Utilizing Low Barrier Drop-In Centers to Provide Specialized Behavioral Health Services for Transition Age Youth Grant #5H79SM061899-02
TAYLRD seeks to positively impact the lives of Kentucky s 16-25 year olds who have or are at risk of developing behavioral health challenges by improving access to high-quality, culturally and developmentally appropriate supports and services.
Why? Too many youth and young adults falling through the cracks Many young people are not receptive to traditional mental health services The need for community-based interventions for youth and young adults Youth and young adults have been asking for this type of programming
We do this by: Awareness Outreach & Engagement Screening Assessment and Referral Coordination of Care
And more specifically by... Employing Youth Peer Support Specialists Providing specialized services and supports to transition age youth (TAY) Offering a variety of services, supports, resources, and activities Connecting young people to services based on what they choose, not what the provider chooses for them Providing quick and easy access to services Reducing stigma for TAY seeking behavioral health services
What are Specialized Services and Supports for Transition Age Youth (TAY)? Services that are offered in a youth-friendly environment and/or manner Service providers who like working with transition age youth and who understand youth culture and development Services that are easy to access and based on what youth request Approaches that focus on transition domains (education, career, housing, relationships) rather than deficits, pathology, or diagnosis A One Stop Shop for TAY to access services
TAY Have Access to a Wide Variety of Services and Supports with TAYLRD
Youth Peer Support Supported Employment Supported Education Therapy Case Management Wraparound Medication Management Transportation Assistance Addiction Services and Aftercare Support Leadership Opportunities Career planning Lifeskills training
TAYLRD uses youth friendly engagement tools to connect with youth.
Drop-In Centers are Engagement Tools
Louisville, KY Ashland, KY began with 4 main pilot sites Taylorsville, KY Morehead, KY
Expansion Sites -Bardstown, KY -Brandenburg, KY -Hardinsburg, KY -Leitchfield, KY -Radcliff, KY -Lebanon, KY -Hazard, KY -Whitesburg, KY -Hindman, KY -Prestonsburg, KY -Pikeville, KY -Jackson, KY -Paducah, KY
What is a TAYLRD Drop-in center?
Drop-in centers serve as an engagement tool for offering specializes services and supports for transition age youth Drop-in centers are staffed by behavioral health professionals including youth peer support specialists, case managers, supported employment specialists, clinicians, etc. Drop-in centers reduce barriers to connecting to behavioral health services Drop-in centers are in youth friendly and designed spaces Drop-in centers are helping places that assist youth and young adults with identifying and reaching personal goals
First steps The first step to developing a drop-in center is to assess the potential community for readiness and youth engagement. A community readiness assessment process is necessary in order to determine if the proposed community has the interest, openness, and persistence necessary for a drop-in center to be successful and sustainable. Although excited parties may wish to rush forward, it is vitally important to determine if the community will be invested and willing to share time and resources toward implementation and sustainability.
The TAYLRD Process Assess for community readiness Assess for level of youth engagement Include community partners, transition age youth, and family members Conduct youth focus groups Choose a site location based on transition age youth and community input Hire staff Train staff in the TAYLRD practice model Design the look of the site and choose engagement tools based on transition age youth input
TAYLRD Drop-in Centers are: Fun and inviting for young people and their friends A helping place Co-designed by young people for young people A new way to engage young people in services Culturally aware In a location that is visible and accessible
TAYLRD Drop-In Centers are not: Recreation centers Places for adults to hang out Designed by adults without youth input
TAYLRD Membership Youth enters center Youth is approached by Youth Peer support specialist (YPSS) YPSS provides a tour and a description of the center which is described as being a helping place where young people can work on personal goals YPSS describes the membership process Youth completes the emergency contact form with the YPSS if the youth decides to remain in the center
TAYLRD Membership (cont.) Youth is allowed 3 visits before deciding on membership Only youth who have agreed to membership may continue coming to the center YPSS completes membership packet with youth YPSS assists young person with identifying a goal to work on Youth is assigned a YPSS that checks in with young person at least weekly on goal progress and overall well-being
What have we found? Over 1,000 youth and young adults have walked through our doors at the four pilot sites. 35% of these youth became members. 85% of youth that became members returned two or more times. 70% of TAYLRD youth indicate that they have experienced violence or trauma at some point in their lives. At baseline, 32% of TAYLRD youth reported being homeless. At the 6 month reassessment, this number had dropped to 17%. Data gathered from our pilot sites has shown an increase in housing, employment, and education.
Contact us at: Kate Tilton ktilton@kypartnership.org Andrea Barras ADBarras@communicare.org
Panel Discussion
Connect with Us! Visit our websites for more information! www.taylrd.org & www.youforward.org