personal accountability for their actions and develop socially responsible values in preparation for a successful transition back to their family and community.

Superintendent – Chris Jones – (307) 674-7476
Administrative Assistant – Kerrie Kimmel – (307-675-3000)