An FST or Team Decision Making Placement Stability meeting shall occur prior to a youth moving into an ILA.

For any new placements in which ILA is being considered, PRIOR to placement being made, the Children’s Service Worker shall send the completed ILA Checklist form and the Self-Developed Case Plan for Independent Living Arrangement to the Circuit Manager (CM)/Program Manager (PM) for review. 

The Self-Developed Case Plan for Independent Living Arrangement is used to assist with preparation and budgeting for an initial ILA placement. 

The Independent Living Arrangement Checklist is completed each time a youth is being considered for an ILA. 

After reviewing, the CM/PM will indicate whether the placement constitutes an ILA per the criteria in the Child Welfare Policy Manual. A decision as to whether the placement meets ILA criteria should be determined within 30 days after the checklist is initially received.

If a youth is determined to not meet the criteria for an ILA placement based on the Independent Living Arrangement Checklist or not adequately prepared based on the Self-Developed Case Plan for Independent Living Arrangements, the coding shall not be used and another placement type sought. If the youth is placed in an ILA after meeting the criteria, the Independent Living Arrangement Checklist is reviewed quarterly by the case manager and the supervisor during case consultation. 

If the placement does not meet the criteria for an ILA, and the family support team or court wishes to pursue the living arrangement, a different placement code will need to be used (i.e. RHU, CTO, etc.).

Prior to placement of a youth, appropriate County Children’s Services staff or contracted case agency staff must approve the suitability of the residence. Staff shall use the TLP Advocate and Independent Living Arrangement (ILA) Checklist, CS-TLP-1, which provides a procedure for documenting health and safety requirements specific to an older adolescent placed in an ILA. 

The Independent Living Arrangement Checklist and the CS-TLP-1 shall be completed each time the youth moves to a new ILA to ensure the living environment is safe and meets ILA requirements.

Upon placement in an ILA, the Independent Living Arrangement Checklist is reviewed quarterly by the case manager and the supervisor during case consultation. 

A copy of the Independent Living Arrangement (ILA) Checklist, the CS-TLP-1, and the Self-Developed Case Plan for Independent Living Arrangement shall be placed in the youth’s file in the Older Youth Program section and a copy shall be provided to the Regional Older Youth Transition Specialists upon completion.

Related Practice Alerts and Memos:

2-10-20 – CD20-11 – Independent Living Arrangements