Youth & Family Counseling (YFC)

Youth & Family Counseling offers individual and family counseling to youth aged 8-18 and their families. YFC is designed to address the specific needs of those experiencing difficult situations in their lives.  In addition, youth can be referred for a comprehensive assessment to determine if additional services are needed.

“Our family had a wonderful experience. Our counselor was positive, supportive and flexible. Our child got a lot out of the counseling she received.” — Parent

Girls Empowerment Group (GEG)

The Girls Empowerment Group encourages girls to seek and celebrate their “true selves” by giving them a safe space, encouragement, structure and support to embrace their important journey of self discovery.  A strength based approach helps girls identify and apply their power and voice as individuals and as a group focusing on issues that are important in the lives of adolescent girls. Topics include learning about self, connecting with others, exploring healthy living and planning for the future. The aim of the program is to provide education and supportive counseling geared toward the specific needs of adolescent girls.

“They (group leaders) really know the teenage mind. They know what we are going through. They don’t single anyone out, don’t yell, don’t present anything in a rude way. Now I realize how lucky I am. They have helped me get back on my feet. I see life differently.” – Youth, 14 years old.

VolunTEEN

The VolunTEEN program provides DeKalb County youth ages 12-18 with ongoing, organized opportunities to volunteer in their community while enhancing their civic awareness. YSB will provide coordination of volunteer experiences, collaboration with other community organizations, and supervision of the youth that are volunteering.

“Throughout the time I’ve been here and the things I’ve done to help, I’ve learned even the little things you do can mean so much and help so many people. It made me realize that even though my community is big, everything I do means something. This experience has changed my mind about volunteer work; it makes you feel better about yourself.” Youth, 13 years old.

Active Parenting of Teens (APT)

APT is a six-session skills-building workshop for parents of teens. The video-based workshop is designed to help parents learn how to more effectively communicate with their teens in ways which foster responsibility, successful conflict resolution and self-esteem.

“Thank you very much for all the tips. It has been very encouraging to hear suggestions and other parent’s points of view.” – Parent.

Alternative to Suspension Program (ASP)

Alternative to Suspension offers services to youth suspended out of school in lieu of spending unsupervised time at home.  The curriculum includes academic assistance, service learning, assessments, suspension prevention, anger management, drug/alcohol prevention, peer conflict, career exploration, and physical fitness components. ASP collaborates with schools to help youth maintain academic and attendance status.

“This is a wonderful program…I think having students come here is great. I have a feeling that homework doesn’t get done otherwise during suspension. I also love that my child is doing community service. I would recommend this program to family or friends.” – Parent.

“I noticed a significant improvement with how the student behaves at school as far as appropriate interactions with peers and teachers. We are very grateful to have had this program as an option.” ­– School Social Worker.

ASP Initial Paperwork Packet 2011-2012 School Year

Crisis Intervention Program

Crisis Intervention assists families when a youth is refusing to return home,  has run away from home, or during a lock-out crisis situation by providing immediate intervention 24 hours a day as well as follow-up counseling.  Referrals for this program generally come from police stations in DeKalb County when families are unable to reach a solution in which everyone feels safe and understood.  Families who qualify for this program will receive four free sessions of counseling.  The goal for services through this program is to keep families together and to prevent DCFS and/or court involvement through counseling.

“YSB has helped my family so much with confidence, self-esteem, and understanding one another.”—following a runaway situation and 4 free counseling sessions     –parent–

DeKalb County Youth Project (DCYP)

Youth Project is geared toward youth between the ages of 11 and 18.  The program was developed for the purpose of equipping youth with the skills to identify, manage, and appropriately express anger and other intense emotions, in order to prevent aggressive and abusive tendencies, promote pro-social skills, improve anger control, and reduce the frequency of acting out behaviors.  Youth can be referred for counseling or META (Managing Emotions, Thoughts, & Actions), an educational group that focus on three components: Anger Control (the Emotional component), Moral Reasoning (the Thoughts component), and Social Skills (the Actions component).

“This group helped me to respect other people’s perspectives and feelings, which will help me build better relationships.” – Youth, 17 years old.

Alcohol / Drug Early Intervention Programs (EIP)

Early Intervention is designed to educate teens about alcohol, drug, and tobacco-related issues. A two-session screening assessment is used to gather drug/alcohol history and make recommendations for services. This program uses group education to provide accurate information regarding alcohol/drug use and exploration of the decision-making process involved in making healthy choices.  It also offers process groups in our DeKalb County schools.

“I now realize how much trouble I can get into if I just go along with the crowd.  I have never gotten in any kind of trouble before.  I want to go to college and am involved in sports.  My parents were really disappointed when they got a call from the police.

I will never put myself in that situation again.  This class has taught me to think before I act and to consider the consequences.  I am glad I got caught the first time.” Youth, 16 years old.

Juvenile Diversion

Juvenile diversion is a program for youth who are first time offenders in the Juvenile Court System in lieu of legal ramifications.  This program assists youth by linking them with comprehensive services, which can include counseling, assessments, and community service amongst others. Youth must be referred by the DeKalb County State’s Attorney’s Office.

To help save time at your first appointment if referred to the Diversion program, you can fill out the  Diversion Intake Form prior to your scheduled meeting.

TeenREACH

TeenREACH is an after-school program offered by the Sycamore School District for academic and life skill enrichment. The program is offered to Sycamore Junior High students as well as some Sycamore Elementary School students. DCYSB contracts with the TeenREACH program to provide mentoring services, career exploration, volunteerism opportunities and experiential therapy. Youth are referred to the program by school district personnel.