The North Carolina independent living program: A comparison of outcomes for participants and nonparticipants

Effectiveness of a state independent living program (ILP) was evaluated by comparing outcomes for program participants acid nonparticipants in four co re areas: housing, education, employment, and financial self-sufficiency. O ne to three years after discharge from care, ILP participants were more lik ely to be living independently or paying all of their housing expenses whil e living with others than were the nonparticipants. Program participants al so reported a higher level of educational attainment and aspirations. There were no statistically significant differences regarding employment or fina ncial self-sufficiency. Findings are compared with those of similar studies , and recommendations for program modification are described.