Youth In Transition

For the last two years, Northeast Kingdom Youth Services has been proud to house the Vermont Youth in Transition Grant.  The mission of Youth in Transition (YIT) is for young adults, families/adult allies, and community partners to collaborate in developing a system of care to support transition to adulthood.  The system builds upon the strengths of young adults and creates an array of specialized mental health and related services to meet their unique and changing needs.  The system also fosters young adult leadership.  Each of the twelve Agency of Human Service (AHS) regions in the state is reaching out to young adults in teen centers, recovery centers, shelters, schools, and those involved with the criminal & juvenile justice systems. By reaching out and creating partnerships with the young adults, YIT hopes to improve access to needed services and break down the barriers that prevent young people from using them.  As one 18 year-old YIT participants states, “I couldn’t imagine where I would be, if I didn’t receive the one-on-one help that you have offered me.”  She adds, “My life today is so great and moving forward.”  Recently she has been accepted to White Mountains Community College and plans to become a Licensed Practical Nurse.

Another exciting feature of the program is the creation of the Young Adult Advisory board.  The board meets monthly and focuses on increasing awareness of key young adult issues and developing the capacity to bring their perspectives to local and state decision-making bodies.  The Youth Advisory Board highlights the enormous potential, resiliency, energy, and civic spirit held by youth across our communities. According to YIT facilitator Tammy Knights, “The insight and ideas of young adults have proven to me that they are already leaders; the Youth Advisory Board gives them the opportunity to be heard.”  During the meetings, the board discusses barriers within the system, ideas on how to educate the public on youth issues, and members have developed Individual Life Plans (ILPs) that help them reach their life goals around education, employment, living situations, and community life.  The board is also bringing together other area Youth Boards to collaborate on young adult issues.

To learn more about the Youth In Transition Program
call NEKYS:   802-748-8732 or e-mail: nekys@nekys.org