Onward Transitions

Onward Transitions in Portland, ME is a small, independent, owner-operated program for bright, motivated, emerging adults in the final stages of learning to live on their own. OT supports actual sustainable independent living and autonomy from two city locations. Participants (members) ages 18-30 never live with us; they live in their own apartments (selected according to personal preferences and resources) scattered throughout the city.

Members’ challenges may include anxiety, depression and/or executive functioning. Without exception, they are curious, intelligent, and motivated to live on their own. They are ready to fully embrace a harm reduction model to find greater balance in their lives. We are not an appropriate fit for young adults with a recent history of significant substance abuse.
OT Members must commit to being kind, accepting and affirming. They seek acceptance and belonging. OT provides weekly individual and group therapy, and family work by full-time, on-site master’s level therapists. The average length of stay is 12 months.

For over 30 years Tracy has held various administrative roles working with teens and young adults in residential, boarding and transitional-living environments. She was a residential life director and as an international admissions professional traveled extensively throughout the US, China, India, and Central America. As a certified career facilitator, Tracy developed and implemented a career counseling program for students at an independent boarding school. Additionally, she served as a liaison to the local community college system educating high school students & their parents about the value of community colleges, skilled labor, & certificate programs. As a national marketing director for a therapeutic residential young adult program, she worked extensively with mental health professionals, educational consultants & program colleagues specializing in young adult treatment. From these varied lenses, she & Darrell identified a very specific unmet need for young adults nearly ready to live independently.

Admissions Contact Name: Tracy Bailey
Email: tracy@onwardtransitions.com