Supervised independent living (SIL)

The South Carolina Department of Social Services is soliciting proposals for Supervised Independent Living (SIL) services under the Extension of Foster Care program, with proposals due October 6, 2026. The program serves young adults ages 18–21 who have aged out of foster care and voluntarily remain in or return to state placement and care responsibility.

SIL providers deliver case management, life skills planning, and health and well-being coordination in community-based housing with minimal direct staff supervision. Eligible participants must have completed secondary education, be pursuing post-secondary or vocational education, be seeking or maintaining employment, be participating in barrier-removal programs, or be willing to develop transitional skills. Core service delivery requirements include weekly face-to-face contact with each young adult, monthly documentation and progress reporting to DSS case managers, and minimum-monthly transitional workshops addressing independent living needs, academic support, career preparation, employment programs, financial management, housing education, health education, risk prevention, family support, and mentoring aligned with the National Young Adult Transition Database (NYTD) framework.

Providers must administer individual life skills assessments within 30 business days of enrollment using the Casey Life Skills Assessment or DSS CANS IL Module, develop individualized transition plans within 30 business days covering ten life domains including education, employment, financial management, housing, health education, and permanent connections, and coordinate access to community resources for employment, mental health support, healthcare, and academic services. Facilities must meet sanitation inspections, zoning compliance, building codes, and annual fire safety standards. Providers must supply a monthly food allotment of $150 per young adult, arrange transportation services or rideshare vouchers, and deliver professional development training in trauma-informed care, adolescent development, crisis intervention, and motivational interviewing. Discharge occurs when young adults reach age 21, fail to demonstrate satisfactory progress toward self-sufficiency, or commit serious violations; upon discharge, providers furnish all transition planning documents and essential records to departing youth.

Compensation is structured through approved SIL board rates paid directly via the CAPSS payment system, with specific terms to be determined through the solicitation.