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

Directions for Youth & Families impacts over 8,500 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.

Leadership Transition – CEO Announcement Press Release 12 2026

How you can get involved

Join us for Sips & Scents with DFYF. Stay tuned for a new date. We are pleased to partner with Worthington Candle Works and House Wines for an evening to make a candle, make a difference. Thank you to our Community Engagement Committee for hosting this event!

Please support the power of YOUth – made possible by you. As we start out 2026, please give now to help us reach even more children this year. Let’s give kids the opportunity to show what they have the power to achieve when we’re there to support them. Every donation goes towards providing youth and families with critical counseling and support services so they can heal and pursue their dreams.

Join DFYF’s Community Engagement Committee! Are you passionate about making a difference? We are seeking creative and enthusiastic individuals to help raise awareness and funds for our mental health services and prevention programs. To learn more, please contact us at jwilliams@dfyf.org.

Please enjoy and share our annual Impact Report. We hope you feel connected as you read what our supporters, partners, staff, and volunteers helped make possible. They are the driving force behind meeting the needs of those we serve. We prepared this report with gratitude, hope, and appreciation. Read it here.

Counseling
Services

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

Early
Childhood

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. We provide prenatal and early childhood support through the Early Head Start Partnership Program.

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 Community 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