North Central’s Transitional Teams provide services to young persons who have had emotional difficulties over a long period of time and those whose illness began in adolescence. The age range of persons served by Transitional Team I is 16 to 22. The minimum age for youths served by Transitional Team II is 14.

Qualified workers on both Transitional Teams provide intensive, community-based services. Staff are available on a 24-hour basis to help the youths manage the symptoms of their mental illness, complete educational goals, work toward their education and employment objectives, emancipate themselves and become integrated into the community.

Team staff members work within a person and family-centered model for recovery—the achievement of maximum levels of functional potential and community integration.

While services are focused on the individual, they are also family-centered to ensure that families remain an important resource in the young person’s life.

Team activities include: vocational/educational services and referrals, assistance in locating appropriate housing, assistance and training in daily living skills, connection to community resources, and assistance with benefits and entitlements.

Transitional Team I has been successful in emancipating many young people from the children’s system into mainstream independent livin—preventing many from entering the adult mental health system for the rest of their lives. Other young people with severe psychiatric disorders are helped to make a successful transition from the children’s system to the adult system of care.

The Transitional Teams are extensively involved with local schools, Juvenile Court, Youth Forum, and Franklin County Children Services.

Referral sources for the adolescents and young adults served by the teams include Netcare ACCESS, Twin Valley Behavioral Healthcare and other local hospital psychiatric units, North Central’s Family Focus program, and other providers serving teens and young adults.