Transitional Youth Housing
The Transitional Youth Housing Program (TYHP) is a housing program developed to support young adults, ages 18 - 25 years old, in gaining independent living skills and self-sufficiency through a non-clinical peer support model with the ultimate goal of permanent housing. This program is funded by the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services (ADAMHS) Board of Cuyahoga County, and peer support services are contracted with Life Exchange Center (LEC), a peer-run operated organization.
Site Location
The program site is located just South of Lake Erie in the Collinwood community of Cleveland, Ohio. The apartment building has three floors and five one-bedroom units. The building is not wheelchair accessible.
Program Description
The provision of service are delivered through a peer support model for recovery, which utilizes trained individuals who have lived experience of mental health and/or substance use disorder, and have sustained a recovery program. These peer support specialists work under the auspices of LEC. Program staffing includes: one full-time program manager who supervises the program, and five part-time peer support specialists who provide support to the residents.
Each resident is assigned a peer support specialist to work with one-on-one to develop independence and self-sufficiency. The peer support specialist shares knowledge, offers emotional support, and teaches skills typically provided by a parent or caregiver. They aid residents in learning specific skills to maintain their behavioral health symptoms, obtain/maintain employment, manage finances, initiate higher educational goals if desired, and develop social supports in the community, resulting in the goal of obtaining permanent housing as defined by the individual resident.
Participation in the housing program is time-limited, up to 12 months, and should not be considered permanent housing. Residents with income or benefits will be required to pay a monthly per diem rate.
Eligibility
Eligible candidates must meet the following criteria:
• Referred by a CPST/Case Manager
• 18 - 25 years of age
• DSM-5 diagnosis (i.e. Mental Health and/or Substance Use Disorder)
• Stabilized behavioral health symptoms for no less than two months
• Independently maintain behavioral health treatment regimen, as programming is NOT clinical treatment focused
• Exclusion criteria: sex offenders, violent history. Felony offenders will be considered on a case by case basis.
To Make a Referral
Complete the Transitional Youth Housing Program Referral form and submit to ADAMHS Board of Cuyahoga County, Myra Henderson, LISW-S, Adult Behavioral Health Specialist II, via confidential fax at 216-776-3069. For additional information, please contact her at 216-479-3269.
