Product Description

Promoting Positive Futures

Youth Advocate Services (YAS) is a nationally accredited, state-certified 501(c)(3), non-profit child/family caring agency who has served thousands of children and families since 1978. For over 40 years, YAS has believed in the premise that all children, and especially those who are vulnerable or at-risk, should live in a family-centered, caring and nurturing home.

We offer a multitude of support services in Franklin County and surrounding areas in central Ohio – all at no cost to children and families. Services include: Behavioral Health Counseling and Psychotherapy, Ohio’s Early Intervention, Foster Care and Adoption Support.

Our team of highly qualified and educated/licensed staff apply innovative thinking and evidence-based practices in partnership with children and families to identify and treat their needs. At YAS, we value our relationships with the youth and families we serve, as well as our referring entities, and therefore take the quality of our services very seriously. YAS is committed to providing ethical and high quality services, and we seek opportunities to improve. As such, we structure ourselves with systems and practices that set forth guidelines that can be monitored, corrected and/or revised as needed.

Find out more about our services and eligibility at yasohio.org.

 

How we’re supporting our transgender and non-binary foster parents and clients

• Transgender and non-binary individuals are always welcome at YAS, and all of our staff continued to be trained to respect your pronouns and identity, regardless of where you’re at in your transition.
• YAS is recognized by Human Right’s Campaign’s All Children – All Families as “Building a Foundation for LGBTQ Inclusion” and we are putting in the work to achieve a “Solid Foundation” Tier recognition. It is our goal, along with ACAF’s mission, to achieve safety, permanency and well-being by improving practice with LGBTQ youth and families. ACAF has provided us with resources and technical assistance to help us establish this track record of LGBTQ inclusion and build meaningful relationships with LGBTQ communities in our area. Learn more at hrc.org/acaf.
• YAS follows all state and local laws and regulations, and has also received high rankings from the Council on Accreditation (COA). Accredited since 2007, YAS’ performance is measured against COA’s national standards of best practice. These standards emphasize services that are accessible, appropriate, culturally responsive, evidence based, and outcomes-oriented. Achieving and maintaining COA accreditation supports the premise that YAS services are provided by a skilled and supported staff and that all individuals are treated with dignity and respect.
• It is our policy that all foster parents/clients have the right to obtain services regardless of race, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, age, religious or political beliefs, ethnicity, or disability.