Status of Current Independent Living Efforts (continued)
Additional Independent Living Program Support:
The Department's Commissioner continues to assign a Special Assistant to the Independent Living Program to access business, political, and media resources for the benefit of older youth being served by the Independent Living Program. The Special Assistant has been successful in getting some funding for things like an annual college scholarship award and funds to purchase items for other youth in care during the Christmas season. The Special Assistant has also solicited support by speaking to various community groups such as local Lions Clubs and other community groups. In addition, the Special Assistant has a contact at Fleet Bank who is in a position to authorize donations of funds for scholarships, or for other Independent Living Program activities that benefit youth in care. We will continue to utilize the services of the Commissioner's Special Assistant to access both cash and in-kind support for the Independent Living Program in Maine.
