"More than a year into California’s extension of its foster care system to age 21, a key proponent of the reform is surprised by the high rate of older youth being diverted to the least restrictive living arrangements. Meanwhile, a version of California’s wrap-around service model for aged-out foster youth has been slow to take hold.
"The Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) allows youths to find their own accommodations and, subject to caseworker approval, receive a monthly payment of $776 to address rent and other living expenses.
"There were 1,808 teens placed in SILPs as of July 2013, according to an annual report done by the John Burton Foundation, a child welfare advocacy group in the state.
“That was a big surprise,” said Amy Lemley, policy director for Burton, speaking to several hundred child welfare stakeholders on a web conference last week. “The SILP is something we envisioned as a [lesser]-used option. We hoped many of the kids would live with relatives,” or foster parents...."
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