C. Supervised Independent Living

The Supervised Independent Living (SIL) program is a type of placement in Extended Foster Care which allows a young adults who are accepted into an SIL program to live in a more independent setting, including apartments, dorms, and shared housing.[21] 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

•   Achieving identified education and employment goals

•   Accessing community resources

•   Experiencing life skills

•   Establishing important relationships

2. 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.

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;[22] and

•   Meet eligibility requirements for Extended Foster Care.

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.

3. 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.[23]

4. Requesting a SIL Placement:

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

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

Step 3: The DFPS caseworker sends the completed and approved SIL application and other required forms to the SIL Coordinator through a mailbox established by DFPS. After review, the SIL Coordinator in the DFPS State Office sends an email approving or denying the application.

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

Step 5: The DFPS caseworker discusses the available SIL placement options with the young adult and submits the application packet to the agreed providers.

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