Programs & Services

Community-Based Treatment & Prevention Services

Directions for Youth & Families offers programs that provide community-based treatment and prevention services that emphasize commitment to the family, school, and work. Services are provided through innovative programs that are resiliency-oriented, trauma-informed and focus on the reduction of self-defeating behaviors and assisting youth, adults and families in leading positive and productive lives.

Our Approach

  • We are a resiliency-oriented, trauma-informed agency.
  • We support the basic values of the human service field beginning with where the client is and protecting an individual’s right to self-determination.
  • Our accepting and non-judgmental approach respects each individual and the family unit, recognizing strengths in diversity, culture, values, and belief systems.
  • We promote an individual and family’s right to choose. Our purpose is not to make choices for people, nor tell them what to decide. We discuss options with those we serve and respect their decisions, thereby preserving and affording people the opportunity to learn and grow from the choices they make regarding their lives.

Our programs are offered in three main categories:

Clinical Counseling Programs

We provide individual, family and group counseling. Our 13 treatment programs address a wide range of issues including trauma, depression, anxiety, isolation and aggression. The majority of our treatment programs are provided on an outreach basis – in client’s homes, schools, or other community settings – to reduce barriers to treatment and provide services in the environment they are needed. Some office-based counseling is available.  Learn more here.

Education Programs

  • Ready Set Grow, an in-home kindergarten readiness program, works directly with children and parent/guardian to enhance learning and assist parents with child development skills. Learn more here.
  • Positive Paths Parenting program works to strengthen and improve family functioning and reduce the incidence and risk of child abuse/neglect through home-based services as well as formal class instruction. Learn more here.
  • Early Headstart Collaboration provides case management services to the families of youth ages 6 weeks to 3 years who are enrolled in Early Head Start through our partnership with The Ohio State University. Learn more here.

After-School & Summer Programs

After-school and summer programming works to educate youth about the consequences of unhealthy lifestyle choices, teen sexual activity, substance use, and delinquency.  Through innovative activities, DFYF prevention staff instruct youth while allowing them to discuss issues important to them and come to informed decisions about positive decision-making, peer pressure and healthy behaviors. Learn more here.

We offer services for the following:

  • Mental health assessments and counseling
  • Sexual abuse survivors
  • Children of murdered parents and siblings
  • Drug and alcohol abuse
  • Kindergarten readiness
  • Domestic violence/children who witness violence
  • Teen parenting and traditional parenting classes

Referrals for services come from schools, parents, juvenile court, other social services agencies, churches, and concerned community residents. Services are provided without cost to participants or are offered on a sliding fee scale. Crisis support services are available for clients 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We hold the national COA accreditation as well as the state OMHAS certification.

Download DFYF’s Guide to Our Services Brochure

Contact our Intake Department at intake@dfyf.org or 614.294.2661 for more information.