Transitions Programs
RCS Transitions Program provides services for foster youth ages 16 -24 years old. The THPP, THP-Plus, and TAY Wellness programs are dedicated to teaching youth independent living skills and skills for managing an overall healthy independent lifestyle.
Foster youth in general face overwhelming challenges on their road to independence. This is especially true in our communities where a lack of affordable housing is reaching crisis proportions. Foster youth must locate housing, find work, and sustain themselves as adults. Mendocino and Lake Counties recognize that our youth need housing and supportive, concrete services, delivered in a real-life environment, in order to prepare them for what’s ahead.
Each Program provides qualifying young adults with the opportunity to learn and practice independent living skills in order to facilitate independent living. Participants take an active role in implementing their individualized program and gain understanding in the areas of money management, banking, employment, food shopping, meal preparation, healthy living, cleanliness, safety, transportation, and utilizing community resources.
The THPP Program gives youth the option to reside in community sponsored Host Homes guided by an adult mentor or apartment living. THP-Plus/TAY Wellness participants share an apartment with a program peer. Host Homes receive a monthly stipend and utility payment, per youth. Youth are provided a stipend or financial assistance for basic living expenses. Depending on the program, youth are encouraged or required to work, with an implemented savings plan for their future.
The Transitions Program provides 24-hour emergency on-call services and extensive program support.
Transitional Housing Placement Program (THPP): 16-18 years old
THPP is an alternative to traditional foster care for emancipating foster youth and is an Independent Living Skills Program designed to encourage and mentor foster youth in preparation for independent living from foster care.
THPP also supports qualifying Regional Center consumers, 19-21 years old, in developing and managing an independent lifestyle.
Transitional Housing Program Plus (THP-Plus): 18-24 years old
THP-Plus is a 24 month independent living skills program designed to provide emancipated foster youth with the necessary tools to stabilize their housing situation, increase their employability, continue their education, and access community resources in order to manage an independent lifestyle.
Transition Age Youth (TAY) Wellness: 18-24 years old
TAY Wellness is a ‘Full Service Partnership’ with Mendocino County Mental Health that provides an array of services to Transition Age Youth who are specifically in need of mental health services as well as independent living skills support. The goal of TAY Wellness is to ensure that these young adults stabilize their housing situation, increase their employability, continue their education, and access community resources that support their physical health and their social and emotional wellbeing.
Mentor a Young Adult!
THPP is seeking in-home mentors who allow one to two transitioning young adults to reside in their home to practice and develop independent living skills in preparation for independent apartment living. Because this is a mentoring program and not a parenting program, each participant must have their own bedroom and the home cannot be certified for foster care, as well as host home. Host home mentors receive a monthly stipend for services (per youth). Each participant provides for their own groceries, utilities, personal items and entertainment.
See the Arbor on Main for additional services for Transition Age Youth.