Vermont Youth in Transition Grant
Bridging gaps for young adults in Vermont
Young Adult Involvement
May 7th Young Adult Voice Movement
219 Participants!
YOUNG ADULT INVOLVEMENT
Youth Involvement in systems of care means that young adults are participants in guiding systems that serve them. The System of Care philosophy places high priority on youth/young adult-guided and driven as core values. Youth-guided is when young adults have a voice and are partners in making decisions regarding their mental health and in related systems of care.
| Read more about Young Adult Involvement |
| Youth Involvement: A Guide to Empowerment |
| Principles for Engaging Young People |
| Pyramid of Involvement |
| Adultism |
| Vermont Young Adult Involvement Brochure |
How Young Adults Are Driving the Youth in Transition (YIT) Grant in Vermont
October 16th, 2009
If you weren’t among the 23 people there, you definitely missed out! The Collaboration Conference workshop about “Regional Planning for Vermont’s Youth in Transition Grant” inspired those of us lucky enough to see and hear the presentation by Springfield and Bennington representatives, aided by State-level Young Adult Coordinators Courtney Bridges and Vanessa Lang.
The undisputed highlight of the workshop was the presentation by Katrina Hollis and Crystal Careau, two single parents who with others - through the Sunrise Parent Child Center programs and Summer Youth Employment funds - have been working on/for the Bennington Youth in Transition Committee since May. Katrina and Crystal shared their research findings from surveys of over 100 young adults in the region followed by focus groups, and from comparing statistics about incidence of drug use and other data for Bennington vs. other communities.
They also shared the impact of this project on their lives, best summed up in the poster they made: “If three girls could go from no-one to SOMEONE in three months, IMAGINE what could happen over several years…”. Crystal spoke movingly of young people who feel no one wants them at home or in the community or to even hear their opinions, and how this grant feels like it is for her. “People now quiet down to hear us!” Listening to youth and giving them the microphone helps show youth what they can be. Katrina attributes her new motivation to complete high school and enroll in college to “this YIT planning committee…working with ‘head honchos’.” Two of those “head honchos” are Lorna Mattern, the Children’s Mental Health Director for United Counseling Services, and Robin Stromgren, planning consultant for YIT in Bennington. Both are awed by these young adults. Robin claims, “I have gained more from them than they have from me”, and Lorna says, “When YIT is on my calendar, it’s a good day.”
This year the Vermont Federation of Families is participating in the National Federation's Poster Contest. Young people were asked to create drawings and posters that represent what is important in their lives. Over 35 youth and young adults from Winooski, Rutland, and Montpelier took part!!
Young Adult Coordinator, Courtney Bridges advocates for young adult voice and inclusion throughout the system of care.
For more information please contact:
Cbridges@vffcmh.org
