Photo provided Youth Services System has created West Virginia's first transitional living prorgram for young adults, and will administer the program from the McCrary Center.

Youth Services System will now offer a recovery track for young adults, the first transitional living program for people that age in West Virginia, YSS announced Thursday.

Through a one-time grant from the West Virginia Bureau of Behavioral Health, the program, to be housed at the McCrary Center in Wheeling, is the first transitional living program to become certified by the West Virginia Alliance of Recovery Services to offer such recovery services to youth and young adults ages 18-24.

“Youth Services System, Inc. created the first licensed transitional living program in West Virginia in 1981, and we have continued to recognize the evolving needs of the young people we serve,” said YSS CEO Jill Eddy. “Bringing together transitional living and recovery services for young adults who are of similar ages and often share similar life experiences creates opportunities for connection, peer support and long-term stability.”

YSS designed the Recovery Residence for Young Adults program for individuals ages 18-24 diagnosed with opioid use disorder, stimulant use disorder or both. The program provides recovery-oriented housing and peer recovery support services while creating a safe and supportive environment where residents can build stability and pursue long-term recovery.

YSS also supports individuals with co-occurring mental health conditions and prioritizes services for high-risk and underserved populations.

The program builds on YSS’ history of supporting young people transitioning into adulthood.

Services in this new program will include substance-free, MAT-friendly housing, peer recovery support, therapy services, individualized recovery planning and care coordination with medical, behavioral health and community partners. Participants will also receive overdose prevention education, transition support and ongoing aftercare services.

YSS staff developed the recovery track from the ground up as part of the organization’s licensing process through WVARR. Over several months, staff created policies, handbooks and operational procedures tailored specifically to young adults in recovery.

The program expands upon the system of care already offered through the McCrary Center and strengthens YSS’ ability to support young adults navigating recovery and transitional living needs through a trauma-informed, person-centered approach that embraces multiple pathways to recovery.

“This residence is especially important because while there are other recovery residences throughout the state, we are the first recovery residence for young adults in West Virginia,” said Leanne Meyer, community services supervisor. “The developmental needs, life experiences and challenges faced by an 18-year-old are vastly different from those of a 40-year-old. West Virginia is ready for recovery and ready to support young adults in their transition to sober living.”

As a WVARR-certified recovery residence, the program emphasizes engagement, stability, accountability and long-term success while incorporating evidence-based and preventionfocused practices. The initiative helps address a longstanding gap in recovery housing options for young adults in West Virginia while strengthening the state’s recovery support system.

“In my 35 years here, there has always been a need for something like this for young adults,” said Pam Jeffers, program manager. “They’re your neighbors, your grandchildren, your family members, and now there is a place in Wheeling for them. I’m very proud that we saw a need and were able to create an excellent program for young people coming into recovery.”

YSS’ Transitional Living Program began in 1981 to support youth aging out of foster care and help young people build foundational life skills, improve academic achievement and gain real-life work experience as they transition into independent adulthood. Services are provided through the Tuel Transitional Living Training Center in New Martinsville and the McCrary Center, which has served young adults in the Wheeling community since 2000.

Individuals interested in making a referral or learning more about the program can contact YSS Central Intake at (304) 233-9627 and ask for the Worker of the Day or select Option 2.