Transition Age Youth (TAY)

The transition ages 15 to 25 span both the child and adult service systems and combines the shortcomings of each system with the problems of coordinating across the two.

Research suggests that transition age youth require significant support from their families and effective services throughout the transition period. While many families of young people with serious mental health conditions are a wonderful and central resource for their young adult child, many other families are less able to provide sufficient support because of limited resources due to low income, single-parenting, the challenges of parenting a child with a serious chronic condition, and parental difficulties.

Given the increased demands placed on families by job market changes, it is increasingly important that families of transition age youth be supported in their role of providing a safety net and resources to their young adult children.

The needs of these young people are a growing concern in our community and across the County of Los Angeles. Almost 70 percent of young adults on the streets “aged out” of foster care with no support and few skills to survive on their own. This transition is even more difficult for young people who are struggling with mental illness.

Along with building a bridge between service systems, our Transition Age Youth (TAY) programs help young people build the skills to live independently. We focus on the types of skills they need – education, employment, housing – to help them move into adulthood and the community at large on a path to recovery.

NAMI Urban Los Angeles offers goal planning, supported education, supported employment, health and wellness classes, peer mentoring and social activities for transition age youth. For TAY resources, visit our Resources page!