Young people with emotional and behavioral difficulties face great challenges as they
move into adulthood. As they age out of the social services network that helped
them as children, they need to connect with services they can now use as young
adults. All those who want to help young people (ages 16 through 24) succeed in
this transition are invited to a free half-day training session Wednesday in the
multipurpose room of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, 315 College Drive, Bowling
Green.
Behavioral Connections of Wood County is sponsoring "An Orientation to the
Transition to Independence Process Model: Practices for Improving the Outcomes
of Young People with Emotional and Behavioral Difficulties."
Patrice Fetzer, LISW-S, of the Mental Health and Recovery Services Board of Stark
County, is the presenter. She is specially certified in this evidence-based
training, which is appropriate for professionals in the fields of behavioral
health, criminal justice, jobs and family services, education, employment,
housing, and developmental disabilities. Interested parents and young people are
also welcome to attend. Continuing Education Units will be available.
To register or for more information, contact Behavioral Connections of Wood County at
419-352-5387 (Jessie Broz or Scott Acus.)
In many communities children’s mental health services end when a youth turns 18. At
this same age a juvenile offender may be switched from a juvenile to an adult
parole officer. And all these changes happen while the youthful brain is still
not fully matured.
The transition model Fetzer will present is evidence-supported; six research studies
have demonstrated how it can improve real-life outcomes.
As Scott Acus, Residential, Transitional, and Prevention Services program manager at
Behavioral Connections explains: "Only recently have we begun to recognize
what a significant impact we can have by focusing on helping young adults, or
‘transitional youth,’ as they take their final steps into adulthood. Wood County
is really ahead of the curve in understanding that the needs of transitional
youth are unique, and that we can improve outcomes by providing age-specific
services now, before these young adults have fully matured."
The TIP training is sponsored by the Wood County Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental
Health Services Board in conjunction with Behavioral Connections.