Independent Living Services
Advisory Council

Independent Living Services Advisory Council

Independent Living Services Advisory Council

Overview

As required by 409.1451(7) F.S., the Independent Living Services Advisory Council was created by the Florida Legislature with the "purpose of reviewing and making recommendations concerning the implementation and operation of the independent living transition services." Each year the advisory council prepares and submits a report to the Florida Legislature and the Florida Department of Children and Families on the status of the services being provided, including successes and barriers to these services.

If you would like more information please contact Andrea Ziglar, Youth & Young Adult Services Specialist, by email at Andrea.Ziglar@myflfamilies.com.

Independent Living Services Advisory Council Members

  • Sarah O'Neal
    Chair, Family Support Services
  • Melissa Jagger
    Co-chair, Statewide Guardian Ad Litem Office
  • Alison Fulford
    Secretary, Department of Juvenile Justice
  • Ashley Cabrera
    Young Adult
  • Eric Marshall
    Citrus Health Network
  • Heather DeFransico
    Office of Economic Self Sufficiency
  • Janay Davis
    NWF Health Network East
  • Karmyn Hill
    Department of Commerce (Florida Commerce)
  • Liesl Ramos
    Agency for Persons with Disabilities
  • Maria Batista
    Florida Youth Shine
  • Melissa Vergeson
    Agency for Health Care Administration
  • Sara Pham
    Sunshine Health State Plan
  • Terrence Watts
    Office of Child & Family Well-Being

Step into Success Pilot Program

Step into Success is a pilot program for foster youth alumni ages 16 to 26. There are two components to the Step into Success program.

  • A workforce education training which is an interactive, youth focused, training that will be administered in the Northwest Region from May 4th to 8th 2028 and in the Central Region from June 8th to 12th 2026. Participants will learn important professional development and life skills such as resume building, interview skills, professionalism, teamwork, leadership, problem solving, conflict resolution in the workplace, financial literacy, and more.
  • A workforce internship experience that will consist of an onsite internship for a minimum of 80 hours a month. Interns will receive a stipend of $1517.00 a month. Interns must be 18 years old to be eligible for the workforce experience.

Each participant must complete the workforce education training to be eligible for the workforce internship experience as well as meet any other requirements outlined in F.S.409.1455.

The application window for the 2026 – 2027 program year will open Monday, January 26th, 2026. We are accepting applications from participants who meet the program eligibility below:

  • You are a current or former foster youth. “Former foster youth” means an individual 18 years of age or older but younger than 26 years of age who is currently or was previously placed in licensed care, excluding Level I licensed placements pursuant to s. 409.175(5)(a)1., for at least 60 days within this state. “Current foster youth” means an individual 16 or 17 years old and currently placed in licensed care (excluding level 1 placements).
  • You live in Northwest, FL in one of the following counties: Escambia, Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Holmes, Jackson, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Wakulla, Walton, Washington.
  • You live in Central, FL in one of the following counties: Brevard, Citrus, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Polk, Seminole, and Sumter.

If you meet the requirements above and are interested in applying for the Step into Success program or for any other questions, please email:  Stepintosuccess@myflfamilies.com.

For More Information or questions regarding eligibility visit