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Innovative "MY LIFE" Program for Youth Confronting Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Foster Care Challenges Comes to Florida
[January 21, 2013]

Innovative "MY LIFE" Program for Youth Confronting Mental Health, Substance Abuse and Foster Care Challenges Comes to Florida


TALLAHASSEE, Fla. --(Business Wire)--

Youth who experience mental health, substance abuse, and/or trauma inflicted as a result of abuse or neglect are more likely than other youth to drop out of high school, be arrested, be bullied or become homeless as they transition to adulthood.1

To address this disparity, Magellan Behavioral Health of Florida is collaborating with Palmer Munroe Teen Center and Children's Home Society of Florida to launch MY LIFE Tallahassee, a program designed to help "transition-age" youth ages 13 to 23 years old who have experienced mental health, substance abuse, and/or suffered trauma as a result of abuse or neglect, by providing them the opportunity to have a voice in the community.

The first meeting of MY LIFE Tallahassee will be held at the Palmer Munroe Teen Center on Wednesday, Jan. 23 from 6 - 8 p.m. Interested youth are encouraged to attend to be a part of starting this innovative group in Tallahassee. Family members and youth supporters are also invited to attend. Dinner will be provided.

Founded by Magellan of Arizona and local youth in 2008, MY LIFE focuses on inspiring youth to share their stories and support each other in their recovery goals through regular meetings, local and national workshops, presentations, and performances. The program helps to reduce the stigma associated with these challenges, inspire other teens to seek help if needed and take an active role in their community.

Since its introduction five years ago, the MY LIFE program has expanded to Pennsylvania and Louisiana with seven groups nationally and more than 400 participants. MY LIFE youth have given more than 50 national presentations to nearly 5,000 people. The group has also planned and produced eight MY Fest youth festivals to share resources, create awareness and reduce stigma among more than 20,000 community members. MY LIFE is helping transform systems that serve youth across the country, and is bringing that experience to Tallahassee.

To learn more about MY LIFE's outreach efforts and achievements, visit:



For more information about MY LIFE in Tallahassee or to participate in the program, interested individuals may call Stephanie Doski, 904-524-0040, or Greg Dicharry, 602-692-9135.

About Palmer Munroe Teen Center
In August 2010, the Palmer Munroe Teen Center opened its doors as the first teen center in Tallahassee, Florida. A joint venture between the City of Tallahassee, Leon County, Leon County Schools, and the Department of Juvenile Justice, the Palmer Munroe Teen Center serves as a safe, productive haven for many area youth ages 13 to 19. The Teen Center helps alleviate conflict among youth throughout the community through a teen-driven process that focuses on attractive programming, adult mentoring, educational assistance, restorative justice collaboration, and the use of cutting edge initiatives developed to engage teens through skills based training, fun and safe entertainment outlets, and community service involvement.


About Children's Home Society of Florida
Founded in 1902, Children's Home Society of Florida is the oldest and largest statewide private non-profit provider of services to children and families in Florida and delivers a full spectrum of prevention and intervention programs. Services include foster care, adoption, child development, emergency shelters, residential group homes, independent and transitional living for teens, parent education, counseling, mentoring, treatment for developmentally disabled children, and more. Children's Home Society of Florida, which served nearly 200,000 children and families throughout the state last year, is headquartered in Winter Park, Fla. Children's Home Society of Florida offers services by more than 1,800 dedicated staff members in nearly 100 locations.

About Magellan Health Services
Headquartered in Avon, Conn., Magellan Health Services, Inc. is a leading specialty health care management organization with expertise in managing behavioral health, radiology and pharmacy programs. Magellan delivers innovative solutions to improve quality outcomes and optimize the cost of care for those we serve. As of September 30, 2012, Magellan's customers include health plans, employers and government agencies, serving approximately 33.8 million members in our behavioral health business, 17.3 million members in our radiology benefits management segment, and 8 million members in our medical pharmacy management product. In addition, the specialty pharmaceutical segment served 40 health plans and several pharmaceutical manufacturers and state Medicaid Programs. The Company's Medicaid Administration segment served 24 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.MagellanHealth.com.

1 Hewitt B. "Rusty" Clark, PhD. National Network on Youth Transition


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