volume 23 number 2

Youth in Transition: Changing Tracks to Successful Adult Lives

The summer 2009 explores the topic of youth in transition. Children with special health care needs now live longer and, as a consequence, need support in transitioning to adulthood and to the adult health care system. Youth in foster care are also the focus of programs supporting youth transitions. Considered in a broader context, all youth transition and need help in connecting to the adult health care system, as Lawrence Neinstein points out.

Other articles in this issue include:

• Katherine TeKolste provides guidelines for pediatricians and adult health care providers on how to provide optimal health care for adolescents with special health care needs as they transition to the adult health care system. She emphasizes that collaboration and communication are key.
• Ron Coen describes first steps by pediatricians to help adult medicine practitioners in a predominantly rural state learn about treating the disabling diseases of children now living into adulthood.
• Stephanie Lane highlights regional efforts to secure and sustain culturally relevant services to help youth successfully transition to adulthood.
• Rick Butt emphasizes the importance of transition plans and linking youth to support systems in their communities as they age out of the foster care system.
• Georgina Ramirez, obviously a strong young person and talented writer, describes her experiences leaving foster care.
• Jim Theofelis describes how the Mockingbird Family Model is designed to help prepare youth for adulthood.
• Reports from the states of Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington describe supporting the transition of foster care and special health needs youth, as well as youth returning from out-of-state placements (Alaska). One aspect Northwest states have in common is the participation of youth in these programs, giving them opportunities to take responsibility and gain competencies.