2. Moving Forward & Turning the Curve Mary-K O’Sullivan, LMFT, LADC, LPC DMHAS Young Adult Services

3. CHALLENGES
Every Two Weeks We Are Paid To Follow Policies and Procedures To Do Our Respective Jobs We Are Also Paid To Effectively Serve We Are Also Paid To Be Creative in Serving THESE CAN SEEM INHERENTLY CONFLICTING PRIORITIES AT TIMES

4. Summit Youth Contributors Comments/Suggestions For Change
Let Youth Have A Voice; Let Them Be Heard; Respect Youth Voices
Providers Open to All Troubled Youth; Staff The Are Truly Invested & Care About Their Job
Outreach: Utilize the Correct Channels To Bring Youth In (Facebook & Other Social Media)
Go Over Guidelines That Turn Youth Away From Programs
Marketing of Available Resources To Youth
Be Fair – Give Everyone an Equal Opportunity
Race/Ethnicity Does Not Always Classify Someone as Less Fortunate
All “Good” Communities Have Parts That “Are Not Good”
Approach Anyone and Everyone Professionally, No Matter What Pre-judgments May Be

5. Summit Youth Contributors Comments/Suggestions For Change
Everyone Needs Help; Learn How To Help “US”
More Youth Events and Activities
Need More Moral Support, Not Just Career-wise, But Socially
Help A Person Feel Wanted; Partnership
Staff Need The Ability To Recognize Other’s Ways of Learning and Build Upon These Using A Variety of Skills
We Need More Options; Not Everyone Wants To Do The Same Thing; Most Youths Lose Interest in Something That We Aren’t Interested In
“We Are Young Adults, Not Kids. I’d Like To Be Treated As An Adult

6. CHANGING THE DIALOG CAN CHANGE THE PROCESS
HOW DO WE DO THIS???

7. MAKE AN EMPATHETIC SHIFT

8. BECOME EDUCATED ABOUT TRUE BARRIERS

9. NOT ALL EXPLANATIONS ARE EXCUSES!!!
I Didn’t Come to My Appointment Because It Was Scheduled During The Only Time That I Can Get Food At The Soup Kitchen
Getting Sober Means Being Overwhelmed With Feelings Of Self- Harm and Suicide
My Medication Makes Me Feel Strange So I Don’t Take It
I Am Couch Surfing And Couldn’t Find Transportation To The Interview
I Slept Outside Last Night And Could Not Shower So I Did Go To Look For A Job

10. TALK AND LISTEN TO THE EXPERTS: FILTER THE ISSUES THROUGH THE YOUTH EXPERIENCE

11. SUMMIT YOUTH SPEAK!! Negative Aspects of Being In A Youth Program
Positive Aspects of Being In a Youth Program
Support
Diversity
Caring
Opportunity
Networking
Always Learning
Self-awareness
Skills Development
Resources
Confidence
Trust
Partnerships
Time-limited
Budgets!!; Youth Funding Cuts
Need More Events & Networking
Focus on Negatives
Deficit Based
Focus on ALL Youth
Overlapping Programs
Lacking Skills
Need ACTION; Need TALKING
Not Willing To Network; Lack of Collaboration
No Transportation
“Clickish”
Lack of Trust

12. REDEFINE PARTICIPATION AND SUCCESS
Are Our Expectations Realistic? Do We See Progress As A Journey Not Just A Destination? Are We Defining The Beneficial Outcome Measures?/Are We Measuring The Right Things?

13. CAREER PATHWAYS CREATING A SUSTAINABLE WAGE
Striving For A Career Can Come Through Many Steps First Goal: Stabilize The Hierarchy Second Goal: Strive For The Dream The Sky’s The Limit!!!

14. YOUTH SUGGESTIONS FOR NEXT STEPS
Youth Conference Call
Planning a “Kick Off”
Group Chat Through App “Group Me”
Conference Texting
Once A Month Planning Meetings

15. YOUTH SUMMIT NEXT STEPS
Please Provide Three Suggestions For Changes That You Would Like To See In The Next Year Within The Area of Workforce Development & Youth Services

16. Know The Resources
TurningPointCt.org (By and for Teens and Young Adult in CT) turningpointct.org CCAR Young Adult and Families Program CT RISE Program CTSTRONG RISE UP Program YES Program NAMI Young Adult Connection Community