A Home of Their Own, With Support Close By
Since 1985, FIL has walked beside families who carry both pride and worry for the future of a loved one. Residents live in their own apartments at Cypress Shores in Coconut Creek, close to shops, restaurants, parks and cultural activities, so daily life feels familiar and connected to the community.
Gentle coaching and support are there whenever they are needed, and step back when they are not. For families that brings relief and hope. For residents it brings confidence, purpose and a true sense of belonging.
Not sure FIL is for you? See Who Should Apply.
How Admissions Works
Every step is a chance for you, your loved one and our team to see whether FIL is a fit.
Make an Initial Inquiry
Have a simple conversation by phone, Zoom, or in person with our Onboarding Team. We walk you through our programs and daily life, and learn about your loved one: their interests, strengths, routines and any supports they may need. If it feels like a good fit, the next step is a personalized tour.
Tour the Facility
The prospective resident and family meet staff and current residents, see our programs in action, and tour an apartment at Cypress Shores. We recommend the prospective resident comes too, so a FIL employee can talk about compatibility. If they cannot attend, we schedule a second tour with the family and the prospective resident.
Application & Review
The family, guardian and individual receive the application to complete. All supplementary documentation must be provided before the next step. Our Leadership and Medical Teams review the application and supporting documents.
Meet With Our Residents
Some prospective residents find it helpful to meet a few current residents before their stay. It is not mandatory, but we offer it to everyone.
Schedule a Trial Stay
The prospective resident stays one or two nights in an apartment at Cypress Shores, with a staff member or a Resident Ambassador. They join the Healthy Café meal program and take part in the activities and programs. Afterward, the resident, the family and FIL talk about how the stay went and whether to move forward.
Final Decision Meeting
FIL, the prospective resident and the family meet, typically by Zoom, to talk about the stay and whether FIL is a fit. This is where the final decision is made for someone to join FIL.
Attend Transition Meetings
Once the decision is final, a series of meetings helps ensure success from day one. They can include any or all of: an admissions meeting; a meet and greet with the resident’s RSP; a meeting with FIL’s Employment Specialist, if the individual is interested in employment; and a financial meeting, typically with the family.
Set Your Move-In Day
The big day. The resident and family move belongings in, and FIL staff are there to help every step of the way.
What You Get Each Month
Monthly Room & Board includes:
- Choice of a one- or two-bedroom apartment
- Participation in FIL’s daily enrichment programs
- Access to FIL’s fitness center
- Employment readiness, support and coaching
- 24/7 staff support (not supervision)
- Transportation to FIL activities, and to work where feasible
- Group outings and trips to nearby cultural events
- FIL sponsored events
Also available: the Healthy Café meal plan, at additional cost. Our 1 Bedroom, 1 Bath is shown for illustration purposes.
See Our FeesThe Foundation for Independent Living is NOT Appropriate for All Individuals
FIL is not appropriate for individuals who have a psychiatric or serious emotional disturbance that impacts behavior and/or have serious medical conditions that require daily or weekly monitoring or intervention. FIL is an integrated community-based program, and while we do have staff who live on site, we do not offer 24-hour supervision. Individual safety and dignity are FIL’s priorities, but residents will be working and living in the community. Our residents are allowed to make decisions that affect all aspects of their lives, all of which creates a level of risk inherent to this philosophy and approach.
Please note that FIL is private pay only. We do not accept insurance, Medicaid, etc.
Where to Go From Here
Who Should Apply
Find out whether FIL is the right fit.
Read moreOur Fees
What room and board includes and what costs extra.
See feesParent & Guardian Info
For families: what to expect and how you stay involved.
Read moreSchedule a Tour
Come and see Cypress Shores for yourself.
Book a tourSchedule an Intro Call
Tell us about your loved one and we will call you.
Start hereFrequently Asked Questions
Straight answers for families and referring programs.
Read answersDoes Independent Life Sound Right?
Schedule an intro call to get started, or come for a tour first.
Referring from a college or transition program? See how we work with programs.