June 5th 2013 Speaker: John Holland

John Holland, LCSW, PhD works with the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the State of Connecticut in the Young Adult Services division.  The YAS Program services youth between 18-25 who are exiting foster homes, group homes and residential treatment facilities with serious mental illnesses.  Their goal is to prevent these youth from becoming homeless and to try and keep them out of prison.  The teach skills to help in becoming a successful adult.  They are often victims of abuse and neglect and suffer from PTSD.  The program has been in operation for 10 years and services youth statewide.  There are approximately 1500 youth in the program.  90% of the youth live in apartments in the community, some others in group homes and some with their families.