A new facility was officially opened in Turlock on Thursday that will bring help to vulnerable youth.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house was held for Aspiranet’s Hope Forward Transitional Aged Youth (TAY) Independence Program that will provide outpatient behavioral health services, independent living skills programming, and other wellness resources in a residential area of Turlock. The program’s goal is to help vulnerable youth and young adults create a pathway to a successful independent adulthood.
“Today represents an important investment in the future of our youth who have experienced trauma, instability and significant challenges. This program was created to provide a safe, supportive therapeutic and home-like environment where young people can heal, build life skills, strengthen their family and community connections, and prepare for a successful independent adulthood,” said Aspiranet interim CEO Jeannie Imelio.
The new facility is the first of its kind in the Central Valley, providing a residential program for youth aged 15-19 who are at risk of future incarceration and homelessness if not provided with the opportunity to develop skills that support their independence. The facility provides youth with the resources they need to acquire long-term community resources and employment. By providing support and services in a home-like setting within the community, care is available in the most appropriate and least restrictive environment.
The facility, located at 521 W. Linwood Avenue in south Turlock, is adjacent to Aspiranet’s Fusion Charter School.
There are two brand new buildings — a residential “cottage” that can house up to four youths and then a learning center with classrooms, areas for group therapy and even an auto shop, where youth can learn trade skills.
Imelio said that Aspiranet decided to build the facility in Turlock because “as an agency, we are very invested in Turlock.
“We have our greatest number of programs and clients served in Stanislaus County. We had the roots of providing residential services, foster care, behavioral health, and we’re community-based. We operate the Family Resource Center and many of us here today live in Turlock, and consider it home. It’s a really important opportunity to invest in the future of our children and grandchildren and the clients that we serve.”
Both the residential program, which provides 24-hour therapeutic care delivered by behavioral health professionals, and the Learning Center work together to support youth in developing social-emotional skills while exploring career pathways. Youth will focus on improved social interactions, responsibility, and self-discipline, while learning how to manage their frustration tolerance as ways to address their underlying behavioral health conditions. These experiences also help youth learn to navigate workplace expectations, build professional relationships, and develop the resilience, coping strategies, and problem-solving skills necessary to manage their behavioral health condition and succeed in all areas of adult life.
Aspiranet’s Hope Forward TAY Independence Program is part of the Central Valley Children Crisis Continuum Pilot, with the support and participation of Stanislaus County, San Joaquin County, and Merced County, and is funded through a grant from California’s Department of Healthcare Services Behavioral Health Continuum Infrastructure Program (BHCIP).
“I want to thank Governor Newsom for his investment in this type of infrastructure improvement process. Now, it’s our challenge to make it a reality for those youth that would be part of this. What’s important for you to understand is that many young people who have been in care or have been traumatized in their lives outside of the child welfare system are in need of supports that are therapeutic in nature to be able to provide them with the opportunity to be prepared to be able to go forward with their lives as young adults,” said Aspiranet CEO Vernon Brown, who has been with the organization for 48 years.
Currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, Aspiranet’s mission is to provide children, youth, and families with a foundation of support and services so they can success at home, school, and in their communities. As one of California’s largest human services nonprofits, Aspiranet provides foster care and adoption support, residential group home care, support for youth making the transition from foster care to adulthood, behavioral health services, intensive home-based care, and community-based family resources. Aspiranet has nearly 50 community-based locations across California, serving over 35,000 children, youth, and families every year.
