Foster care is not only about making sure young people have what they need to stay safe and grow up in a supportive community, although that’s a big part of it. As those young people approach adulthood, it’s also about giving them the tools and resources they need to thrive once they are out on the system and on their own. Both Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) and the Transitional Housing Program can serve this goal, but the post below will detail why THP tends to deliver better results. 

The Limitations of SILP

Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP) is designed to be used by youth who don’t need the extra support that THP provides. Unfortunately, there are some downsides to the SILP program that wind up limiting its usefulness for the young people that it is supposed to serve. For example, the young people in this program have to look for their own housing, they get less money each month, and a social worker is only in contact once per month to check-in. Yes, it can provide housing – which is certainly a step in the right direction – but more support is typically needed to produce good outcomes. 

Enjoying the Benefits of THP

When compared directly to Supervised Independent Living Placement (SILP), it’s easy to see how the Transitional Housing Program is able to shine. With THP, young people get help finding places to rent, and more money is supplied each month. Ongoing social worker support as part of the program is a huge help with important life steps like enrolling in college, finding a job, budgeting, shopping for food, and more. There are also support services for mental health and substance abuse issues, and a 24-hour emergency response line is available. From top to bottom, the support received through THP is far superior to SILP, and the young person in the program will benefit directly from all of that extra help. 

If you are eligible for the transitional housing program and interested in learning more, apply now. If you want to become a mentor for the young adults in the THP program, contact Children First Foster Family Agency.

Children First FFA is a private, non-profit organization in Northern California that is dedicated to helping change lives by providing a safe place for children to heal in a culture of love, acceptance, and consistency.