Young Adult Services Division
WHO WE ARE
DMHAS – Young Adult Services (YAS) was developed to help young adults transition successfully from the Dept. of Children & Families to the adult mental health system and to achieve the necessary skills for adulthood.
Our Mission
Our mission is to improve the lives of young people by providing the highest quality services possible. We do this by forming a partnership with the individual, their family, identified significant persons, and with other community service providers. By doing so we create a “community of care” that fosters mutual respect and individualized client centered treatment.
Who We Serve
In order to be considered for Young Adult Services, an individual must be between the ages of 18 and 25 with a history of DCF involvement. They must also have a history of a major mental health problem.
YAS Program Locations
Young Adult Service programs have been developed at community mental health agencies throughout Connecticut.
WHAT WE DO
Our goal is to provide the types of supports our clients will need to make their journey to adulthood successful. Types of supports include mental health treatment, employment support, life skill development and housing assistance.
Trauma Sensitive Treatment
Many of the young people who have been referred to us have experienced trauma, including neglect and physical, and/or sexual abuse, and as a result, may suffer from associated symptoms. Because of this, all aspects of our services are trauma sensitive and built upon the principles of trauma treatment.
Client Centered Approach
We believe that young adults with mental health difficulties and other problems, can be helped to achieve and maintain stability if given the right support, guidance, education, treatment, and skills. The best way to begin this process is to collaborate with DCF prior to an individual’s 18th birthday and develop a service plan together with the individual. The active involvement of the client, their family, and the community in the development of the recovery plan is essential to success.
PROGRAM SERVICES
YAS program services are community based, supporting the individual in their own residence. Services include clinical, case management, educational and/or employment supports and residential assistance.
Clinical Services
Thorough clinical assessment, med- ication evaluation and management, individual/group therapy and skill development focus on individual needs.
Case Management
Program staff meets with each program participant regularly to provide support, and coordinate services that will help address their needs and meet their goals. There is a strong focus on life skill development.
Residential Services
A variety of residential supports are provided in our programs, including transition services with short-term availability of staff up to 24 hours per day / 7 days per week. Staff typically visit clients in their apartments in order to assist, teach, and support them in activities which foster independence.
Educational/Employment Services
Supportive educational and employment services are available to each program participant. Each participant is expected to work or attend an educational program.
PROGRAM FORMS
CONSUMER COMMENTS
“Young Adults Services gave me a safe place to live and staff who really care about me. Because of that, I’m able to work on myself and start a life that I really want.”
Current YAS Client
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the help of my case manager and my therapist. They believed in me. Two years ago I was going nowhere and my life was a mess. Now, I have a decent job, I’m planning to get married, and I feel great about myself.”
YAS Program Graduate
PROGRAM STAFF
Cheryl L. Jacques, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., Director of YAS
Nikki Richer, LCSW, Director of Operations
Daniel Brockett, Ph.D., Clinical Director
Amy Marracino, LCSW, Director of Community Programs
Lisa Zurolo, LCSW, Director of Intake and Utilization Management
Elaine Flynn-York, LCSW, Director of Prevention and Parenting Services
Clinical Assessment and Consultation Team
Taline Andonian, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist
Nancy Fredine, Ph.D.
Erin Hughes, Psy.D., Clinical Psychologist
Steven Pierce, Psy.D.
Evaluation, Monitoring, and Consultation Team
Robert Donovan, Ph.D.
Elaine Flynn-York, LCSW
John Holland, Ph.D., LCSW
Joan Junior, LCSW
Mark Meola, LCSW
Wilma Rosario, Administrative Assistant
Stephanie Zanker-Rivera, LPC
For additional information, contact Young Adult Services at (860) 262-6988, or mail to:
DMHAS Young Adult Services
1000 Silver Street
P. O. Box 351
Middletown, CT 06457
Content Last Modified on 2/28/2014 11:19:52 AM
