Tip Sheets and Issue Briefs

The Center for Community Inclusion and Reflective Collaboration (the CIRC Center) is a research and training center that aims to significantly advance community participation outcomes among young adults (14–26) with serious mental health conditions from populations that have been marginalized or minoritized. The term community participation is used in mental health services and research to refer to community-based activities that promote overall health and wellness. However, many people find this concept to be confusing, vague, and hard to understand. This tip sheet will define “community participation,” describe relevant experiences of young adults (ages 14–26) with serious mental health conditions (SMHC) from populations that have been marginalized, and provide reflections from our various advisory boards of young adults, family members, and professionals in the field.

The term “civic engagement” is less intimidating than it sounds! Civic engagement describes the process taken by individuals or groups to identify and address issues of concern within their communities. Civic engagement can take many forms, from individual events such as working the polls, to longer-term, sustained efforts such as joining an advocacy group and educating others around issues that matter to you. This tip sheet outlines 5 ways to get involved in civic engagement that are in addition to voting OR that can be done before you’re old enough to vote.

Tip sheet for youth and young adults with serious mental health conditions with tips about keeping and protecting important personal records and information.

This tip sheet provides parents and allies of youth and young adults with lived experience of a mental health condition tips be able to improve their connection with them. 

This tip sheet was written by the Transitions to Adulthood Center for Research's Family Advisory Board (FAB). The tip sheet is written for the parents and care-givers of young adults with serious mental health conditions. It provides explains why self-care is important and offers self-care tips and resources.

During the transitions to adulthood, young adults with mental health conditions struggle more than their typically-developing counterparts. Studies have shown that adolescents and young adults with mental health conditions are delayed in all areas of psychosocial development except sexuality. This tip sheet offers ways to work with young adults with mental health conditions and make this transition process easier.

Positive familial support can be a good resource for young people during their transition years. However, family involvement and support during the transition years for young adults with mental health conditions can be complicated by changing family dynamics. This tip sheet describes what we know about partnering with families, offers best practices when working with young adults and their families and providers some resources to learn more.

The "Achieving a Better Life Experience" Act, or ABLE Act, is a federal law that was passed in 2014. This landmark legislation offers people living with disabilities, including those with serious mental health conditions, a chance to pursue their hopes and dreams in a realistic way without as many financial obstacles.

Answers the following questions about Social Security's Supplemental Security Income (SSI) for a child who has turned 18: Can I keep my SSI? Can I work? Are there ways to earn money without reducing my SSI check? What if Social Security turns me down when I turn 18?