The Transitional Opportunities Program provides a variety of residential support services through a continuum of care to at-risk youth ages 13 to 21. Youth living in any county of New Jersey are able to enter the program through a DYFS/CMO referral.
While residing in Elizabeth, the youth receive a variety of independent living training and transitional living support services until they achieve the life skills needed to live independently. We refer to participants of our program as "members".
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Youth between 13 to 15 years of age are placed on the Group Home level. There is 24-hour daily supervision for youth who have been removed from their traditional family home. Staff support, practical one on one daily living skills training, and therapeutic services are rendered.
Youth who are 16 to 18 years of age are eligible for this program. STLH provides 24-hour daily supervision and skill training in a group home setting.
STLH level graduates who are 18 and older are eligible for this arrangement. While living in a less structured setting, youth receive advanced daily living skills training and prepare for independence with appropriate guidance from nearby support counselors.
This is the highest level within TOP. Here graduates of the Supervised Transitional Living Program are afforded the opportunity to move into a Community Access Unlimited (CAU) apartment for a term of six (6) months or more as determined. During this period youth demonstrate the independent living skills they have acquired while maintaining a household. An account is set up in which funds may be applied towards the acquisition of another apartment.
Members can be admitted at any level of the program depending on the assessment of data and the member’s level of need.
Follow-up is provided, for a period up to one year, to discharged members (successful and unsuccessful). It allows a former member of TOP to come back within one year after leaving the program and request assistance. If a specific goal is identified beyond the one-year mark, a 3-month extension may be granted.
Community Access Unlimited currently provides structured life skills training for youth not enrolled in school or who are unemployed. The Day Program ensures that youth receiving support from TOP are actively participating in an employment-training workshop, a GED Program, or volunteer job practicum. Each youth member must be involved in a minimum of a 30-hour per week activity. The Day Program uses materials such as Life Skills Curriculum, and Employment Skills training.
As a member you will receive:
- 24 Hour Supervised Residential Living
- Community Services for adolescents in Union, Essex, and Middlesex counties
- Daily Living Skill Training (including but not limited to):
- Case Management
- Advocacy & Outreach
- New Jersey Life Skills Curriculum
- Budgeting
- Food Shopping
- Laundry
- Career Planning
- Job Placement
- Communication Skills
Written
Verbal
Interpersonal
Vocational
College
Resume Writing
Job Seeking
Interviewing
Apartment Search/Rental
Furnishing
DYFS/CMO Case Worker calls TOP Intake to discuss client and/or case conference with TOP Intake Department Staff.
The following written information should be sent to the TOP Intake Department for review:
- TOP Referral Form
- DYFS/CMO Summary
- Strength and Needs Assessment
- Updated DYFS Periodic Assessment
- Current Psychological Evaluation
- Educational Reports/Individualized Education Plan
- Discharge summary from previous placement
- Recent medical information/physical
- Current Psychiatric Evaluation
- Criminal History (if applicable)
- Fire Setting Evaluation (if applicable)
- Sex Abuse/Offender Evaluation (if applicable)
The TOP Intake Counselor arranges an interview. TOP also has the ability to accept referrals on an emergency placement basis, depending on bed availability.
- Open DYFS/CMO case
- 13 to 21 years of age
- Potential for self medication
- Independently mobile
- Ability to participate in a day program – i.e. vocational workshop, competitive employment or school
- No psychiatric hospitalization within the last year
- No serious criminal behavior within the last year
- No serious physical violence within the past year
- Not actively abusing drugs or alcohol
- Willing to cooperate with program rules and structure
All cases are evaluated on an individual basis. These criteria serve only as a general guideline.
For further information or to request a referral form contact the TOP Intake Department at (908) 354-3040. Intake Counselors ext. 287 or 310. TOP Intake Coordinator ext. 242
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