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Supports for Youth and Young Adults

Overview

Young adults are moving through one of society’s most challenging developmental stages—From dependency on their parents and caregivers to providing for themselves and defining their values and individuality.

When given the individualized supports and opportunities they need, young adults living with behavioral health challenges can prepare for a successful transition into adulthood.

Young Adult Hubs are regionally unique programs designed to engage marginalized and disconnected young adults through accessible, holistic, non-stigmatizing and developmentally appropriate services.

Services are provided for young people who have:

  • Become disconnected from resources to such an extent that they are unlikely to access available insured services through outpatient programs.
  • Become marginalized and disconnected from other supports, due to extreme situational and social circumstances, such as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ) youth, youth experiencing houseless-ness and young adults with high suicide risk.
  • Been involved in state systems, including foster care and residential treatment.
  • Been diagnostically screened out of Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA).

Modeled in part after Australia’s headspace centers, the Hub model emphasizes:

  • Peer-delivered services and supports,
  • Outreach to marginalized and vulnerable young adults, and
  • Access to developmentally appropriate services, all within a strong youth development framework.

Services can include (tailored to the specific sites):

  • Educational support
  • Employment support
  • Housing support
  • Case management
  • Peer support
  • Mental health support
  • Skills training

Find a hub near you:

Central Oregon: Deschutes, Jefferson and Crook counties.

Portland Metro (STRIDE Program): Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties

Southern Oregon (Youth ERA Medford Drop) - Jackson County

Willamette Valley (PeaceHealth HUB and Clinical High Risk Programs) - Lane County

  • Intake Coordinator: Keely Beach
  • Referral Line: 458-205-7070

​The Early Assessment and Support Alliance (EASA):

  • Provides information and support to young adults, age 12 to 25, experiencing early symptoms of psychosis. provides information and support to young adults, age 12 to 25, experiencing early symptoms of psychosis.
  • Serves people for up to two years. EASA teams include counselors, case managers, occupational and supported employment/education specialists, medical staff, and family education and mentorship.
  • Has a center for excellence shared by Portland State University and Oregon Health and Science University, located in Portland, Oregon. The center provides Oregon with training, technological assistance and fidelity guidance.

EASA provides:

  • Fast access to psychiatric and counseling services
  • Education about causes, treatment and management of psychosis
  • Coaching on rights regarding access to employment, school, housing and additional resources
  • Family psycho-education and support groups
  • Support for vocational education and independent living goals
  • Access to local teams including psychiatrists, social workers, psychologists and occupational therapists

EASA Brochure (English) (Spanish)

Find your local EASA program

​Youth ERA focuses on direct service, training, and advocacy for youth and young adults—the building blocks for creating lasting change for young people in communities across the country.

Youth ERA currently has five drop in centers: Clackamas, Coos, Salem and Medford Drop.

  • The Drops are inclusive drop-in center spaces where youth can receive peer support, gain leadership skills, meet new people, and achieve their goals.
  • Inspired by the headspace model and enhanced through the integration of Positive Youth Development, the Youth Era Drop Model impacts thousands each year.

Youth ERA also provides opportunities for training and leadership for youth and young adults including Youth and Young Adult Engagement Advisory (YYEA), a statewide group of young adults advocating for the needs of young people struggling with mental health and addiction challenges.

​A primary component to the wellness of a young person is the connection they have to their family members. Often, youth in child-serving systems are separated from their families and have no knowledge of their extended family. Family Search and Engagement (FSE) is a unique service that helps individuals:

  • Find family members who may not be in contact or may be completely unknown to the youth, and
  • Build connections with their new family members to engage them as long-term supports.

The Oregon Health Authority has contracted with Catholic Community Services for FSE services since 2015.

How it works

Any individual or their guardian can contact Catholic Community Services for FSE services.

FSE uses a variety of methods to search for members throughout the country, including extensive family mapping, the use of genealogy services and DNA testing.

After identifying relatives, FSE staff uses flexible spending funds to work with the youth to identify activities to enhance connection. Identified family members are engaged as natural supports and have shown to have very positive impacts on the total wellness of a youth. The family members that are identified often become long-term natural supports and some even become placement options.

Referrals and Questions

Courtney Elkins, MS
Family Search and Engagement Supervisor
Phone: (503) 939-3321

​

These homes ​are for young adults (17.5 to 25 years old) who experience complex behavioral health challenges. The homes focus on helping residents develop the skills they need for successful transition into adulthood, and provide 24-hour supervision and support.

Services include but are not limited to:

  • Crisis stabilization including therapy and medication management as needed
  • Skill development focused on self-managing emotions and mental health symptoms
  • Money and household management 
  • Skills development focused on nutrition, personal hygiene, clothing care and grooming
  • Communication skills for social, health care, community resources 
  • Skill development on managing physical or health problems as needed
  • Supported education and employment 
  • Recreational and social activities

There are seven homes, located in Albany, Eugene, Grants Pass, Pendleton, Portland, Salem and Tigard.​

Referrals and Questions

Jessica Stout, MS, LPC
​Juvenile Justice Policy and Program Coordinator 
Phone: (503) 757-4722

email: jessica.l.stout@dhsoha.state.or.us​​​ ​​​ 

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Contact

Page Info

Lev Schneidman
Young Adult Service Coordinator
503-793-9892
503-793-9892

they/them/theirs

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