Transition of Youth and Young Adults with Emotional or Behavioral Difficulties (An Evidence-Supported Handbook)

As youth with emotional or behavioral difficulties transition from school and home settings, they face the complex challenges and expectations of adult life: finding and maintaining work, establishing new relationships, building a career, and more. This comprehensive professional handbook will help transition specialists, general and special educators, school psychologists, and administrators support youth and young adults in setting goals and achieving positive outcomes across employment, education, and community settings.

Drawing on the expertise of a wide range of contributors-practitioners, educators, researchers, administrators, parents, and young people themselves—this book collects our best, most current knowledge on supporting transitions for young people with mental health issues. Through up-to-date research and in-depth analyses of five successful transition programs, readers will discover how to

• apply evidence-supported practices to guide youth and young adults through the transition obstacle course
• bridge the gap between child and adult mental health services for consistent, coordinated care
• ensure effective adult services that are developmentally and culturally appropriate
• address system fragmentation, so the mental health, education, justice, and other systems can work together to serve children's best interests
• implement strategies for the transition from high school to meaningful employment or postsecondary training
• use peer supports to reach, engage, and coach young people as they move into adulthood
• reduce common risk behaviors through skillful prevention planning
• fund and sustain services and supports through a creative combination of federal, state, local, and private dollars
• implement a Continuous Quality Improvement process to recognize needs, build on strengths, and make required changes

Vignettes and first-person testimonials throughout the book strengthen readers' awareness of the challenges young people experience and how effective transition services can make a difference. Detailed examinations of program, system, policy, and research needs will help professionals shape the future of mental health supports—and ensure the best possible adult lives for the young people they serve.