ABSTRACT
The period of transition to adulthood is a time of life that typically brings many challenges as young people are expected to move into roles and relationships that refl ect increasing independence and responsibility. These challenges are particularly pronounced for young people who experience serious mental health conditions (SMHC) during transition. Compared to their peers, young people with SMHC tend to fare worse educationally and economically, and they are more likely to have legal troubles or become parents at a young age (U.S. Government Accountability Offi ce, 2008). What is more, many of the young people who experience SMHC are vulnerable and/or at risk in other ways. For example, rates of SMHC are elevated among young people who are homeless or who have had experience in the child welfare or juvenile justice systems (Courtney & Dworsky, 2005; Garland, Hough, McCabe, Yeh, Wood, & Aarons, 2001; James & Glaze, 2006; Shufelt & Cocozza, 2006; Unger & Kipkke, 1997; Vander Stoep, Beresford, Weiss, McKnight, Gauee, & Cohen, 2000).
