Meet FLYY — Forward Learning Youth & Young Adults

Distinctive Mental Health Programming for Dane County’s Youth

Established in 2011, FLYY is a community-based nonprofit serving youth, young adults and their parents or caregivers throughout Dane County. Typical participants are between ages 6 – 35, and parents or caregivers of any age. What sets FLYY’s mental health programming apart from others is the methodological framework used with participants (experiential education, restorative justice practices, and a family systems approach), as well as a drive and commitment to carry out its mission and values. FLYY serves individuals and families using a strengths-based recovery model designed to support long-term success.

FLYY offers the following services:

• Individual Therapy/ Psychoeducation
• Individual Skill Development (Therapeutic Mentoring)
• Parent Psychoeducation
• Service Facilitation

All services are designed to help strengthen the client’s family and support system and are tailored to the unique needs of each participant. 

In order to promote maximum therapeutic growth, sessions often happen in a non-office setting. Staff utilize the non-traditional environment of the session as a tool for success, integration, and to facilitate the growth process. A typical session might be held outdoors to allow not only for verbal processing, experiential modeling, and teaching, but also for healing of the spirit. Other sessions may take place at a coffee shop, a library, at one of FLYY’s two office locations, or within the community by learning to use public transportation or to access other local resources. FLYY is able to customize the support needed by each individual and can design a plan that helps each participant become a healthy, productive community member.

FLYY’s Therapy Program’s philosophy includes:

• Use of a modern recovery-based model that allows participants to learn and practice their skills in a non-linear way. This model allows for continued enhancement and application of new tools and skills, and provides opportunities for learning and growth at each stage.
• A relationship-based approach. The relationship that develops between a participant and staff is the cornerstone of all therapeutic work. FLYY relies heavily on the ability of our staff to build rapport and trust with each participant, to meet them where they are at, and to work with them in a way that is both collaborative and best suited to their needs and desires.  
• A carefully considered environment for each session. The physical environment for each session is always impactful, and FLYY staff assist in using this as a tool to aid in the mental, emotional, social, and spiritual growth processes.
• Use of Motivational Interviewing and Restorative Justice practices. Participants are guided to reflect with questions intended to help them discover their own motivations, values, and needs, as well as  how their choices and words are impacting both themselves and others.
• Strengths and Family Systems-based approaches. FLYY staff work with participants through an optimistic and hopeful lens. Staff also take into consideration the impact of the systems and relationships within participants’ lives and aim to assist them in participating in these in the healthiest ways possible.  

For general questions, call Jordan Rozeske at 608-512-6109 or email her at jordan@flyy.org.

To make a referral, call Ciara Krueger at 608-440-1039 or email her at ciara@flyy.org.