Transition-Age Youth Programs

TAY drop-in hours are Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:30 to 10 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. TAY follows COVID-safe guidelines; social distancing is encouraged and masks are required at all times. Please contact the TAY Center staff person you work with individually to set up appointments because not all staff members are available during drop-in hours.

The Transition-Age Youth program serves youth and young adults ages 16 to 26. Services are tailored, collaborative and based on a young person’s strengths. The goal is to create an environment where young people thrive at home, school, work and in their community. TAY Programs include:

Humboldt County Transition-Age Youth Collaboration (HCTAYC)

HCTAYC works to empower youth because it understands young people are experts in the systems that impact them, and this expertise is vital in system transformation. HCTAYC helps to foster and build skills in the areas of youth development, policy change, youth advocacy, community engagement and wellness. HCTAYC provides training to youth, staff and community partners related to more effectively engaging youth and developing youth-informed approaches. Drop-in hours are every Wednesday from 1 to 4 p.m. Come to the TAY office to meet the team and check out our services.

Peer Coaches

TAY Peer Coaches utilize lived experience of homelessness, foster care, juvenile justice, and mental health to engage young people. Peer Coaches empower young people to be their most authentic selves and to support a healthy transition into adulthood.  They staff the TAY Center and facilitate peer led workshops and groups as well as provide individual mentorship.

Independent Living Skills program (ILS)

The ILS program is designed to assist current and former foster youth as they transition from the foster care system to independence. Youth who have been in foster care after their 16th birthdays are eligible for ILS services until the day before their 21st birthday.

TAY Behavioral Health

We offer 1-on-1 counseling, family therapy, case management and drop-in counseling Wednesdays 1 to 4 p.m. Our counseling and case management services focus on clients’ goals for employment, housing, education, career and personal well-being.

Extended Foster Care (EFC)

 TAY houses the Extended Foster Care (EFC) Program for Humboldt County Child Welfare Services. EFC is a voluntary program that allows eligible youth in the child welfare and probation systems to remain in foster care until age 21.  Youth may leave extended foster care and later choose to re-enter until age 21.  To remain eligible for EFC, youth must meet at least one of five participation criteria including working, going to school, addressing barriers to employment or on permanent disability.

Employment Training Division (ETD)

Schedule an appointment to talk to a vocational counselor about your resume and job search activities at the ETD Employment Resource Center or TAY. The ETD Employment Resource Center has many workshops that you could attend such as resume tips, interview boot camp, transferable skills and youth work readiness.

TAY has a vocational counselor who is available to meet with you 1-on-1. Services may include the following and more:

  • Clothing Closet for Interviews and Work Clothes
  • Educational Support
  • General Educational Development (GED) Preparation
  • Interview Practice
  • Job Search Guidance
  • Resume Building