Independent Living Skills
Independent Living Skills (ILS) services are tailored to meet the needs and desires of each client. Some individuals may want to become more independent in helping out around the home, such as setting the table for family meals, or doing their own laundry, while others may desire to live fully independently, holding down a job and paying for their own rent. Manos ILS Instructors can guide clients toward any level of independence they set as a goal.
The Benefits of Independent Living Skills
ILS clients are empowered to live a life of their choosing. They are in control of the goals they pursue and the level of independence they seek to attain.
ILS clients are empowered to live a life of their choosing. They are in control of the goals they pursue and the level of independence they seek to attain.
Working toward, and achieving goals can be one of the most satisfying things anyone can do in life. ILS helps clients create paths to meet the goals they set.
Learning to care for oneself and contribute to the household can provide a strong sense of self-worth and pride in one’s abilities.
Discover a Week with Independent Living Skills
ILS sessions are an ongoing service that typically take place two to three times per week, for three to four hours per session. A goal is practiced as many times as needed until it is mastered. Once a goal is accomplished, new goals are selected.
While each client has individual needs and receives instruction tailored to work on different goals, a typical ILS week could look like the following for someone with lower support needs:
Session 1 – Riding the Bus and Grocery Shopping Skill Development
Session 2 – Filling Out Apartment Applications Lesson and Practice
Session 3 – Organizing the Home and Managing Bills
For a client with higher support needs, an ILS week could look like the following:
Session 1 – Cleaning Their Room and Contributing to Household Chores
Session 2 – Practicing a Self-Care Routine and Communicating Their Needs
Session 3 – Following up with Friends and Scheduling a Day with Friends Out in the Community
Service Eligibility Criteria (Am I Eligible?)
Manos provides ILS instruction for adults age 18 plus. To qualify for ILS, the individual being instructed must:
- Be age 18 or older
- Can live in the family home or independently
- Be a regional center client
- Have a desire to become more independent in one or more areas of your life
How to Get Started
- Your case manager will send a referral to Manos on your behalf
- A Manos ILS coordinator will meet with you to set your goals and develop your service plan. At this meeting you can include people who you feel understand you and can contribute to the conversation.
- The Manos ILS coordinator will create a goal plan based on your conversation and a recommendation for your total monthly service hours and share this with you and your regional center case manager.
- Upon approval of the hours and the submission of a POS Contract, you will be matched with a skilled and trained ILS Instructor who will help you achieve the goals you set
- After your services have gotten started, you will periodically meet with your Manos ILS coordinator to talk about your progress, discuss any roadblocks and set new goals
Frequently Asked Questions About Independent Living Skills
Find answers to our most commonly asked questions about ILS services.