Youth Services and the TAY Program in south eastern Ontario
Established in 1984, Youth Habilitation Quinte Inc. (Youthab) is a community based non-profit organization in H-PE dedicated to assisting youth aged 16 to 24. Our goal is to help young people living in the Quinte area to obtain and maintain safe and affordable housing, good mental health and employment. Programming has been tailored for youth in each of these three areas including TAY.
TAY in H-PE
Following two years of piloting, TAY funding has been annualized by the South East Local Health Integration Network (LHIN). Jennifer Corelli, our TAY Connector coordinates transitions and community supports for youth between 16 and 24 years of age who are struggling with mental health and/or addiction issues. Jennifer assists youth in their transition from one mental health and/or addictions service provider to another and/or connecting them with services for housing, employment, education, finances, health care, and daily activities to improve their emotional well-being.
In addition, Youthab has received funding from the South East LHIN for a TAY Connector position in Lanark, Leeds & Grenville (LL&G) and Kingston Frontenac Lennox & Addington (KFL&A).
TAY in LL&G
The children’s and adult Addictions and/or Mental Health (AMH) agencies in LL&G felt that TAY should be piloted in Lanark due to its high needs population. TAY was launched in June 2015 starting in Smiths Falls and Perth. Heather Vrbanac, our TAY Connector, is located at Open Doors (children’s mental health services) in Smiths Falls.
TAY in KFL&A
In collaboration with the core AMH agencies within the KFL&A Service Collaborative (SC) and the SC Coordinator, it was decided that TAY would launch in September 2015. TAY services complement the various youth programs and services in KFL&A and will be positioned clearly to youth, families and service providers.
TAY Connectors Provide:
- Coordination with transitions from one system to another
- Systems navigation and service coordination
- Intensive case management services
- Interim mental health counselling
- Empowerment to develop life skills and make good decisions
For TAY project enquiries, please email lilyl@youthab.ca