A structured, integrated and evidence-based System of Care (SOC) is urgently needed in Dallas County to further improve outcomes for transitional age youth and their families and expand access to mental health support to promote “Healthy Transitions” to adulthood. Metrocare’s Healthy Transitions Program is a System of Care (SOC) that focuses on preparing transitional age youth (ages 15-21) in Dallas County, Texas, with or at risk of Serious Emotional Disturbances (SED) and/or Serious Mental Illness (SMI) for a healthy transition to adulthood. Transitional age youth with SED/SMI often experience challenges transitioning from children services to the adult serving system. This is the period when many youth/young adults make long-term goals about careers, family, relationships, finances, and obtain independent living environments. The philosophy of Healthy Transitions is the development and implementation of a comprehensive community of care for transitional age youth with or at risk of SED/SMI in Dallas County with the goal of providing cultural and linguistically appropriate, evidence-based, trauma informed, person-centered services organized into a coordinated system. Healthy Transitions is a transitional age youth-guided program where youth and young adults actively impact every level of the environment including the development/modification and active participation in the planning when policies or decisions will affect their lives. Healthy Transitions targets individuals involved in various systems, such as the juvenile justice system, foster care, and/or alternative education programs. Transitional services include mental health treatment, education, GED, vocational, and housing assistance.
The goals of Metrocare’s Healthy Transitions Program are: 1) develop a Healthy Transitions governance board; 2) develop and implement a comprehensive referral and continuum of care process; 3) increase access to treatment and healing for transitional age youth; 4) increase community engagement of transitional age youth and stakeholders; 5) increase youth/young adult’s life skills and overall knowledge in daily living; and 6) educate, assess and provide treatment/intervention for substance use disorder in transitional age youth.
A community needs assessment will be conducted within the first four months following award to address gaps in service delivery for the transitional age youth and young adults to be served by this project in Dallas County. The needs assessment will seek to identify racial and ethnic health disparities, and specialized cultural and linguistic needs.
Metrocare’s Health Transitions Program will serve 375 unduplicated transitional age youth over four years. In year one, 50 individuals will be served; in year two, 75 individuals will be served; in year three, 100 individuals will be served; and in year four, 150 individuals will be served.