Youth Services

Youth Business Programs

Programs that utilize volunteers from the teaching profession, business and industry to provide firsthand information about the business world for students and/or school-age children and youth and opportunities for them to learn about economic principles and the economy. Some clubs may also initiate small business ventures under the guidance of adult volunteers.

Childbirth Education

Programs that offer classes or other educational experiences which prepare prospective mothers and their birth partners emotionally and physically for the labor and birth process. Topics covered include anatomy and physiology of birth, relaxation and breathing techniques, different types of labors, birthing/delivery options and postpartum care. Also included are programs that prepare other members of the family (grandparents and siblings) for the arrival of a new family member.

Postpartum Care

Programs that provide follow-up medical care for women during the first six weeks following delivery to ensure that they are recovering normally from childbirth.

Prenatal Care

Programs that provide medical care for expectant mothers from the time of conception to the onset of labor to ensure their own physical well-being and the healthy development and birth of their child. Services generally include identification of risk factors based on age, health and/or personal and family history that may affect a woman's pregnancy; diet and lifestyle advice; routine checkups to look for signs of problems associated with pregnancy (such as edema, preeclampsia, or gestational diabetes) and to assure that the pregnancy is progressing well; ultrasound and other forms of prenatal testing to monitor fetal development and check for possible birth defects; and general information about being pregnant, e.g., what is normal and what is cause for concern, remedies for morning sickness or sleeplessness, managing weight gain and other common issues.

Prenatal/Postnatal Home Visitation Programs

Programs staffed by nurses or other trained professionals or volunteers that visit the homes of eligible mothers during pregnancy and early infancy to help the women improve their personal health and development during the prenatal period and learn to care for the child following birth. The visits encourage the mothers to maintain good nutrition; and provide information regarding danger signs in pregnancy, preparation for labor and delivery, breastfeeding and other feeding options, baby supplies, basic infant care, newborn behaviors and child development. They help to ensure that infants and toddlers are nurtured, live in a safe environment in and around the home and receive proper health care. Included are programs that focus on low income individuals, pregnant teens, first-time mothers, women with high risk pregnancies or other special populations as well as those that are more broadly available.

School Based Teen Parent/Pregnant Teen Programs

Programs, usually available within the regular high school curriculum, that provide opportunities for pregnant teens and teenage students who are parents to complete their high school education and receive diplomas. Classes which focus on child development, infant care, mother/infant nutrition and childbirth preparation are available in addition to the basic graduation requirements and academic electives. Students who are enrolled in the program may also receive nutritionally balanced meals (breakfast and lunch), prenatal care, family planning and counseling services.

Teen Expectant/New Parent Assistance

Programs that provide educational and supportive services that help teens who are or are about to become parents, to prepare them on an emotional and practical level for the impact the newborn will have on their lives and relationships. Initial focus areas include healthy eating for the mother, danger signs in pregnancy, sibling preparation and being ready for labor and delivery, followed by practical information on basic infant care, newborn behaviors, baby supplies, bathing techniques, diapering, breastfeeding and other feeding options, as well as infant and childhood illnesses. Later topics may include walking, talking, toilet training and other aspects of child development, all to help ensure that infants and toddlers are nurtured, live in a safe environment and receive proper health care.

Teen Pregnancy Prevention

Programs that provide a variety of informational and supportive services which promote healthy teen attitudes and behaviors regarding sexuality with the objective of heightening their awareness of the consequences of sexual activity and helping teens to avoid an unwanted pregnancy. Topics may include peer pressure, parent/teen communications, male/female relationships, values clarification, self-esteem, human reproduction, birth control and sexually transmitted diseases including AIDS. The goal of many of these programs is to help young people develop the knowledge, autonomy and skills they will need to make the transition to adulthood in good sexual health.

Runaway/Homeless Youth Helplines

Programs that provide immediate assistance for children and youth who have run away from or have been pushed out of their homes or who are acting out and at risk of abuse. Included may be steps to ensure the youth's safety, information regarding the youth's rights and alternatives, and referrals for shelter, medical care, ongoing counseling or group support and other related services. Also included are programs that maintain a message relay system which allows runaways to contact their parents or other concerned individuals and receive messages from them. Helpline staff are generally available via telephone, email, chat and/or text.

Youth Issues Information Services

Programs that provide information about specific youth-related topics such as alcohol and drug abuse; child abuse; sexuality; sexually transmitted diseases; AIDS; birth control, pregnancy and choices; sexual assault; weight management; relationships; dealing with feelings; family concerns; dealing with rules; and school, career and life choices. Information may be accessed on a website or in person, or by telephone, email, chat, text or other communication channel. Information may be in a self-serve, browsable format (for example a web resource directory or library of audio recordings) or provided by live agents with expertise in the needs and interests of youth.

Youth Centers

Multipurpose centers that serve as a focal point for youth in the community and which offer, at a single location, a wide variety of services and activities that are needed by and of interest to this population.

Youth Shelters

Programs that provide shelter and a safe place to sleep as well as access to food, medical care and other types of assistance for children and/or youth who have run away from or been pushed out of their homes, or who are acting out and at risk for abuse pending return to their own families or a suitable alternative placement. The most common causes for youth becoming homeless, in addition to being kicked out of their homes or running away, are being abandoned or neglected, experiencing financial hardship, aging out of foster care, conflicts related to their sexual orientation, having a substance use disorder or experiencing the death of a family member or guardian. Such facilities usually provide in-house individual, group and family counseling and the full range of other secondary services related to runaways and other homeless youth including referral to appropriate resources. Homeless youth are different than homeless adults because they often have not learned the essential life skills needed to live on their own such as how to drive or ride a bus, get a job or pay bills. Homeless youth are also more likely than other youth their age to experience mental illness, suffer poor health, drop out of school, and become involved with or victims of criminal activity, including being exploited, abused or even killed.

Boys/Girls Clubs

Programs that provide a wide range of supervised recreational activities and delinquency prevention services for children and youth of all ages and backgrounds, but particularly for disadvantaged youth, through membership in boys and/or girls clubs. Club members are entitled to use recreational facilities and may have access to counseling, tutorial services, employment assistance, gang programs, drug abuse and alcoholism prevention and other activities and services that direct their energies toward positive social goals and facilitate healthy personality development.

Camps

Programs that develop, maintain and make available to the public facilities for cooperative group living experiences in the out-of-doors; and which offer a wide range of activities under the supervision of trained leadership for children, youth, adults and special groups of all ages which include campcraft, cookouts, nature lore and conservation, and a wide range of indoor and outdoor recreational, athletic and group social activities.

Driver Licenses

Programs that issue permits which provide written authorization for an individual to operate a motor vehicle on public roads and highways following successful completion of a written and/or driving examination and a vision test. These programs also renew driver licenses that are about to expire, replace driver licenses that are lost or stolen, and process name and address changes.

Driver Training

Programs that provide behind the wheel instruction for individuals who want to learn to drive a motor vehicle including automobiles, commercial vehicles, off-road vehicles, tractors and other farm equipment.

Driving Safety Education

Programs that are designed to increase public awareness of the measures people can take to ensure their safety when driving an automobile or other motor vehicle. Driving safety programs provide information about traffic laws as they apply to motor vehicles; warnings regarding behaviors which contribute to accidents such as speeding and driving while drowsy or intoxicated; suggestions for avoiding confrontations with aggressive drivers; and tips for driving safely under specific conditions, e.g., with trucks and other large vehicles, in bad weather, in heavy traffic, in parking lots, or in areas where deer and other large animals may be roadway hazards. Information about recommended automobile maintenance practices, used car purchase tips and suggestions regarding safety equipment such as air bags may also be included.

General Recreational Activities/Sports

Programs that offer a range of organized recreational activities, sports and games that people of all ages can learn, become competitive in and enjoy.

Mentoring Programs

Programs that provide companionship, guidance and/or role models for individuals who are disadvantaged because of age, income, physical or developmental disabilities or family environment.

Outdoor Environmental Education

Programs that offer open-air learning experiences, particularly for schoolchildren, that promote appreciation for and understanding of local ecosystems and our fundamental connections to the world around us. Activities may include identification of plants, insects and animals and exploration of their habitats, learning about weather and its relationship to environmental processes, geological history and demonstrations of the importance of biodiversity and sustainability. Students may investigate the life cycles of animals in a pond; observe the growth and reproduction of common plant species; examine the form and function of leaves, stems, roots and flowers and how these features help to classify plants; consider the interrelationship between predator and prey; learn how different animals grow and change with the seasons; learn and practice compass navigation and other outdoor skills; and/or make other discoveries which foster engaged and responsible environmental citizenship. Outdoor education programs may be provided through schools, conservation authorities or other organizations and depending on the program and the materials they incorporate, parents and/or caregivers may have a role to play in the process.

Scouting Programs

Programs that provide opportunities for children and youth to develop individual and group initiative and responsibility, self-reliance, courage, personal fitness, discipline and other desirable qualities of character through participation in a wide range of organized recreational, educational and civic activities under the leadership of qualified adult volunteers. Troop members work on developing their skills in camping, swimming, citizenship, communication, conservation, cooking, community living, first aid and a wide variety of other areas, and usually earn merit badges when they have demonstrated mastery of the skills that are required for a particular activity.

Team Sports/Leagues

Programs that provide opportunities for people of all ages to learn, become competitive in and enjoy the cooperative recreational activity or sport of their choice. These programs may provide coaching to help members play efficiently as a team and are often organized into leagues, i.e., groups of teams that are formed to play one another in organized competitions. Uniforms; access to playing fields, courts and other facilities; sporting equipment; and officials for competitions may also be available.

Y Facilities

Programs that provide for the spiritual, social, mental and physical development of children and youth and their families through a broad-based program which includes classes, recreational activities, fitness programs, leadership development opportunities, camping, youth clubs, parent-child programs, youth employment support services, cross-cultural exchange programs, community involvement opportunities and a variety of other activities that give participants a chance to develop a wide range of interpersonal relationships, strengthen family ties and to achieve a satisfying degree of personal growth.

Youth Centers

Multipurpose centers that serve as a focal point for youth in the community and which offer, at a single location, a wide variety of services and activities that are needed by and of interest to this population.

Youth Community Service Programs

Programs that provide opportunities for students and/or school-age children and youth to make a contribution to their local community through volunteer service projects or other forms of assistance. The purpose of the program is to develop leadership skills and good citizenship practices in youngsters who are interested in service to others.

Youth Enrichment Programs

Programs that offer a wide variety of activities including arts and crafts, academic programs, sports, reading clubs, workshops and other recreational, leisure, cultural, social and civic activities for school-age children and youth in out-of-school hours. The objective of youth enrichment programs is to promote healthy social interaction and help participants maximize their social, emotional, physical and academic potential.

After School Meal Programs

Programs that provide nutritious evening meals for disadvantaged children who live in low-income neighborhoods. The meals are often sponsored by local food banks that are part of the Second Harvest network; are served in a safe, accessible, convenient environment; and may be offered in combination with educational, recreational and social activities that draw upon existing community programs. Also included are programs that make weekend meals available to this population during the school year.

Children's Play Groups

Programs that provide regularly scheduled opportunities for children to engage in supervised play with one another.

Summer Food Service Programs

Programs that operate during the summer when school is not in session and provide congregate nutritional meals (breakfasts, snacks, lunches and/or dinners) for children and youth. Summer food service programs are generally available to youth age 18 and younger who live in designated low-income areas; and may be federally-funded or funded by other entities.

Comprehensive Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment

Supervised, structured programs that offer a wide range of outpatient services which may be coordinated by a case manager and may include individual and group counseling, 12-step meetings, social and recreational activities, educational and vocational services, life skills training, primary health care, perinatal health care, a program for family members, relapse prevention services, a continuing care program and supportive services (such as child care, transportation and parenting skills development) for individuals who have problems related to excessive use of alcohol and/or use of other drugs and need access to treatment to maintain their individual recovery plans but do not require the intensity of a day treatment program or 24-hour hospital care. Participants attend the program on a regularly scheduled basis at least once a month but usually more frequently depending on their individual needs. Intensive outpatient programs are usually available three or four days per week for three or four hours per day.

Adolescent/Youth Counseling

Programs that specialize in the treatment of adolescents, usually age 12 or 13 through 17, who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbance, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness. The programs may help youth troubled by low self-esteem, social isolation, peer pressure, bullying, school performance issues, truancy, anger management issues, family problems, grief and loss, sexual promiscuity, sexually transmitted disease, alcohol or drug addiction, eating disorders, oppositional and defiant behaviors, depression and anxiety, suicidal thoughts or other difficult issues.

Bereaved Child Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are children and youth who have experienced the loss of a parent, sibling or other relative and need the emotional support of the group to alleviate feelings of isolation and a sense of responsibility for the loss. The groups may meet in-person, by telephone or via the Internet.

Child Guidance

Programs that specialize in the treatment of children from infancy to age 12 who have adjustment problems, behavior problems, emotional disturbances, a personality disorder or incipient mental illness.

Child Sexual Abuse Counseling

Programs that specialize in the treatment of children and youth who are coping with the trauma of child sexual abuse which occurs when an adult, older adolescent or another child threatens, forces or manipulates a child into sexual activity abusing the relationship of power and authority that adults have over children. Sexual abuse includes sexual kissing, touching, fondling a child’s genitals, oral, anal or vaginal intercourse and incest (sexual intercourse between an adult family member and a child or between siblings) as well as behaviors that don’t involve contact such as genital exposure ("flashing"), intentionally engaging in sexual activity in front of a child, verbal pressure for sex, and sexual exploitation for purposes of prostitution or pornography. Child sexual abuse can take place within the family by a parent, step-parent, sibling or other relative; or outside the home by a friend, neighbor, child care provider, teacher or stranger. Separate counseling sessions may be structured for young children who have been victimized and for older children in their teens.

Parent Child Interactive Therapy

Programs that offer PCIT, a behavior management program that helps parents learn new ways to eliminate destructive behaviors in young children such as physical aggression, swearing, defiance, and disrespect to adults. PCIT places emphasis on improving the quality of the parent-child relationship by changing parent-child interaction patterns. It combines one-on-one coaching for parents by a trained PCIT therapist using structured child-parent play activities. The therapist uses a two-way mirror to watch the family interact and provides continual, real-time feedback, directions and encouragement through a hearing-aid-size radio receiver worn by the parent. Parents are first taught how to give praise for positive behavior and, when the parent and child have mastered the skills and the relationship has improved, move to the second phase of the process where discipline is introduced for negative behaviors.

Runaway/Homeless Youth Counseling

Programs that provide emotional support, information and guidance for children and adolescents who have run away from home and for the entire family, if appropriate, with the objective of identifying and resolving the problems that prompted the youth to leave home and/or assisting the youth to formulate and implement a workable plan for his or her immediate future.

Youth/Student Support Groups

Mutual support groups whose members are young people, including students, who want an opportunity to share their issues and concerns with other youth in a safe, supportive environment. Meeting formats may include in-person, telephone or Internet options.

Child/Adolescent Residential Treatment Facilities

Programs that provide a therapeutic living environment in a community-based facility for emotionally disturbed, severely learning disabled, delinquent, pre-delinquent and/or abused children and youth who, because of the severity of their problems, are unable to adjust to other placements but do not require inpatient psychiatric hospitalization. Services include crisis stabilization, initial and continuing bio-psychosocial assessment, care management, medication management, therapy and mobilization of family support and community resources in the context of a comprehensive multidisciplinary treatment plan. Residents often attend on-grounds schools or public special education classes and receive services that are geared to their individual needs and the goal of returning to their own or their foster families.

Early Intervention for Children With Disabilities/Delays

Programs that identify infants, toddlers and in some cases, preschoolers who show evidence of or are at risk for lags in physical development, cognitive development, language and speech development, psychosocial development or self-help skills, and provide or coordinate the delivery of an enrichment program in order to minimize the potential for a developmental delay and to meet their current developmental needs. The program may include early identification activities (child find); a developmental evaluation; a review of family concerns, priorities and resources; meetings with the family to develop an individualized family service plan; service coordination to ensure that the individual and his or her family receive needed services which may include but are not limited to physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, health/medical services, nursing services, nutrition services, psychological services including specialized play groups or therapy sessions, counseling, speech and language assistance, special instructional services, transportation, and parenting skills development; and ongoing evaluation of the child's progress and his or her changing enrichment needs. Included are "birth to three" programs and federal, state or local programs that address the needs of slightly older children or children not otherwise eligible for "birth to three" programs.

Early Intervention for Mental Illness

Programs that identify and provide treatment for individuals whose personal condition and social experiences could potentially produce mental, emotional or social dysfunctions with the objective of preventing their development; or which conduct general screening efforts to identify and treat children who have emerging problems to ensure the best possible prognosis.

Involuntary Psychiatric Intervention

Programs that provide a mechanism for mobile emergency response in situations where an individual's mental or emotional condition results in behavior which constitutes an imminent danger to him or herself or to another and the person is unwilling to seek voluntary treatment. The program conducts an immediate assessment of the psychological condition and functioning of the individual and can issue an order which authorizes involuntary hospitalization for a specified period of time for the purposes of observation and treatment. A request for intervention can be made by family members, community residents and/or community agencies.

Youth Violence Prevention

Programs that attempt to reduce the incidence of violent acts committed by youth on the streets, in the schools or in other settings through a variety of educational interventions which may focus on children of various ages, parents, people who work with families, the schools, health care providers, law enforcement officials and/or the community at large. The program may provide information about model/promising prevention and intervention programs and crisis response strategies; descriptions of the risk factors associated with youth violence; research including statistics on violence committed by and against children and teens; outreach; and/or presentations that may be tailored for a variety of audiences.

Children's Rights Groups

Organizations that support the passage and enforcement of laws that protect children from arbitrary treatment, abuse, neglect, exploitation and other forms of maltreatment; and which promote social measures that are designed to enhance the well-being of children.

Dropout Programs

Programs that provide educational services for students who have been suspended or expelled from school or have left school for other reasons prior to receiving a diploma; or which seek to prevent students of compulsory school age from skipping classes, being suspended or expelled for disruptive behavior, failing or maintaining a low grade point average, or dropping out of school.

School Based Integrated Services

Programs, often offered directly by schools, that develop collaborative partnerships with public and private community agencies to meet the mental health, juvenile justice, social service and academic needs of school children whose struggles with multiple problems including poor physical or mental health, inadequate nutrition, substance abuse, family dysfunction or insufficient community support are affecting their educational performance. The purpose of these programs is to develop an integrated services delivery system through which existing resources are coordinated and made available to children and youth, their parents and family members at or near the school site.

Wraparound Facilitation/Community Support

Programs that employ the Wraparound Facilitation model, a family centered, community-oriented, strengths based and highly individualized approach to meet the needs of children with complicated, multi-dimensional problems. The approach involves the development of a child and family team which creates and implements a wraparound plan that identifies a set of community services and natural supports to promote success, safety, and permanence in home, school and community. The Wraparound facilitator coordinates team meetings and ensures the team identifies and prioritizes goals, provides crisis and safety planning, and tracks the family's progress towards goal attainment. The family is prepared and supported as they transition from formal services to independence. While the major initiative to develop Wraparound Facilitation originated with the mental health system and has been particularly successful for children and adolescents with severe emotional and behavioral problems, the intervention is being employed in a number of other child service sectors including education, juvenile justice and child welfare.