Presentation by: Wayne Munchel, LCSW Executive Director Transition Age Youth Academy a program of the National Mental Health Association of Greater Los Angeles
From Recovery To Discovery me
BE PASSIONATE aboutworking with young adults… …or stay home
Seek not just to educate and inform, but to inspire
If the average American young adult does not fully “emancipate” from their families until age 28, it is not reasonable to expect young adults with EBD, many with little or no family support, to emancipate successfully at age 18.
TAY ACADEMY DATA • 54 current students 40% African-American 26% Hispanic 24% Caucasian • 120 students after expansion As of July 2005: 15% homeless 22% in school 17% working 37% living independently in own apartment
Diagnostic Impressions: 66% severe mental illness such as bipolar or schizophrenia 33% PTSD, personality disorders or mood disorders 50% substance use issues Referral Sources 60% DCFS, foster care 40% families, community agencies, jail
Director & Assistant Director Me Career Developer TAY House Manager & Support Financial Planner TAY MENTORS Registered Nurse Mentors Psychiatrist
TAY MATRIX “Rollin’ In” Intensive—Structured—Teaching
CAREER DEVELOPMENT • Establish Life Habits—show up, timeliness… • In house education / training classes—GED… • Engaged, routine attendance • Exposures / Internships—in house jobs, school tours • Cost of living and wages
HOUSING ARRAY • Intro to Adult Living 101…You pay for where you lay • 24/7 supervised, supported, “house parent” • Subsidies, scholarships • Specialized, residential teaching facilities
COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS • Learn how to get needs met— “be nice” • S.O.D.A.S., rationales, problem-solving • Mandatory fun, routine-sustainable activities • Economic literacy, anger management
WELLNESS • Develop life dreams/visions—inspire, core gift… • Identify barriers to life goals—symptoms, drug/alcohol • behavioral, physical… • Develop coping skills—take care of yourself • Educate on illness, meds, therapy, pregnancy • Goal setting groups—sex, drugs, rock & roll, trauma
TAY MATRIX “Tunin’ Up” Supportive—Individualized—Mentoring
CAREER DEVELOPMENT • Explore educational/work training opportunities in the • community • Major partnerships with community college, adult schools • Keeping appointments, maintaining schedule • Community-based apprenticeships, supported education
HOUSING ARRAY • Practice independent living skills • Cooking, cleaning, budgeting, shopping • Getting along with others, managing guests • Master leased, permanent, supportive apartments
COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS • Practice community functioning skills • Individualized, fun activities in the community • Relationship skills, positive sex / intimacy • Study groups, bus training, etc…
WELLNESS • Practice coping methods, problem solving • Harm Reduction with drugs & alcohol, experimentation • Informed / empowered on illness, meds, treatments • Community therapists, community groups, etc…
TAY MATRIX “Rockin’ Out” Follow Along—Peer Mediated—Self Directed
CAREER DEVELOPMENT • Get and keep job with a career connection • Ongoing education—certification, graduation • Self-directed job searches, advancement, raises • Competitive employment, peer mentorships
HOUSING ARRAY • Obtain / maintain housing of choice— “home” • Manages own guests / roommates • Pays own rent, own payee, adequate income • Scattered site apartments
COMMUNITY LIVING SKILLS • Successful functioning in meeting needs • Places of belonging, community integration • How to get info / help, problem-solve • Give back—volunteer, teach new students
WELLNESS • Take responsibility for managing one’s own life / recovery • Accesses support when needed • Follow-along by mentors with occasional reminders • T.R.A.P. plans towards interdependence
my mom Know that today you will be ignored, dismissed and cursed at for things that you will be thanked for profusely years later. Unless you’re wrong; in which case you will just be ignored, dismissed and cursed at.
If young adults with EBD are to transcend the confining boundaries of disability and the mental health system… …providers must transcend the boundaries of disability and the mental health system. Partnerships must be established with institutions of education, job training and youth development.
Remember all the dangerous, ill-advised, destructive things you and your friends may have done as a transition age youth and consider that many of the disturbing behaviors that you are witnessing are not due to mental illness or deep-seated pathology. Guyton Director MHA TAY Academy
TAY Member of the Year 2004 Golden Ducky Awards
