Improving lives of individuals, families, and communities through counseling, education, and support.

Directions for Youth & Families impacts 6,000 youth and their families each year through mental, emotional and behavioral health services. We are a resiliency-oriented, trauma-informed agency working and training with experts and educators. Through counseling, education and support programs we are proud of the impact we have in contributing to a healthy community – one individual, one family at a time.

You can get involved with DFYF by supporting our events and celebrating our youth.

Raising funds for scholarships! The Chili Bowl VII, hosted by the Parker Lee Foundation, is Sunday November 10 at Grandview Theater. Watch a Browns game on the big screen while enjoying chili, hot dogs, cornbread & more. It’s all for a good cause – the Eric J. Yavitch scholarship for DFYF youth center kids. We hope to see you there!

Your support means everything to us. When you donate to DFYF programs and services you make hope, healing and resiliency possible for central Ohio youth and their families.

See all our events and activities here.

Counseling
Services

We provide 15 programs addressing a range of issues including school concerns, sexual abuse, delinquency, domestic violence, family conflict, substance abuse and mental health issues. Most programs are provided on an outreach basis, in youth’s homes, schools or other community settings. Learn more.

Educational
Programs

Our Positive Paths Parenting classes provide skills and education to strengthen the family unit. Ready, Set, Grow is an in-home kindergarten readiness program working directly with children and parent/guardian to enhance learning and assist parents with child development skills.

After School &
Summer Programs

Our after-school and summer programs provide homework help, computer labs, leadership development, recreation and creative arts programming. We operate two youth centers, Crittenton Center, on the east side in the Kimberly Parkway neighborhood, and Ohio Avenue Youth Center.

  • Central Ohio United Way
  • ADAMH
  • Franklin County DJFS
  • National Crittenton Foundation
  • Council of Accreditation
  • Ohio Mental Health