Youth Services      

SUPERVISED INDEPENDENT LIVING PROGRAM

(SILP)

This seven-unit, supervised independent living program provides services for youth in care and custody, ages 16 to 21 who are trying to make the transition from residential care settings, group home or foster care, to living on their own. Eligible youth rent and share gender-segregated apartments leased by Community Missions, within the Niagara County area. The SLIP program provides a stable living situation, while assisting youth with goals for employment, education and other objectives needed for successful independent living. Utilizing previous skills developed in other placement settings, the SLIP builds upon these skills by providing youth with supported opportunities to practice living within the community under staff supervised conditions. Case Management services include life skills training, referrals and linkage to community support services, and advocacy. Youth continue moving gradually toward self sufficiency following a (12) twelve month transition period, to life in their own apartment.

OBJECTIVES:

1. To provide safe, consistent and nurturing environments for youth as they transition to living on their own, while partnering with youth to design, commit to and complete individualized programming.

2. To facilitate linkages with community agencies to empower youth while focused efforts are made to assist them with completing education, employment, health care, parenting skills, and counseling support goals.

3. To improve the self esteem, maturation and independence of each youth to the fullest extent of their ability.

4. To provide youth with a wide variety of life skills which will promote independence as an essential requirement of all youth care.

Using Adobe Flash take a Virtual Tour of a SILP Apartment