Information

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Supervised Independent Living?

Supervised Independent Living placement allows young adults 18 and older to be placed in a non-traditional, less restrictive environment while still in paid foster care. Young adults placed in SIL settings have minimal supervision and case management. This arrangement allows young adults to practice necessary independent living skills and achieve self-sufficiency in a supportive environment before leaving foster care.

2. Who is a good fit for Supervised Independent Living?

Effective 9/19/11, young adults who turned 18 in DFPS conservatorship may return to participate in the Extended Foster Care Program until the age of 21 if the required stipulations are met:

  • Understand that court jurisdiction will be extended, if the return is during the trial independence period
  • Sign or re-sign a Voluntary Extended Foster Care agreement
  • Agree to participate in one of the extended foster care activities within 30 days of being placed in Extended Foster Care
  • Is offered an available placement

Young adults need to contact the regional PAL staff to be pre-screened for return for Extended Foster Care.

3. What is Extended Foster Care?

Extended Foster Care is a voluntary program that offers young adults turning 18 in DFPS care opportunities to continue foster care placement and facilitate the transition to independence with DFPS supervision, if there is an available placement.

4. How does the program work?

Supervised Independent Living (SIL) is a type of voluntary Extended Foster Care placement where young adults can live on their own under a supervised independent living setting. A young adult in SIL still receives case management and support services provided by a DFPS contracted provider to help them become independent and self-sufficient. They are not supervised 24 hours a day by an adult and have increased responsibilities.

5. Who is this program for?

Young adults may stay for Extended Foster Care if they are:

  • Attending high school or a program leading to a high school diploma or a high school equivalency certificate (GED).
  • Attending college or other institutions of higher learning.
  • Participating in a program or activity that promotes or removes barriers to employment.
  • Employed for at least 80 hours a month or
  • Are incapable of doing any of the allowed activities described in Texas Family Code Sec. 264.101 (a-1) due to a documented medical condition.

6. How will this help with transitioning out of the traditional foster care system?

A young adult in SIL will receive help with transitioning to independent living through:

  • Achieving identified education and employment goals.
  • Accessing community resources.
  • Engaging in needed life skills training.
  • Establishing important relationships.

7. What are the eligibility requirements for SIL?

SIL is available for a young adult who can:

  • Demonstrate a reasonable level of maturity and ability to manage the expectations required in a SIL setting with no daily supervision and minimal case management.
  • Meet eligibility requirements for Extended Foster Care.

SIL with Enhanced Case Management (ECM) services is available to a young adult who:

  • Has complex needs that require additional case management to be able to successfully adjust to a Supervised Independent Living (SIL) placement.
  • Meets eligibility requirements for enhanced case management services.  

8. What safety features are available?

Common features include secure entrances, emergency call systems, 24/7 camera security, fire safety systems, and regular wellness checks from qualified staff.

9. What type of assistance is available?

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

  • Scheduling and managing their own services - such as medical, educational, and employment services - through community-based providers, governmental agencies, and other organizations.
  • Arranging transportation to necessary medical and dental appointments.
  • Developing and monitoring a medication management plan that assists the young adult in understanding, scheduling, and managing their medication.
  • Improving their daily life skills such as cooking, money management, cleaning, and shopping.

10. When is the best time to apply?

  • Youth may apply for the SIL program 45 days prior to turning 18. However, there may be situations that allow application submission earlier, such as SIL college-based or apartment waitlists.
  • Youth must be 18 before they can participate in the SIL program and move into a SIL placement, even if they are approved for the program prior to turning 18. A young adult in a SIL placement must meet the Extended Foster Care eligibility requirements within 30 days of placement.

11. What are the steps to requesting a SIL placement?

Step 1: The young adult discusses SIL with the caseworker, and the DFPS caseworker sends them the application. The young adult completes their sections of the SIL application Document (Form 2605) and sends it back to the DFPS caseworker.

Step 2: The DFPS caseworker will then include their comments and complete their required sections of the SIL application. Applicant and 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, signed, and approved SIL application and Form 2087EX and Form 2540PDF Document to the SIL Coordinator through the DFPS Supervised Independent Living mailbox. After review, the state office SIL Coordinator will send the DFPS caseworker an email approving or denying the application.

Note: If applying for SIL ECM, the additional required documents will need to be sent along with the above documents.

Step 4: If approved, the state office SIL Coordinator will send the DFPS caseworker an email with Form 2529 attached and next steps.

Step 5: The DFPS caseworker will then discuss SIL placement options with the young adult and submit the application packet to the agreed provider(s).

Note: For college-based SIL, the caseworker will not send a 2087EX form, unless the college-based SIL is contracted with a provider.

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

Step 7: Continue ongoing casework activity.

For more information, refer to the SIL policy on requesting a SIL placement.