Connecticut Services for Young Adults


United Way 2-1-1 ♦ DMHAS Young Adult Services ♦ Turning Point CT


Accessing Youth Services through 2-1-1

The United Way of Connecticut 2-1-1 line for information services has expanded in order to better meet the needs of youth and young adults. With the help of community partners like CCEH and the Youth Action Hub, 2-1-1 has collected feedback on how to tailor services to the younger population, including the creation of a youth services page. The 211 Youth Resource Page offers access to a variety of services as well as several ways to connect, through the phone or by messaging on a secure chat feature.


Accessing Youth Services through 2-1-1 

 

For information on the Emergency Young Adult Funds, click here.


Connecticut Young Adult Mental Health Services

DMHAS Young Adult Services provides specialized, age and developmentally appropriate supports for young people, many of whom are transitioning out of the DCF system of care, who are diagnosed with a major mental illness, neurocognitive disabilities and/or significant trauma. Age-specific programs and trauma sensitive services have been developed at both state-operated and private non-profit agencies throughout Connecticut to assist this population of young people with their successful transition into adulthood.

Their treatment philosophy is based on the premise that young adults with psychiatric issues and their families can be assisted in achieving and maintaining stability if given appropriate recovery supports, guidance, education, treatment, and opportunity to develop skills. This process is begun with a comprehensive age and developmentally sensitive assessment, culminating in diagnosis, active treatment and the use of positive skills and strength-based, development-enhancing approaches. The active involvement of the client, the client’s family and the community in the development and operationalization of the recovery plan is essential to a successful outcome. The goal of all services is aimed at accomplishing independent community living.

Young Adult Services have been designed to meet the clinical, cultural, age-related and developmental needs of young people with prodromal or full-blown major mental illness and/or co-occurring disorders. All of services are predicated upon a client’s individualized needs and are voluntary and recovery focused. Services include:

  • Assisting clients to develop viable and durable recovery and social support systems
  • Fostering school success and vocational readiness with a significant emphasis on assisting clients in the early phases of employment
  • Fostering adaptive, pro-social behaviors
  • Teaching independent living skills and social skills
  • Fostering supportive relationships using both traditional clinical supports, positive behavioral supports, case management, wraparound and nontraditional supports
  • Providing services in vivo; focusing on activities and emphasizing stabilization through supports, rather than relying predominantly on office-based psychotherapy
  • Teaching symptom and illness management skills
  • Reinforcing substance abuse prevention and treatment
  • Utilizing planned, structured step-downs to less intensive levels of support commensurate with clients’ progress

Young Adult Mental Health Resources