Dr. Lesley Cottrell, Director of the Center for Excellence in Disabilities (CED) was recently awarded $432,000 to implement a new program entitled: “Regional Transition Navigator Program” jointly funded by the Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant (SABG) and Community Mental Health Services Block Grant (MHBG) from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) through the WV DHHR, Office of Behavioral Health Services.
The Regional Transition Navigator program is designed to provide information, training, and resources/services to youth and young adults 14-25 years of age who are at risk. The CED will provide six Regional Transition Coordinators who will help to connect with eligible individuals to identify needs, assess skill levels, and link to needed service providers; develop a network of supports for individuals based on their needs to improve their health outcomes; and provide consultation to other partners and providers about the needs of individuals and how best to strengthen the services within the state.
The team will connect youth and young adults who are at risk with resources for housing, transportation, utilities, food, violence prevention and support, school, health care, medication and mental health services, advocating on their needs, life skills, knowing who to turn to for help and support for youth who have run away from home.