TAY One-Stop Centers- 7/28/08

The Mental Health Services Act (MHSA), passed by California voters in 2004 as Proposition 63, has created opportunities for supporters of Transition Age Youth to advocate for policies and programs that will result in positive outcomes for more TAY who suffer from a severe mental illness (including, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, chronic depression, and anxiety disorders).

Over the last year, CAYEN has obtained feedback, suggestions and opinions from TAY throughout the state about a number of issues that affect adolescents and young adults through surveys, focus groups, and numerous informal interviews and meetings. A significant finding suggests that a “one-stop” or “drop-in” center would be more effective in reaching and engaging transition age youth and young adults into mental health services and programs than programs and services delivered in a county mental health building or a mental health/psychiatric clinic.

The “One-Stop TAY Centers” would ideally have:
- TAY involved in all decisions,
- peer to peer supports,
- access to computers for job and education searches,
- a game room with pool tables, a TV, and board games,
- a family/community environment,
- laundry facilities,
- shower facilities,
- benefits assistance,
- housing and transportation assistance,
- probation assistance,
- counseling services/programs available,
- education and job placement assistance.

For more information on TAY centers, please visit our website www.ca-yen.org.

Visit the following links for more information on models of TAY centers currently in operation:

Alameda County- Youth Uprising
http://www.youthuprising.org/index.html

Humboldt County- The RAVEN Project, Youth Services Bureau
http://rcaa.org/ysb/stroutrch.html

San Mateo County- Edgewood Turning Point Drop-In Center
http://www.edgewood.org/whatwedo/community/turning-point.html

San Bernardino County- TAY One-Stop Center
Website is under construction, but this is the link to their development proposal and contact information.
http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/dbh/MHSA/CSS/CSS_Work_Plan_TAY1.pdf
http://www.co.san-bernardino.ca.us/dbh/childrenservices/childrenservices.asp

CAYEN will continue to promote and advocate for the development of more TAY One-Stop Centers throughout the state. Contact us if you would like to join our efforts to make this happen in your county.

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