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

Directions for Youth & Families impacts over 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.

Check out the Chili Bowl VI hosted by The Parker Lee Foundation. Sunday Nov 25 at the Grandview Theatre starting at noon watch Bengals/Browns on the big screen while enjoying chili, hot dogs, cornbread & more. Tickets are $10 in advance or $15 at the door. It’s all for a good cause – the Eric J. Yavitch scholarship for DFYF youth center kids.

There are many ways you can help us. Donate to our annual campaign supporting DFYF programs & services.  Adopt one of our client families (or two!) for our holiday Friends Helping Families program. Buy youth created holiday cards. Mark your calendar for Winter is Here, our second annual concert event, January 31, 2019 at Woodlands Backyard (Yes, Hello My Name is Duane WILL be playing). See all our events and activities here.

Counseling Services

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