about us > mission > vision > purpose > goals > objectives > standards > beliefs

about us
A successful transition to adulthood is a challenge for any young person. Very few young people are realistically capable of independent living at the age of 18. Then, when faced with chronic mental illness the everyday challenges of transitioning into adulthood become even more complex. These young adults are, in a sense, "chronically young". They are stuck in the transition from childhood dependence to adult independence, from parental or quasiparental support to self-supporting work, adult autonomy, and an expanding network of relationships.

The parents/caregivers of these chronically young often wonder, "who will look after him when I die?" Unfortunately, some remain, figuratively and sometimes literally, home in bed. Some are wanderers. Some become known as troublemakers. Yet others try again and again, with diminishing hopes, to take some step toward greater independence, or at least more stable functioning. Over and again they fall back into the reluctant yet retentive embrace of their parents/caregivers, and back into the arms of psychiatric and social service systems. Too often they slip through our willing but clumsy fingers, until some new calmity brings them once again to our attention. (top)

mission
LifeSkillEd exists to facilitate independence and interdependence for young adults facing chronic mental illness by increasing competency in the areas of basic living skills, education, employment and community life.(top)

vision
The vision of LifeSkillEd is to be committed to assuring that all young adults, ages 18-26, faced with chronic mental illness are able to access the necessary services, supports and opportunities to maximize their ability to become self-sufficient, healthy adults.(top)

purpose

to facilitate healthy adult independence and interdependence

to build integrity

to create discipline in personal and community life

to build adults who are confident in themselves and their abilities

to foster academic success

to teach financial responsibility and management

to provide resources to equip young adults for the future(top)

goals

All young adults will receive developmental life skills and independent living preparation services appropriate to their mental health needs, age, abilities and strengths.  LifeSkillEd recognizes that some young adults have developmental disabilities and are single parents or otherwise limited in the immediate achievement of certain goals.

All young adults who participate in LifeSkilled will eventually acquire a minimum of:

High School Diploma or GED or enrollment in an educational program designed to result in a High School Diploma or GED;

Plans for future education and enrollment in a post-high school trade or college program

Written employment history (resume);

Copies of their birth certificate, social security card, and medical records;

Access to funds adequate to support himself/herself during and following completion of the independent living program;

Access to and knowledge of local resources, including but not limited to food pantries, human service agencies, health clinics and mental health facilities;

Drivers’ license or preparation for obtaining a driver’s license or other access to transportation to school, employment and other critical activities; and

A safe and stable living environment.(top)

objectives
Assist young adults in developing the life skills necessary to become an interdependent part of the community. Essential elments include but are not limited to:

• Develop the young adult's basic knowledge of how to care for themselves in their living environment.

• Greatly enhance the participating young adult's knowledge of community systems, services and resources, as well as how to access them.

• Coordinate with parent(s) and primary caregive(s) to extend the skills development process to the home environment.

• Increase the community's awareness of the young adults through active involvement in the life skills education program.(top)

standards
The following standards guide our efforts:

• Young adults with chronic mental illness...

• have the right to be as independent and self-confident as possible.  

• need a sense of hope, a belief that their futures are positive and the confidence that they can be successful.

• need to have an awareness of and connection to their families as primary positive support system.

• have unique strengths and skills that can be enhanced and built upon as they acquire life-long skills.

• need to develop sufficient concrete and intangible skills to participate productively in their community.

• have the capacity to take an increasingly more active part in and responsibility for decisions that affect their future.

• need to develop healthy value systems that allow them to participate constructively in community life.
• have the capacity to take an increasingly more active part in and responsibility for decisions that affect their future.

Birth parents, caregivers, and staff have unique skills, strengths that become essential components in helping young adults with chronic mental illness.

Birth parents, caregivers, and staff must be prepared to support the young adults when opportunities arise that facilitate interdependence, self-esteem, and a sense of competence and responsibility.

It takes the whole community to support the development of a single young adult.(top)

beliefs
We believe that all young adults with chronic mental illness must be afforded the opportunity to learn the skills needed to overcome life's obstacles and become effective members of their community.  In addition, we believe that any program attempting to address the needs of young adults with chronic mental illness must be participant-driven and based on empowerment through:

• Hands-on, experiential learning in a supportive setting;

• Active participant involvement (individual and group) in needs assessment, goal setting, accessing and coordinating services;

• Exerting positive peer influences;

• Exercising rights and responbilities;

• Requiring individual and group input and accountability for active participation in program operation and development.

   

• We further believe...

• Young adults with chronic mental illness are capable of learning what they need to function as independent adults;

• In focusing on their strengths;

• Young adults should be empowered to be creative and active participants in their own lives;

• Young adults should be challenged with meaningful learning experiences;

• Integrity, passion and trust are cornerstones to success;

• All young adults with chronic mental illness possess the ability to learn.(top)

!

  
  about us
  dedication
  donations
  skillsEd
  life support
  whole-person recovery
  parents/caregivers
  young adults
  friday one
  calendar
  resources
  volunteers
  contact us

  training materials