Chatham County Safety Net Planning Council

Safety Net Spotlight

Gateway Community Service Board’s Free Youth to Adult Program Provides Critical Supports for Struggling Young People

Jess Matthewson, Program Manager for the Youth to Adult Program, helps young adults struggling with mental health or substance abuse.

The Youth to Adult Program (YTA) at Gateway Community Service Board is designed to fill in the gaps of services for young adults between the ages of 16 to 26 in Chatham County struggling with their mental health or substance abuse.  By providing community-based, age-appropriate treatment, the YTA Program seeks to engage both young adults and their families and strives to meet their multiple and complex needs while building on strengths and community supports so they can improve functioning at home, school, work, in the community and throughout life.

Young people can participate in a variety of services offered at the individual or group level. While engaged in the program a person will be encouraged to identify individual goals important to them and then drill down to identify what barriers are preventing them to realize their hopes and dreams. We help and support them in taking steps toward overcoming these barriers, with a strong focus on maintaining mental wellness.

These services are provided free of charge as funded by a grant from the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD).

For information, contact Jessica Matthewson at (912) 345-1904 or email, jessica.matthewson@gatewaybhs.org.

A few of their wonderful success stories:
A young mother was referred to the YTA Program from her Substance Abuse Group. She identified that her major goal was to regain custody of her son. Parameters for custody included successfully completing a Substance Abuse program and maintaining gainful employment. The mom had not been able to successfully find employment because she did not have a copy of her birth certificate. Through the YTA grant, we were able to purchase a copy of her birth certificate and she was able to find full-time employment. She was able to meet weekly with the YTA Program Manager for support and guidance as she completed her Substance Abuse program. One month after graduating from the Substance Abuse program the consumer is living independently, has maintained employment, and regained custody of her child.

A young man was referred to the YTA Program from his case worked at Georgia Regional. He was reluctant to engage in any counseling or case management services. The YTA Program Manager was persistent and continued to contact him until he agreed to a meeting. During that meeting, he revealed a desire to further understand his condition. The YTA Program Manager explained the Peer Empowerment Program and linked him up with a ride to attend one the next day. When the young man arrived the next day the YTA Program Manager provided a warm hand-off to the Peer Program as well as the consumer’s Case Manager. The YTA Program Manager met individually with him and review his diagnosis, counseling him on different support resources available. Currently, this young man is employed and a “regular” at both the Peer Program and the YTA weekly groups. We are happy to report that recently he has expressed interest in becoming a Certified Peer Specialist-Youth to help other young adults.

GATEWAY’S YOUTH TO ADULT GROUP Details…

Depression, anxiety, PTSD, and other mental health struggles make the transition from the teen years to young adulthood even more difficult than it already is. Serving individuals in Chatham County between the ages of 18 – 26 & their families.

Young Adults ages 18-25 are invited to join us for this FREE weekly group to learn about how to overcome the obstacles they may face as they transition into adulthood & to meet new friends.

Snacks and refreshments provided!

Topics Include
• Money Management
• Coping Techniques
• Community Service Projects
• Goal Setting
• Resume Writing
• Monthly Party

Meeting Information

Tuesday Group:
3:30-4:30
Gateway Administration Office, 3 Oglethorpe Professional Blvd., Savannah (next to Star Castle)
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Wednesday Group:
3:30-4:30
LGBT Center, 1515 Bull Street, Savannah