Transitional Age Youth Program
A Best Practice Program to assist youth in developing the skills to live independently.
M.I.K.I.D.’s Transitional Age Youth Program (TAY) incorporates all youth in M.I.K.I.D. services aged 13-25 to assist them with building concrete skills and relationships needed to live successfully as a young adult. M.I.K.I.D. has found that working with the youth starting at 13 allows them time to establish a transition plan, which is crucial. The additional three years in M.I.K.I.D.’s TAY program produce a higher success rate because the youth have more time to understand the information and establish the skills and supports necessary for a successful transition. Although there are many TAY programs, M.I.K.I.D.’s TAY program is the only one that starts at age thirteen and uses an evidence-based curriculum, data-driven service plans, family involvement in services, and peer support.
M.I.K.I.D.’s TAY program uses an evidence-based TAY model from Toronto, Canada; data evaluation collected through the CASEY assessment, which is completed every few months; best practice curriculum (PAYA) developed by the Massachusetts Department of Social Services; the evidence-based family Roadmap by Wendy Lowe; and lived life experience to assist hundreds of youths in Arizona each year. The five main areas of assistance include:
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Supportive Relationships: Identifies healthy, supportive relationships in members' lives and teaches how to identify and prevent unhealthy relationships.
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Peer & Family Support: Provides support for members and their parents or guardians in achieving their goals. Both peer and family support have personal knowledge from firsthand involvement in navigating the children’s behavioral health system or other youth-serving systems. Peer and family support services are provided by someone successful in their recovery process. Peers work with youth 13-25 years old and family support works with parents or guardians.
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Economic Challenges Support: Educates and provides financial support to members to prepare for adulthood and independence. Members learn about comparison shopping, budgeting, and setting financial goals.
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Housing Support: Educates and provides resources to members on all types of housing options and helps them develop housing plans. Members learn about renting, home-buying, and home repair assistance. Members learn how to find emergency housing and avoid foreclosure and eviction. Youth who are informed about housing options are less likely to become homeless once they become an adult.
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Educational and Vocational Training: Prepares members for the workforce through training that meets the unique needs of the individual young adult and provides ongoing support with a trauma-informed approach to ensure job retention and success.
Our outreach and supportive services help participants gain access to health care and treatment, pursue educational goals, enter into rehabilitation and recovery programs, develop vocational and social skills, and secure housing and employment.
For youth ages (13 to 17) Program available as needed at any MIKID office site or in community.
Currently expanding services for young adults ages (18-25), please contact us for more information.
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Early transition planning for children in Foster Care, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD), and Title 19.
