Outreach

The youth of the Alameda County TAY Initiative take part in a keynote session at Alternatives 2011 in Orlando, Florida.

At an Alternatives workshop in Orlando, the youth of the Alameda County TAY Initiative explain their roles and what the project means to them.

The Transitional Age Youth Initiative of Alameda County focuses on educating TAY as well as the general population on challenging issues that young adults in an urban environment face on a daily basis. Brianna Williams, one of the TAYi coordinators, explains a unique board game created under the TAY Initiative.

How are current housing models different than those existing before the birth of the Mental Health Services Act in 2004? Robert Ratner, Housing Services Director for Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, says new money and models have promoted a positive change in the way people think about housing and the ability to build new and truly affordable housing,

EveryOne Home Director Elaine deColigny discusses the countrywide effort to end -- not manage -- homelessness through the National Alliance to End Homelessness. The federal government urged communities around the nation to write their own plans to combat the issue, and Alameda County is breaking barriers by including behavioral health care — not just housing organizations — in their efforts.

Robert Ratner, Housing Services Director for Alameda County Behavioral Health Care Services, encourages mental health consumers to get familiar with their right as tenants. Many don't realize there are places they can go if housing isn't safe, meals aren't provided, or if they get locked out.

Elaine deColigny, Executive Director of EveryOne Home, also encourages consumers to appeal if they are rejected for housing, because often rejection decisions can be and are overturned.