G. Supervised Independent Living

The Supervised Independent Living (SIL) program is a type of voluntary placement in Extended Foster Care which allows young adults who are accepted into a SIL program to live in a more independent setting, including apartments, dorms, and shared housing.^[23] Young adults receive casework and support services to help them become independent and self-sufficient.

If a young adult is accepted by a SIL program, the young adult receives case management and support services to help them become independent and self-sufficient through a DFPS contracted provider. There is no daily in-home supervision by an adult, therefore the young adult has increased responsibilities.

1. Benefits of SIL Program

Through SIL, a young adult has increased responsibilities and support to transition to independent living with help such as:

•   Meeting their own needs with limited guidance

•   Experiencing age-appropriate mistakes and consequences and learning responsible behaviors

•   Managing finances

•   Managing their own time including scheduling appointments

•   Developing connections with family, caring adults, and supportive networks

•   Leaving the SIL setting for employment, education, social and other activities

2. Achieving identified education and employment goals

•   Accessing community resources

•   Experiencing life skills

•   Establishing important relationships

3. Eligibility requirements for SIL

SIL is available for a young adult who is able to:

•   Demonstrate a reasonable level of maturity and ability to manage the expectations required in a SIL setting with no supervision and case management; and

•   Meet eligibility requirements for Extended Foster Care.^[24]

SIL with Enhanced Case Management (ECM) services, which are additional support or services to help young adults be able to adjust to and maintain independence, is available to a young adult who is able to:

•   Demonstrate a reasonable level of maturity and ability to manage the expectations required in a SIL setting with no supervision and case management;

•   Has a history of complex needs that require additional case management to be able to successfully adjust to a (SIL) placement;

•   Meet eligibility requirements for enhanced case management services;^[25] and

•   Meet eligibility requirements for Extended Foster Care.^[26]

Through SIL with ECM, a young adult receives assistance with:

•   Scheduling and managing their own medical, educational, and employment services - through community-based providers, governmental agencies, and other organizations

•   Arranging transportation to necessary appointments

•   Developing and monitoring a medication management plan

•   Improving their daily life skills

The young adult in a SIL placement must meet the Extended Foster Care eligibility requirements within 30 days of placement.

A 17-year-old youth in DFPS conservatorship may apply for a SIL placement but is not eligible for placement until their 18th birthday. Youth may apply for a SIL program 45 days prior to their 18th birthday, but there may be situations that allow application submission earlier, such as a SIL which is college-based or SIL apartment waitlists.

4. SIL settings

SIL settings can include:

•   Apartments

•   Non-College Dorms

•   College Dorms – Note that (ECM) is not permitted in college dorm settings)

•   Shared Housing

•   Host Homes

For more information about SIL settings, see DFPS' Types of SIL Settings webpage.^[27]

5. Requesting a SIL Placement:

Step 1: The young adult discusses SIL with the DFPS/SSCC caseworker. The young adult completes the DFPS SIL application and gives it to the DFPS/SSCC caseworker.

Step 2: The DFPS/SSCC caseworker will then include their comments and complete their required sections of the SIL application. Youth and DFPS/SSCC caseworker comments are required in all applicable sections in order for the application to be considered complete.

Step 3: The DFPS/SSCC caseworker sends the completed and approved SIL application and other required forms to the SIL Coordinator through a mailbox established by DFPS or the Single Source Continuum Contractor. After review, the DFPS/SSCC SIL Coordinator sends an email approving or denying the application.

Step 4: If approved, the DFPS/SSCC SIL Coordinator will send the DFPS/SSCC caseworker an email with necessary forms and next steps.

Step 5: The DFPS/SSCC caseworker discusses the available SIL placement options with the young adult and submits the application packet to the agreed providers. Placement of a Legacy young adult into a SSCC Catchment area must follow the protocol outlined in the designated SSCC's Joint Operations Manual.

Step 6: Upon initial acceptance by a SIL provider, the young adult and DFPS/SSCC caseworker hold discussions with the SIL provider. If the young adult, DFPS/SSCC caseworker, and SIL provider agree on the placement, then a placement date is identified and the placement is completed.