It is estimated that 6-12% of young adults experience a mental health condition. Mental health concerns can adversely affect high school graduation rates, post-secondary educational pursuits and employment rates. New nationwide efforts aim to support young adults to successfully complete their educational experiences and embark on careers.

The Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research is part of the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

On May 24, the Academy sent a team to Genesis Club, a Clubhouse International Training Center located in Worcester, Massachusetts. Ian Churchill and Idanes Paredes joined colleagues from New York and Michigan, for a weeklong training focusing on strategies to engage young adults in the clubhouse experience.

Under the guidance of Genesis Club, Ian and Idanes developed an action plan that promises to strengthen our outreach and engagement of young adults, ages 18 to 25 years old. Special focus will be placed on developing both educational and career opportunities for members in this age range. We would like to recognize the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation for their support of this initiative.

Thanks to the invitation of Sonia Figaredo-Alberts, Director of Pupil Support Services of Sarasota County, the Academy presented to an audience of 65 attendees at the May meeting of the Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Liaisons. Community Liaison, Jeffrey Jean, was joined by Academy member, Chantel Gingerich (pictured above).

Jeff and Chantel presented a video created by our Multimedia Team, discussed eligibility criteria and outlined the referral process. ESE Liaisons were particularly interested in training opportunities for graduating seniors, including future employment opportunities for their students. The Academy will be following up with the ESE Liaisons in the fall, at the start of the next academic year.

The USF study was unveiled at the Academy on March 26, to approximately 100 guests at an invitation-only event that included community leaders, law enforcement, local officials and philanthropists. It revealed that the economic cost of untreated mental illness for children and young adults in Sarasota exceeds $82 million/year.

Teri Hansen, CEO of the Barancik Foundation, stated, “This study we are going to act on, we are going to be tireless and fearless in making sure we create that system of care for these kids.”

The Academy is joining Sarasota County Schools as a new partner for transition age youth, providing post-secondary students living with a mental health diagnosis an option to develop work skills and build a future career. We look forward to working closely with Ms. Figaredo-Alberts and her team.

Pictured left to right are William McKeever, Academy Director, Sonia Figaredo-Alberts, Executive Director of Student Services with Sarasota County Schools and Stewie Bitterman, Academy Ambassador.

We are appreciative of Dr. Ron Dipillo, Executive Director, and Assistant Directors Jay Lorenz and Eric McClendon for taking time out of their busy schedule. The Academy serves as a stepping stone to a brighter future, with supported educational pursuits at area colleges and universities as one option to building a successful career.

One of our Academy members is currently taking a “Blogging” course of at STC, with plans to develop his own online blog. A big thanks to our newest community partner, Suncoast Technical College!