Specifications include, but are not limited to: Establish a pro-youth regional network of services, providers and supports, which strengthens resource capacity and broadens service availability throughout the region where eligible youth are located. The State as represented by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) intends to use the results of this Request for Grant Proposal (RFP) to award contracts for Independent Living programs in regions 1, 5, and 7. The contracts resulting from this RFP will facilitate the successful transition of eligible youth leaving out-of-home care (OHC), and create opportunities for collaboration, connections and service provision within the regional communities in order to meet the needs of transitioning youth residing there. The funding provided is from the federal John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood (formerly known as the Chafee Foster Care Independence Program), administered by DCF’s Division of Safety and Permanence, Bureau of Youth Services (BYS). Eligible youth, herein “youth”, are: • Those age 17 ½ and older who are expected to age out of care; • Those who have exited out-of-home care at age 18 or older (i.e., “aged out” of care; remain eligible up to their 21st birthday); • Those who were adopted or for whom court ordered Chapter 48 guardianship was achieved after their 16th birthday (remain eligible up to their 21st birthday); and • Those who meet the requirements for participating in the Education and Training Voucher (ETV) program (remain eligible up to their 23rd birthday). Identify, develop and maintain community resources responsive to the employment needs of 14-21 year olds through leveraging resources from business, government, and charitable networks as part of the contractor’s efforts toward community connections and outreach. Identify, develop, and maintain community resources that facilitate access to and achievement of youth’s desired education, housing, health care, employment, and permanent connection needs and goals. This shall include but is not limited to access to healthcare providers, a network of landlords, and a variety of employment options. Partner with counties and tribes serving youth in OHC age 14-21. Connect child welfare agencies to developmentally appropriate services, supports, and resources as needed for youth in OHC ages 14-21. Develop rapport and establish relationships with youth prior to youth aging out of care. Participate in the creation of the Independent Living Transition to Discharge (ILTD) plan for youth in OHC. Attend youth’s transitional meetings. Provide direct services to youth ages 18-21 (23 for ETV recipients) including (but not limited to): Participate and collaborate in transition meetings for any eligible youth who currently resides in or moves into and becomes a permanent resident of the region.