KEY (Knowledge Empowers You!) for Transition Age Youth

The Community Technical Assistance Center (CTAC) is very excited to offer individual practitioners, agencies, and programs serving transition age youth in New York State an opportunity to receive our Knowledge Empowers You (KEY) training for transition-aged youth (TAY).

TAY, especially those with mental health challenges, are a particularly vulnerable population. The developmental challenges of adolescence and early adulthood, as well as the transition from child-serving to adult-serving systems can present many difficult choices that they often have to make with limited information or support.

KEY is a psychoeducational, workbook-based program with identified sessions for addressing a wide range of topics that are relevant to the lives of transition-age youth, ages 16-24. Topics include stress and coping, relationships, school and work, mental and physical health, and substance use. KEY was developed to be consistent with culturally responsive, trauma-informed and resilience building principles and is designed to be implemented as a group intervention but can also be used individually. The intervention can be delivered by clinicians, paraprofessionals or peers as part of an integrated service to address the needs of TAY. Agencies or programs serving TAY are encouraged to attend the training as a team.

Participants in the training will receive information about the program, training materials, strategies for using the materials, and details about the content. Workbooks will be in PDF format and participants will be responsible for printing and distributing hardcopies to the young people they serve. Materials can also be used electronically for virtual use.