CAYEN and TAY Centers
One of CAYEN’s highest priorities is to help implement “drop in” TAY Centers throughout California. CAYEN recently visited San Bernardino’s “One Stop Center” (for TAY ages 16 to 25) to learn more about the value of these programs and how they are being effectively used throughout the state.
On approaching One Stop from the driveway, and near a sign that read “HATE FREE ZONE,” there were roughly fifteen youth talking and enjoying one another’s company in the sun. On the inside was more evidence that the Center is being used as a safe haven by TAY: there were rooms with computers (limited to constructive uses such as job or educational searches), pool tables (both were being used at the time), games such as checkers underway (four persons sat at the game table), a lounge with a TV, a library, therapy rooms, laundry facilities, housing and transportation assistance, probation rooms, and even one youth looking for the Bible study group that one TAY had voluntarily started (because he wants to be a pastor someday). Most importantly, TAY were there using these rooms and resources, comfortably roaming the halls and participating in different activities—as if it was their own home and family community.
CAYEN views San Bernardino’s One Stop Center as a model upon which CA should build upon, particularly with dollars from the Mental Health Services Act. CAYEN is very involved in the implementation of the Mental Health Services Act since Rusty Selix, our boss and Executive Director of the Mental Health Association in California, co-authored the law with Senator Darryl Steinberg. One of CAYEN’s key policy goals is to bring more TAY Centers like San Bernardino’s One Stop Center to youth all across California.
As a final point, youth have told us this is the best way to engage them and support them in whatever their problems may be: it may be a need for counseling, need for legal or criminal justice advice, help and/or treatment in coping with severe depression or other mental health challenges, assistance in applying for benefits such as MediCal or SSI, or just a place to get peer support and hang out during tough times.