Throughout the country, there are pockets of creativity in regard to Youth in Transition with Psychiatric Disabilities. Several states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Maryland have led the way through innovative approaches to service delivery, financing, residential placement and state agency linkages.
Many of the successful service models embrace the philosophy of the Transition to Independence Process System Plan Model predicated on seven principals.
New York has long been a leader in development of innovative, cost effective and individualized mental health programs. This is clearly true in regard to many aspects of Youth in Transition. The strategies identified in this report will hopefully help to further discussion in New York around the principles of a White Paper for Youth-in-Transition and a Symposium on the topic.
With greater use of existing resources such as One-Stop Centers, Ticket-to-Work, Youth Based Assertive Community Treatment Teams, Federal Block Grant, Waiver Programs, Use of Low Income Tax Credits, Supported Employment Models, Presumptive Eligibility for this Population, the Medicaid Infrastructure Grants and strong system collaborations, New York can create the kind of transition services that can be a nationwide model.
New York also has one of the most significant resources in guaranteeing success – a strong youth movement and empowerment strategies. The most successful states have all relied on the voices of youth and their families in creating their transition models.
A strong partnership between youth, families, providers and government as evidenced by the Transition Advisory Group will help to strengthen the resolve in New York to insure that youth in transition with psychiatric disabilities achieve independence and success.
[/one_half][one_half_last padding=”0 0px 0 40px”]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)