What's the Goal of SIL

  • Start creating rental history so that when you are ready to move out into your own place there will be less barriers. You will sign a legitimate lease approved from the Equal Housing Opportunity. ​
  • Save $$$$$$ We want to show you how to budget by using food pantries on and off site, by teaching you financial literacy skills, and employment support. ​
  • What do you want to accomplish? College, getting your license, getting a car, move in with a friend or a partner, get into longer term housing? You name it and we will create a unique plan to give you the tools to get there.

 

Your Rights

• SAFE will respect residents’ confidentiality. This means that staff members will not share personal information with anyone outside of SAFE without permission.

• There will be no unannounced checks/inspections or visits of private living quarters. If such a visit is required (e.g. maintenance, pest control, utilities malfunction, case management visit), the resident will be notified of the purpose and be allowed to be present, if so desired.

• The residents will not have a set curfew. We do request only that case manager or director be informed if the resident plans to be gone longer than 72 hours (if that decision is made before leaving or after having left).

• Complaints are taken seriously by SAFE Supervised Independent Living program. Concerns can be taken to the case manager. If the resolution is not sufficient or involves the case manager himself/herself, the resident can take the concern to the Sr. Director of Residential Services.

Admission

• The SAFE Supervised Independent Living program works primarily with young adults who are part of the DFPS Extended Foster Care program.

• All young adults ages 18-22 from across the state of Texas who meet the requirements of the DFPS Extended Foster Care program will be considered for the SAFE SIL.

• Young adults interested in living in the SIL would contact the SAFE Admissions Specialist at 512.751.8268 or by email at admissions@safeaustin.org in order to inquire about availability. If SAFE believes the SIL would meet the young adult’s needs and the young adult agrees, he/she will be invited for an interview. If no space is available at the time of the inquiry, the young adult’s name will be placed on a wait list, if requested.

Case Management

• A Case Manager is assigned to every resident. Residents are required to meet with a Case Manager by appointment at least once a month; Case Managers work on-site at SAFE but can travel to Grove Place for meetings with SIL residents. The case manager can be available more frequently by appointment if needed.

• The SIL Program Director’s office is located on the SAFE RV Campus; the SIL PD is available by appointment to respond to concerns that cannot be addressed by a Case Manager.

• All residents are expected to abide by the DFPS Extended Care Agreement and be documented as working or in school on at least a part time (16 hours p/week) basis; documentation must be submitted to the Case Manger or directly to the DFPS Case Worker on a monthly basis.

• Residents are expected to share details about their income and savings with the Case Manager in order to ensure that budgeting and savings skills are developed.

RV Campus

• Located at 4800 Manor rd​ • On bus line​ • Walking distance to HEB and shopping​ • Case Manager on site​ • Non-College Dorm setting​ • Washer and Dryer in cottage​ • Fully furnished

Grove Place Apartments

• Located in Southeast Austin​ • 2 Bedroom Apartment​ • Furnished ​ • Washer and Dryer in Unit​ • Wifi​ • On bus line​ • Walking distance to Austin Community College, and the library

Program Expectations

• Extended absences from the placement should be communicated in advance in order to ensure that SAFE knows if residents are safe and accounted for; communication regarding plans to stay off campus/out of the apartment for more than 48 hours should go to the Case Manager. Case Managers will notify residents’ DFPS Case Workers for any absences from the residence of more than 72 hours that were not communicated to the Case Manager in advance.

 

• SAFE residents may not have guests on-site at RV due to our licensing regulations and privacy needs of others. Allowing guests into the Cottage/your room may be reason for discharge from the program. On the RV campus we have several community spaces in which SIL residents, and their guest can hang out.

 

• If you have a friend that needs a place to go, tell us and we will help connect them to Alumni and other SAFE svs.

 

• SIL residents who live at Grove Place may have guests; guests must be 18 years old or older and may stay for a maximum of two consecutive days. Having guests who stay at the resident frequently, long-term, and/or you are otherwise problematic may be asked to leave; hosting a person long-term, or hosting a person who has been asked to leave, may be reason for discharge from the program.

 

• No weapons of any kind are permitted in the SIL program.

 

• Cleanliness in private and common areas is expected.

  • Residents should plan to share household cleaning responsibilities.​
  • Residents’ rooms should be kept free of food items in order to minimize the presence of vermin and other unsanitary conditions; rooms need to have a clear path from the window/s to the door/s for the sake of fire safety.

• Residents are expected to follow safety protocols regarding use of the kitchen in order to ensure fire and food safety. Residents will be required to attend a fire safety orientation upon admission to the program.

 

• Any resident who creates safety concerns for themselves or others may jeopardize their placement in the SIL.​