Specifications include, but are not limited to: The purpose of this document is to provide interested parties with information that enables them to prepare and submit a proposal to provide regionalized Independent Living (IL) services in the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Regions 2, 4, and 6 for youth who are likely to, and who have, aged out of out-of-home care (OHC) through the child welfare or youth justice system. A map of the regional boundaries can be found in Appendix 1, Youth Services Regions. The contracts resulting from this Request for Grant Proposal (RFP) will facilitate the successful transition of eligible youth leaving OHC, and create opportunities for collaboration, connections, and service provision to meet the needs of transitioning youth residing in the region and put them on a path towards stable young adulthood. DCF’s Division of Safety and Permanence (DSP), Bureau of Youth Services (BYS), oversees and administers program funding provided by the federal John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (formerly known as the John H. Chafee Foster Care Independence Program). Eligible youth, herein defined as youth, are: Those age 17 ½ and older who are expected to age out of OHC; Youth may be in OHC via either Chapter 48 (child welfare) or Chapter 938 (youth justice) orders. While child welfare agencies (CWAs) remain the primary service provider for IL-eligible youth still in OHC, see requirements throughout this RFP regarding the regional IL provider’s role supporting those youth still in care. Those who discharged from OHC care at age 18 or older (e.g. “aged out” of care) (remain eligible up to their 23rd birthday); Those who were adopted or for whom court ordered Chapter 48.977 guardianship was achieved after their 16th birthday following time in OHC (remain eligible up to their 23rd birthday); and Those who meet the requirements to receive Education Training Voucher (ETV) funds (remain eligible up to their 23rd birthday).
