Northern Virginia Youth Achieve Independence TIP Model Incorporates Team Approach and Peer Counselors
OAKTON, Va. (January 9, 2024)—HopeLink (formerly PRS), a leading behavioral health nonprofit serving Northern Virginia and beyond, launched a new program that uses the Transition to Independence Process (TIP) Model®. TIP is a youth-driven, highly effective program that helps youth and young adults with emotional and behavioral disorders transition to adulthood life skill goals so they can live independent, fuller lives.
“Providing best-in-class behavioral health services needs to be tailored to the communities within our communities. Reaching youth in particular holds great promise in helping redefine lives, ensuring that dreams have a chance to take root and grow. TIP is a life changer for youth in our community, and we expect this program to grow significantly over the next few years to meet our region’s needs,” explained Joseph Getch, CEO, HopeLink.
In 2022, the Community Foundation of Northern Virginia reported that 47% of area high school students experienced clinical levels of anxiety, depression, or mental health challenges. In response, HopeLink’s TIP program provides additional, intensive support over an 18-month period for Northern Virginia youth (14-29) who are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties. Youth meet with their Transition Facilitator on average two hours per week, which is more intense than outpatient services but less intense than crisis stabilization programs.
Services are offered primarily in the community to support building independent living skills, and HIPAA-compliant telehealth services are available to enhance access to services as needed. “TIP will dramatically enhance lives. Young people have flourished in other communities where this program operates. TIP, an evidence-informed practice, takes an intensive team approach that includes a peer counselor with lived experience. Together we support young people with emotional and behavioral health needs, helping them pursue and achieve life goals related to education, relationships, employment, and housing,” explained Beth Hall, TIP Director, HopeLink.
TIP operates with a team-based approach. Each team has four providers serving up to 30 individuals, which include a Clinical Supervisor, Life Skills Focused Transition Facilitator, Supported Employment/ Education Focused Transition Facilitator, and Youth Peer Support Specialist. Young people served are experiencing emotional and behavioral difficulties, substance abuse disorders, mild developmental disabilities, and/or involvement with children’s protective services, juvenile justice, or public assistance, and/or youth who are runaway or homeless. Participating youth experience increased employment and post-secondary career education, improved community-life functioning, and reductions in the use of intensive mental health services and incarceration. Referral forms are available on HopeLink’s website.
Last year, HopeLink served over 1,800 individuals and families through its behavioral health programs. HopeLink’s suicide and crisis intervention program handled more than 180,000 crisis calls, texts, and chats from across Virginia and the nation from community members facing life crises.
HopeLink Behavioral Health (formerly PRS)
HopeLink is a leading nonprofit helping those living with diverse behavioral health issues and anyone who faces life crises achieve independence, self-sufficiency and safety. HopeLink provides people they serve with skill training and support to help them recover and rebuild their lives through a range of services, including: Psychosocial Rehabilitation Day Program Services, Mental Health Outpatient Therapy, Mental Health Skills-Building, Individual Supported Employment, Peer Support Services, Coordinated Specialty Care and CrisisLink – a national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Center and Regional Crisis Call Center covering most of Virginia. For 24/7 support from CrisisLink, call or text 988. For 24/7 chat support, visit 988lifeline.org/chat. www.HopeLinkBH.org.
