INDIVIDUALS NOW INC DBA SOCIAL ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH

HOUSING CONTINUUM AND CRISIS SERVICES:THE SAY (I.E., SOCIAL ADVOCATES FOR YOUTH) HOUSING CONTINUUM PROVIDED AN INNOVATIVE AND VIABLE SOLUTION TO SOLVING THE CRITICAL ISSUE OF YOUTH HOMELESSNESS IN SONOMA COUNTY (AGES 12-15). SAY'S HOUSING CONTINUUM SUPPORTED HOMELESS YOUTH WITH WRAPAROUND SERVICES DESIGNED TO EMPOWER THEM ON THE PATHWAY TO BECOMING HEALTHY, RESPONSIBLE, AND INDEPENDENT ADULTS. THE SAY HOUSING CONTINUUM INCLUDED STREET OUTREACH SERVICES SHELTER SERVICES, CASE MANAGMENT, AND HOUSING SERVICES. SHELTER SERVICES INCLUDED A BASIC CENTER FOR RUNAWAY AND HOMELESS YOUTH (AGES 12-17, OR 18 IF STILL IN HIGH SCHOOL), A SHELTER FOR TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUTH (AGES 18-24), AND A WINTER SHELTER DURING THE COLDEST NIGHTS). HOUSING SERVICES INCLUDED SUPPORTED HOUSING, OUT OF AREA TRAVEL EXPENSE & EXPENSE REIMBURSEMENT POLICY, DIRECT CLIENT ASSISTANCE POLICY INCLUDING GIFT CARDS AND A FOOD PURCHASING POLICY.

COUNSELING:THE COUNSELING CLINIC SERVED CHILDREN, YOUTH, FAMILIES AND YOUNG ADULTS (AGES 0-20) WHO HAVE MEDI-CAL INSURANCE. SAY PROVIDED COUNSELING SERVICES TO TRANSITIONAL AGE YOUTH (AGED 18-25) WHO REQUESTED SERVICES AND LIVED AT THE SAY DREAM CENTER AND TAMAYO VILLAGE HOUSING SERVICES. SAY PROVIDED COUNSELING UNDER CONTRACT WITH SONOMA COUNTY PROBATION, WITH FAMILY, YOUTH & CHILDREN'S SERVICES, AND OTHERS. SAY'S SERVICES WERE BROADLY AVAILABLE TO ENGLISH AND SPANISH SPEAKING PERSONS EXPERIENCING SEVERE EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS OR HAVING SUBSTANTIAL DIFFICULTIES AT SCHOOL, AT HOME, OR IN THE COMMUNITY. SAY PROVIDED MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES ON 13 SECONDARY SCHOOL CAMPUSES. SAY OFFERED GRIEF SERVICES AT LIBRARIES IN THE COUNTY.