Department of Child and Family Services

1/21/2021

 This infographic is a roadmap of child welfare that you can click on to enlarge and visit the DCFS website. The entire child welfare process is very complex and tedious with aid from public agencies, departments of social/ family/child service…

 This infographic is a roadmap of child welfare that you can click on to enlarge and visit the DCFS website. The entire child welfare process is very complex and tedious with aid from public agencies, departments of social/ family/child services, private child welfare agencies, and community-based organizations. These programs provide services to families such as in-home family preservation services, foster care, mental health care, residential treatment, employment assistance, financial assistance, and more.

“My phone number will always stay the same, I won’t stop answering your phone calls, I won’t stop replying to your texts.”
— Michelle Lucarelli

January 21, 2021

Interviewer: Angela Ren

Interviewee: Michelle Lucarelli

Department of Child and Family Services

The Department of Child and Family Services (DCFS) highlights child welfare by strengthening families, keeping children at home, and searching for stable environments to ensure protection. On January 21, 2021, Angela Ren, our founder, conducted a phone interview with Michelle Lucarelli, the Independent Living Program Transition Coordinator, discussing LA County’s child welfare system. Michelle’s services include:

  • An individualized transition program

  • A life skills program

  • A transition development specialist

While many children have the opportunity to be taught how to open a bank account or apply for a job, license, and college, children in the foster care system do not have family figures to guide them through life’s valuable milestones. Michelle’s job in the Independent Living Program (ILP) is able to provide financial aid for:

  • College Exams

  • High School Diplomas

  • College Tuition

  • Rent

  • Driving Lessons

  • Immigration Services

  • Computers 

  • Transportation 

  •  Youth Conferences

  • Food Assistance

  • Other necessities

Eligibility Requirements for Independent Living Program (ILP) Services:

  • 16 - the day before they turn 21

  • Placed in and out of the foster care system or tribe organization ages 16-19

  • A former dependent who entered into a kinship guardianship at any age

  • Receiving/received Kinship Guardianship Assistance Payments (Kin-GAP)

ILP Services provided:

  • Everyday skills

  • Money management

  • Decision making

  • Building esteem

  • Financial assistance with college

  • Educational resources

  • Traditional housing

  • Employment 

A success story of one of Michelle’s clients includes a senior currently studying abroad. Despite following the classic foster care story, he will, in fact, be graduating with a 4.0 and aiming for a Master’s Degree in education at Stanford University. ILP prevented many vulnerable clients from graduating from a 4-year college in debt. 

Michelle Lucarelli serves as a mother figure for people that do not get the same opportunities as most youth. She still remains in contact with her clients and forms bonds with each individual, even when they are no longer eligible for the services. When asked if she still remains in contact with her previous clients, she replied, “My phone number will always stay the same, I won’t stop answering your phone calls, I won’t stop replying to your texts.”