LIVE YOUR B.E.S.T. LIFE!
Have you been feeling overwhelmed, stressed, down, or just kinda “blah” lately? Could you use some help learning how to manage feeling sad or stressed and dealing with times of change?
We can help!
WHAT IS B.E.S.T.?
B.E.S.T. is a free and virtual research study for teens with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are 13-20 years old. A research study is when you collect new information and test something to see if it works. Being in B.E.S.T. is your choice!
In B.E.S.T., we want to know which is better:
The care coordination you have right now
OR
the care coordination you have right now plus programs that help with mood and stress.
CAN I BE IN B.E.S.T.?
You can be in B.E.S.T. if all these things are true about you:
- You are between 13 and 20 years old.
- You have an intellectual or developmental disability.
- You have a care coordinator from the University of Illinois Chicago Division of Specialized Care for Children (DSCC), or from Service, Inc. of Illinois.
- You read at a similar level to a 4th
- You read and speak English. (Your parents/caregiver reads and speaks English or Spanish)
- You have a computer, tablet, or smartphone that you can use and the internet.
- You can use Zoom.
- Your parent, caregiver, or guardian says yes (if you’re under 18).
WHAT HAPPENS IF I DECIDE TO PARTICIPATE?
If all the above are true about you and you decide to be in B.E.S.T.:
- You will answer questions about your mood and how you are feeling, like if you are feeling sad or down or stressed.
- Then, you will be put in one of two groups. It will be random, like flipping a coin.
- If you are in Group A, you will keep getting care coordination exactly like you do right now.
If you are in Group B, you will keep getting care coordination exactly like you do right now, and you will also be in a mental health program with the B.E.S.T. team. Group B has 3 levels. If you are in Group B, you will be put in the level that best fits how you are feeling.