Some young adults are "couch surfers," others have undiagnosed mental
health issues and still others don’t have the necessary skills to land a job.
These are all concerns being addressed by several Wood County agencies trying to
make the transition easier for teens living on their own and approaching
adulthood.
These agencies: Children’s Resource Center, Behavioral Connections and the Wood
County Educational Service Center talked of their plans to help these
"transitioning youth" get on their feet at Friday’s meeting of the
Wood County Prevention Coalition.
The Children’s Resource Center, in the next month, plans to open a drop-in center for
these teens and young adults in downtown Bowling Green.
At the drop-in center, they will be linked with a variety of services to help meet
their nutritional, mental health, employment and housing needs.
"The idea is to provide a place kids can come in and we can do all sorts of
things that help them make that jump to becoming responsible adults," said
Janelle LaFond, CRC director.
Behavioral Connections also has a plan in the works to open a five-bed residential
unit for males, ages 18-24.
The focus of the residential unit will be teaching them independent living skills,
linking them with treatment, job programs and obtaining a GED, among other
offerings.
At the Wood County Educational Service Center, youth employment and occupational
skills training are being offered, focusing on 18 to 21-year-olds.
Through this program, the youth are linked with community jobs, but can also work on
obtaining their CDL license, welding certification, STNA certification, or GED,
for example.
"We have a pretty broad spectrum of what we can help them with," said Tyler
Householder, youth employment specialist for the Wood County ESC.