Transitional housing for young adults with mental illness

Emerging Adults Program for Youth Leaving Foster Care or Mental Health Residential Treatment

TheEmerging Adults program is a strengths-based program to support young adults, ages 18-25, who have mental illness or a co-occurring disorder, as they transition to adulthood.  

The Emerging Adults program, operated by Park Center, is comprised of two components: Emerging Adults Housing and Emerge. Emerging Adults Housing provides quality, affordable and safe supportive housing with individualized support services for young adults who have been either in foster care or in treatment for mental illness or a co-occurring substance use disorder, and have very low income. As young adults demonstrate their ability to live more independently, the program assists in their transition to more independent community living.

Emerge is a life skills program for young adults living with mental illness and/or serious emotional disturbances and/or co-occurring substance use disorders. The Emerge program educates young adults on mental health, substance use disorders, and life skills. Group topics include coping skills, medication education, financial management, nutrition, personal grooming and hygiene, relationship building, and more. While in the Emerge program, young adults actively work toward employment and education goals. Daily community outings may include visiting museums, parks, and community centers and involve activities like playing sports and performing music.

For more information and eligibility criteria, visit: https://parkcenternashville.org/services/emerging-adults-services/

Julia Barlar, Director of Emerging Adult Programs
Phone:  615-242-3576, ext. 600
Fax: (615) 228-4344
Email:  

Deborah Ward, Emerging Adults Housing Supervisor
Phone: (615) 242-3576, ext. 601
Fax: (615) 228-4344
Email: 

The Office of Mental Health (OMH) announces this Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development and operation of a 27 bed Enhanced Young Adult Scattered Site Supportive Housing program located in New York City for young adults with a serious mental illness (SMI).

The target population for all 27 beds in this program are: young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 with serious mental illness coming from an institutional setting, leaving foster care, or are homeless. Some individuals may have a co-occurring Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and be at various stages of recovery. See Appendix D in the pre-submission uploads in Grants Gateway.

The Enhanced Young Adult Supportive Housing Program is scattered-site housing that can be sited in any borough in New York City. However, all 27 beds must be in one borough.

Although supportive housing is permanent housing, the agency will be expected to transition the individuals to an adult housing slot within their agency, another agency or to independent housing, as the individual progresses in their recovery and no later than their 26th birthday.

Adult Transitional Living Program

Skyland Trail offers transitional housing apartments on the Skyland Trail North Transitional Living campus where clients live on their own with moderate support from our staff. Skyland Trail North includes 13, two-bedroom apartments. Transitional clients have a private bedroom, and share a bathroom and living area with another client. Skyland Trail North also includes community living areas, a community dining room and kitchen, and gardens.

COVID-19 Program Update

Transitional Living

All clients entering the Transitional Living community are fully vaccinated for Covid-19.

Transitional clients may leave campus, and are encouraged to wear masks and practice physical distancing while away from campus.

Visitors are not permitted on campus at this time.

Transitional staff are organizing virtual activities and off-campus activities at outdoor venues.

Transitional Living Eligibility

Clients may live in transitional housing at Skyland Trail North while in the day treatment or intensive outpatient programs. Residential clients may not live in transitional housing. Clients may continue to live in the Skyland Trail North Transitional Living community after they graduate from Skyland Trail intensive programs as long as they continue to meet transitional living program expectations and requirements for therapeutic engagement and purposeful activities in the community.

Note that space in our transitional housing program is limited. Not all clients will qualify for our transitional housing program. Clients in our dual diagnosis program and clients with a history of substance use cannot be adequately supported in our transitional housing program and will be referred to a third party recovery residence or sober living community.

Transitional Living and Independence Coaching

All clients in our transitional living program must also participate in our independence coaching program. An independence coach visits clients in their apartments at least once each week (more frequently if needed) to ensure clients are successfully adjusting to independent living and are taking their medications appropriately. The coach also provides assistance with practical matters like paying bills, planning transportation, accessing community resources and making and sticking to a schedule.

Transitional Living and Outpatient Programs

Clients in transitional housing may enroll in additional outpatient programs. The Life Enrichment Adult Program (LEAP) provides regular socialization opportunities that help clients meet new friends, develop relationships and grow in their sense of self-worth and belonging. At this time, LEAP activities include support groups, book clubs, art and music lessons, group fitness and recreation, and outings to outdoor venues in the community where physical distancing is possible. Transitional clients may also be interested in vocational services, or primary care services through the Glenn Family Wellness Clinic.

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