In the fall of 2008, a Brant agency requested assistance from the SNSC in their quest to better support challenging persons that were transitioning from children’s to adult services. These individuals were presenting significant issues to the agency as they had very different needs from the population that the agency had a history of supporting. Significant mental health issues, extreme behavioural issues, street-involved activities were just a few of the concerns that were identified. The agency was looking for training resources for their staff group to better prepare them for supporting this group.
Further discussions identified this was a growing issue for agencies across the Southern Region, not just for agencies in Developmental Services, but other sectors were experiencing similar concerns. The Southern Network of Specialized Care decided to create a resource toolkit that could be used by service providers to better support challenging youth who are transitioning into adult services.
In preparation for the Toolkit, discussions were held with specific clinicians, including Behaviour Clinicians, Dual Diagnosis Nurses and Case Managers, and all of the Local Service Delivery Network, Dual Diagnosis Committees in the Southern Region. During the spring of 2009 conversations and surveys identified the greatest issues/needs. A summary of issues and training needs was developed from these discussions. A working group of clinicians and persons with particular interest in the Transitional Age Youth population was formed to put together information about resources that would assist service providers as they work with these young people.
In January of 2010, a consultant, Leslie Auger, was hired to help put all of the information together that had been gathered by the working group. In addition, it was determined that the Toolkit should also have some practical information about how to deal with certain situations. Thus the TIP Sheets were developed to meet this need.
The first draft of the Toolkit was presented to three Focus Groups held across the Southern Region in May of 2010. The response from these groups was very encouraging as they were very positive about the Toolkit and made many suggestions for improvements and additions that have been incorporated to create the final copy.
This Toolkit is for service providers who are working with youth with a developmental disability between the ages of 16 and 25 yrs who are in transition between children’s and adult services. While the Toolkit was developed to support persons with a developmental disability, many of the resources and TIP’s will be applicable to any youth transitioning to adulthood.
Please note that this is not a recipe book to be followed but a list of resources and ideas that may be helpful for service providers. We have presented this information in a way that allows for updated and local information to be added.
We, at the Southern Network of Specialized Care hope that you will find this Toolkit useful as you work to support youth in transition.