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Oregon Health Authority

Supports for Youth and Young Adults

Overview

Young adults are moving through one of society’s most challenging developmental stages—From dependency on their parents and caregivers to providing for themselves and defining their values and individuality.

When given the individualized supports and opportunities they need, young adults living with behavioral health challenges can prepare for a successful transition into adulthood.

Young Adult Hubs are regionally unique programs. Hubs are designed to engage marginalized and disconnected young adults . They do this through accessible, holistic, non-stigmatizing and developmentally appropriate services.

Services are provided for young people who have been:

  • So disconnected from resources that they are unlikely to access available insured services through outpatient programs.
  • Marginalized and disconnected from other supports due to extreme situational and social circumstances. Marginalized populations include lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) youth, youth experiencing houselessness and young adults with high suicide risk.
  • Involved in state systems, including foster care and residential treatment.
  • Diagnostically screened out of Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA).

Modeled in part after Australia’s headspace centers, the Hub model emphasizes:

  • Peer-delivered services and supports,
  • Outreach to marginalized and vulnerable young adults, and
  • Access to developmentally appropriate services, all within a strong youth development framework.

Services can include (tailored to the specific sites):

  • Educational support
  • Employment support
  • Housing support
  • Case management
  • Peer support
  • Mental health support
  • Skills training

Find a hub near you:

Central Oregon: Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties.

Portland Metro (STRIDE Program): Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties

Southern Oregon (Youth ERA Medford Drop) - Jackson County

Willamette Valley (PeaceHealth HUB and Clinical High Risk Programs) - Lane County

  • Intake Coordinator: Keely Beach
  • Referral Line: 458-205-7070

​The Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA):

  • Provides information and support to young adults, age 12 to 25, experiencing early symptoms of psychosis. 
  • Serves people for up to two years. EASA teams include counselors, case managers, occupational and supported employment/education specialists, medical staff, and family education and mentorship.
  • Has a center for excellence shared by Portland State University and Oregon Health & Science University. The center provides Oregon with training, technological assistance and fidelity guidance.

EASA provides:

  • Fast access to psychiatric and counseling services
  • Education about causes, treatment and management of psychosis
  • Coaching on rights regarding access to employment, school, housing and additional resources
  • Family psycho-education and support groups
  • Support for vocational education and independent living goals
  • Access to local teams including psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists and occupational therapists

EASA Brochure (English) (Spanish)

Find your local EASA program

​Youth ERA focuses on direct service, training, and advocacy for youth and young adults. These are the building blocks for creating lasting change for young people in communities across the country.

Youth ERA currently has five drop in centers: Clackamas, Coos, Salem and Medford Drop.

  • The Drops are inclusive drop-in center spaces. At the Drops, youth can receive peer support, gain leadership skills, meet new people, and achieve their goals.
  • Inspired by the headspace model and enhanced through the integration of Positive Youth Development, the Youth Era Drop Model affects thousands each year.

Youth ERA also provides opportunities for training and leadership for youth and young adults. Opportunities include Youth and Young Adult Engagement Advisory (YYEA). This statewide group of young adults advocates for the needs of young people who struggle with mental health and addiction challenges.

​A primary component to the wellness of a young person is their connection to family members. Often, youth in child-serving systems are separated from their families. They also may not know about their extended family. Family Search and Engagement (FSE) is a unique service that helps individuals:

  • Find family members who may not be in contact,
  • Find family members who may be completely unknown to the youth, 
  • Build connections with these family members, and
  • Engage the family members as long-term natural supports.

Catholic Community Services has provided FSE services for OHA since 2015.

How it works

Any individual or their guardian can contact Catholic Community Services for FSE services.

FSE searches for members throughout the country in many ways. Searches may include extensive family mapping, genealogy services and DNA testing.

After identifying relatives, FSE staff uses flexible spending funds to  help youth to identify activities to enhance connection. 

Engaging family members has been shown to improve the total wellness of youths. Identified family members often become long-term natural supports; some even become placement options.​

Referrals and Questions

Tawny Townsend 
Family Search and Engagement Supervisor
Phone: 503-348-80​78

Young Adults in Transition (YAT) Residential Treatment Homes (RTH) are for young adults (17.5 to 25 years old) who experience complex behavioral health challenges. 

YAT RTHs provide 24-hour supervision and support, focusing on helping residents develop the skills needed to manage their mental health symptoms and transition into adulthood. 
Services and supports include, but are not limited to: 
  • Therapy and medication management  
  • Case Management to connect to additional services as needed (i.e. supported employment, etc.) 
  • Skill development focusing on: 
    • Self-managing emotions and mental health symptoms 
    • Nutrition, personal hygiene, clothing care and grooming 
    • Managing physical or health problems as needed 
    • Money and household management  
    • Communication skills for social, health care, community resources 
    • Recreational and social activities  
There are seven homes, located in Albany, Eugene, Grants Pass, Pendleton, Portland, Salem and Tigard.

For questions about YAT, please contact:

Christie Taylor
Young Adult Services Coordinator 
Phone: (503) 551-8948
christie.taylor@oha.oregon.gov​




YAT Admissions

Starting January 1, 2023, all referrals for YAT RTH will be submitted directly to the programs. The current application can be found below. Contacts for the programs can be found on page one of the application.

All referrals must include a completed application form, along with supporting clinical documentation (list of documentation can be found on page two of the application).

Referral sources include, but are not limited to, Oregon Department of Human Services, Child Welfare, Oregon Youth Authority, county mental health programs, community mental health agencies, acute psychiatric units and young adults themselves. 


YAT RTH Application Fillable Form
YAT RTH Application Printable.pdf

 









Contact

Page Info

Christie Taylor​

Young Adult Services Coordinator
503-551-8948

she/her/hers