21.6.1  Criteria for Independent Living Arrangement

Independent Living Arrangements (ILA) should be the planned placement for youth in out-of-home care and should never be used when a more appropriate placement resource is available for the youth.  The payment of $307.00 for monthly maintenance is made directly to the youth when they are in an ILA placement.  Criteria for an ILA are as follows:

1. Youth is at least 17 years of age;
2. Youth is under court jurisdiction and in the care and custody of the Children’s Division;
3. There is no likelihood of reunification with parent/legal guardian;
4. The youth does not want to be adopted;
5. A Life Skills Inventory (CS-3) has been completed;
6. The IL Plan is documented and attached to the CD-14 Packet;

Related Subject: Section 3 Service Delivery

7. The case manager has consulted with the ILP specialist who gave the youth a favorable recommendation;
8. Youth has successfully graduated from the ILP Life Skills program of instruction;
9. Youth is able to demonstrate competency in life skills;
10. Youth is able to manage his/her own finances and live independently;
11. Youth has demonstrated responsible conduct for at least 12 months:
1. No criminal law violations;
2. If applicable, school performance is equal to youth’s capabilities; and
3. Responsible money management.
12. Youth is attending an educational or vocational school regularly to the satisfaction of school officials and is gainfully employed; and
13. Youth has assisted or developed their plan for independent living.

For the Chafee Aftercare youth, this placement type may be the most appropriate option.

21.6.2  Independent Living Arrangement Housing Options

There are a variety of housing options available to youth who have demonstrated the skills/competencies to live in an independent living arrangement.  Whatever option is selected by the youth, it must be stable and safe.  Housing options include the following:

1. Single dwelling (house, apartment, mobile home);
2. Shared housing;
3. Boarding home;
4. Dormitory (college program); or
5. Subsidized housing (HUD-Section 8).

21.6.3  Independent Living Arrangement Support Services/Systems

The majority of youth in ILA placements have limited or no family support systems to rely on in the event they experience a crisis, i.e., financial, health, emotional, etc.  Therefore, it is critical that the case manager assist the youth in identifying and accessing resources to enhance the prospects for success in the ILA.  Specifically, the case manager, ILP Specialist and youth should identify, to the extent possible and appropriate, the following support systems:

1. Medical/dental services;
2. Educational/vocational training programs/options;
3. Employment opportunities;
4. Emergency contacts within the agency;
5. Family supports;
6. Religious supports;
7. Community sponsor/mentor; and
8. Others as needed.

21.6.4  Termination of Independent Living Arrangement

An Independent Living Arrangement subsidized and supported by the Division is temporary and should be terminated under the following circumstances:

1. Youth has demonstrated success in living independently and the family support team agree that the youth will likely continue to live successfully as an adult in the community and should be released from court jurisdiction;
2. Youth is unsuccessful in living independently and requires placement in a more structured and supervised setting, i.e., transitional living program, out-of-home care or residential treatment;
3. Youth is in runaway status in excess of seven (7) consecutive days and likelihood of his/her returning to care is remote;
4. Youth engages in criminal activity which results in action by the legal system; or
5. Youth is released from court jurisdiction, Division custody, or reaches his/her 21st birthday.