Youth Advocate Services
Promoting Positive Futures

At the heart of our mission are our Traditional and Therapeutic Foster Care services that are provided across Central Ohio, boasting a network of over 55 dedicated foster homes. As Ohio's longest-standing Therapeutic Foster Care program since 1978, YAS is committed to delivering unparalleled care.

Unlike Family or Traditional Foster Care, Therapeutic Foster Care (TFC) goes beyond, addressing the physical, emotional, and social needs of children and youth in a supportive family setting. This approach extends until reunification with the natural family or a permanent adoption placement is arranged.

The Foster Home serves as the primary treatment setting for children who have endured trauma within their families and communities. YAS provides comprehensive training and support to Foster Parents, empowering them to deliver trauma-informed care aligned with each child's individualized treatment plan. Crucially, every home with a foster child placement is assigned a dedicated Family Counselor. Beyond supporting and coaching Foster Parents, these counselors also offer mental health services to foster children when needed.

In our unique model, Foster Parents play a vital role as key members of the child's treatment team, alongside a YAS Family Counselor, the child's family, the county social worker, and other community resource professionals. This collaborative approach ensures that children benefit from a nurturing home environment while receiving essential counseling and clinical services. Our Family Counselors, conducting individual, family, and sibling counseling, work closely with Foster Parents to evaluate interventions' effectiveness through regular meetings.

At YAS, we foster more than homes; we cultivate dynamic and collaborative treatment processes, ensuring both foster children and Foster Parents receive the unwavering support and resources they need. Join us in making a lasting impact on the lives of these resilient children and their families.

From Foster to Forever: One Case Manager's Journey Through Seven Adoptions in One Year


YAS Foster Care Case Manager, Jillian Bergman, shares her experience, revealing the transformative power of fostering and the creation of forever families.

READ ABOUT IT HERE 

In Her Shoes: Anita Godfrey’s Journey as a Leading Black Woman in Foster Care Advocacy


From overcoming challenges to fostering hope, delve into YAS Director of Foster Care's story of resilience and commitment to empowering youth in foster care.

READ ABOUT IT HERE 

contact us today

traditional and therapeutic foster care services

FOR FOSTER CARE PLACEMENTS

Please contact us at 614.313.2497 or anita.godfrey@yasohio.org.


INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE ABOUT
BECOMING A FOSTER PARENT?
 

Contact our team at 614.285.3767 or cgilbert@yasohio.org or click on the link below to learn more about our fostering process.