The transition from adolescence to adulthood is a challenging time. It is a time in which the young person is called upon to make complex decisions about schooling, work, finances, and personal relationships. Many youth in transition, particularly those with mental health challenges, encounter numerous obstacles as they transition from school and child welfare systems to their adult lives. Failing to provide much needed programs and services could have an adverse impact on these youths, their families, and institutions that are not prepared to assist this important population.

What is a Transition-Age Youth

Transition-age youth are adolescents and young adults (ages 14-25) who have a diagnosable mental illness that has led to impaired functioning in one or more life domains. Examples of life domains include housing, education and employment, quality of life and functioning and life skills. Developmentally, transition-age youth are interdependent, seeking their own identity and independence while still partially dependent on the support of family members, caregivers and service providers.

Best practices for serving transition-age youth incorporate the principles of recovery, resiliency cultural competence and care that is youth-guided and family-driven.

The System of Care approach is also characterized by multi-agency sharing of resources and responsibilities and by the full participation of professionals, families, and youth as active partners in planning, funding, implementing, and evaluating services and system outcomes. The SOC approach facilitates cross-agency coordination of services, regardless of where or how children and families enter the system. Families and youth work in partnership with public and private organizations to design mental health services and supports that are effective, that build on the strengths of individuals, and that address each person’s cultural and linguistic needs.