Successful barrier reduction can often take many attempts and many weeks.  Engagement mangers in the Connecting Youth program are standing beside youth as they begin to reduce the barriers that are keeping them from moving forward, often providing transportation to and from crucial appointments.  Successful barrier reductions in the areas of mental health and substance abuse especially, may take several months to resolve.  Youth often fail to engage or remain in treatment due to difficulties with transportation, waiting lists and needing to visit multiple agencies.  

Partners include the Youth Service Bureau, BERC and Human Services program.

The engagement manager provides intensive case management services designed to keep youth moving forward with barrier reducing services.  The engagement manager may provide transportation and or accompany youth to court appointments, intakes for services and job interviews.  Often disconnected youth are left to navigate these services on their own and many fail to follow through with referrals and appointments.  

Although the percentage is relatively high at the end of this first year, it has been determined that twelve weeks is not as useful in determing success as intially thought.  Youth in this program has intensly varied needs and individualized case plans.  For some, barriers are resolved quickly and effficiently, while others takes weeks to fully engage.  Twelve weeks of services has proven to not be a true measure of success for these youth.