Expert Recommendations:
Massachusetts Youth White Paper
Voices of Youth-in-Transition recommends blended funding to help pay for services by taking money from several state agencies as well as leveraging federal Medicaid. The agencies offering funding include Mental Health, Vocational Rehabilitation and Corrections.
GAO Report
Suggests utilizing Projects on Assistance in Transition from Homelessness (PATH) funding. This funding can be utilized for YIT who are at risk of being homeless. It is a federally funded model Utilizing Mental Health Services Block Grant Funding. Through a statutory formula, each state receives Block Grant Funding that can be used for YIT. The funding is based on demographics. The Experts Consensus from the Center for Mental Health Services report recommends that there be a third category in the block grant that requires service and support to meet the needs of youth and young adults, which permits smooth transition into adult services.
Tunnels and Cliffs
This study suggests a blended funding model with state MOU’s that will clarify which agency is responsible for funding. Blended funding would relax the regulations within the different agencies to permit greater flexibility, which is one of the recommendations of the 16-25 YIT Advisory Work Group.
Table of Contents
Overview of Literature Search
Background
Best Practices
I) Access and Linkages
A. Cross Systems Approach
B. Care Coordination
C. Family Links
D. Workforce
II) Population
A. Eligibility
B. Diverse Populations Involved with Youth in Transition
C. Schools (Screenings and Assessments)
III) Services
A. Overarching Service Needs
B. Employment
C. Education Services
D. Self-Determination and Empowerment
E. Youth Mentors
F. Clinical Services
G. Individualized and Person Centered Planning
H. Cultural Competence
I. Adult Skills Training
IV) Financing
A. Overarching Funding including Blended Models
B. Youth Oriented Services
C. Employment and Education
(Subset of Youth-Oriented Services)
D. Clinical Services
V) Housing
A. Various Housing Options for Youth in Transition
B. YIT Services Linked to Housing
C. Housing Model Funding
VI) Transition to Independence Process System (TIP)
(Emerging Best Practice)