Purpose: The Adolescent Linkage-Transition Program was funded for operation in July, 2000 and is intended to link seriously emotionally disturbed adolescents returning to the Brooklyn community from the NYC Juvenile/ Criminal Justice System into services to insure that they achieve their optimum level of function and avoid hospitalization and/or re-incarceration.

Description: The program provides Court advocacy, linkage from incarceration to the community, design of an individualized treatment plan by professional mental health program staff, and intensive transition case management for at least a 2-year period, in order to stabilize and maintain the adolescent client in the community, avoid re-arrest and re-incarceration, and emergency room hospitalizations. The program is designed to insure that the transition from jail to community is a continuum that includes housing, treatment, medication, and help in the acquisition of Medicaid and other benefits for their families including medical services and a link to educational services.
Identification and referral of severely emotionally disturbed adolescent clients may be made to the program by any source within the Juvenile or Criminal Justice System.

Funding: The program is funded by the New York City Department of Mental Health