While there are multiple programs and services for children and teens struggling with mental health, emotional and learning issues, young adults face transitional issues once released from these programs. Residential care for young adults provides the ongoing support required to enter society in a meaningful way yet can be difficult to find. Here, we look at care programs for young adults to help make the transition easier.
What Do Care Programs for Young Adults Offer?
Care programs for young adults offer a wide variety of programs suited to the needs of the individual. They offer combined resources that help young adults enter the world with the coping skills required to succeed in their chosen field. Students live in residents at facilities offering care programs yet have more freedom and less structure than what they would have experienced in teen residential boarding environments.
They still have access to a caring staff trained to offer guidance and continue to gain progressive levels of independence as they earn more trust. Critical skills are developed, allowing residents to reach full independence with the assistance of certified Coaches and therapists specializing in young adults. Programs offer varying levels of activities and services, including:
- Therapeutic living options
- Med management
- Life coaches
- Apartment staff
- Living quarters
- Fitness center and activities in a full-size gym
- Outdoor space for daily activities on campus
- Workshops
- Art
- Camping
- Off-campus adventures
The activities and services are suited to the individual to ensure everyone receives the support they need to achieve their personal goals.
What Types of Care For Young Adults With Special Needs are Available?
The government Section 8 program allows people with mild or moderate special needs and low incomes to gain independence within the community. However, it does not offer outlying support and requires the individual to seek employment to pay the balance of their rent. There are also community-based youth mental health services available in most communities that provide ongoing support, such as:
- Crisis support services and centers
- Targeted prevention services
- Short-term sessions for young adults with immediate needs
- Private counselling and therapy services
- Specialized consultation and assessment services
- Intensive treatment services for young adults in crisis
- Addictions services
Keep in mind that these options do not provide residence.
One of the best options is care programs for young adults that provide a loving and engaged environment where young adults with special needs continue to receive clinical, relationship-based treatments in a safe and secure environment. Instead of living alone without support, guidance and socialization, young adults continue to receive support to help them enjoy more positive outcomes.
As a result, they are more likely to enter the workforce and enjoy even more independence and success. Also, young adults are not left struggling on their own to seek suitable services and care centers; instead, they have ongoing access and assessments to ensure their needs are met.
Once young adults become more independent there are also independent living facilities where young adults learn how to live on their own. The clinical element is removed, allowing residents to achieve their personal goals as they mature while still being able to access clinical services as needed.
What to Look for in Care Programs for Young Adults
Ideally, the program is a boarding resident with certified staff offering the expertise to support residents and help them achieve their goals. The team would ideally include a mix of the following professionals:
- Medical personnel
- Teachers
- Apartment staff
- Life coaches
- Therapists
A low student/staff ratio is also important to ensure the right amount of attention is received so students can succeed. Personal therapists build close relationships with young adults with the goal of empowering them to achieve independence and live a productive life.
What is Residential Care For Young Adults With Autism?
For someone on the autism spectrum, the concept of independent living can be overwhelming. Organizations such as Autism Speaks can help young adults with autism plan their independence and find community support available. Services are available for young adults up to age 22 looking for independent housing. Before independence is recommended, Autism Speaks provides a roadmap of steps young adults should achieve, including:
- Building life skills while living at home
- Developing independent living strategies
- Understanding the Home and Community-based Services they can apply to
- Researching low-income housing options for a permanent home solution
- Understanding the financial side of independent living and saving to afford adult housing
- Securing the necessary residential services and supports that empower them to live independently
However, care programs such as those mentioned above are also available for young adults with autism. Care programs provide the support required to reach the milestones on the roadmap to help participants see the best possible outcomes.
Learn more about residential care programs for young adults here.