Since our founding in 1975, YAP’s expertise and passion have been in serving deep-end, multi-need and cross-system youth and families, though we have success across a continuum of needs and challenges. We provide safe, cost-effective services to youth and families involved in numerous systems, including the Child Welfare, Juvenile Justice, Behavioral Health, Developmental Disabilities, Education and Adult Systems.  We serve over 10,000 families a year in more than 100 programs across 17 states in rural, suburban and urban areas including 25 major metro areas. Since our beginning in 1975, 100% of our programming occurs in the home communities of the people we serve.

What We Believe

We believe the needs of individuals and families- even those with high risk- can safely and most effectively be met within a home and community setting.

We believe that every individual possesses strengths, potential, interests and talents that make them unique and can be built upon and shared.

We believe that everyone needs access to positive people, places and activities within their community to develop their natural potential and live full, productive lives.

We believe that partnering with families to identify their needs and preferences preserves dignity and improves outcomes.

We believe that investing in community-based programming is a cost-effective, responsible alternative to out of home placements.

YAP partners with families to move them from where they are to where they want to be by providing intensive, unconditional support through our YAP Wrap model. Our model is comprehensive and holistic, utilizing best practices and core principles found in the wraparound, mentoring, restorative justice and positive youth development fields.

YAP works with families to increase their ability to self-manage and safely problem-solve their needs; develops their competencies and skills; and simultaneously builds their network of community support. Our approach is strength-based and focuses on meeting needs and replacing challenges with positive, pro-social activities and supports.

The central tenets of our delivery model:

A No Refuse Policy: No youth or family will be refused or ejected from services.

Individualized Plans: Each plan is based on the family’s unique needs, strengths, culture and preferences.

Family Focused: Parents/Caregivers are engaged as partners in their services, and support is offered to help them meet their needs and goals, too.

Strength Based: We look at what strengths and assets kids and families have and seek to build upon them.

Neighborhood Based Recruitment: We recruit staff who live in the same communities as the families we serve, thus promoting true cultural competence.

The "how" of what we do will vary with each youth we work with because our plans are individualized. But overall, what we do is simple: we do whatever it takes.

Eligibility	YAP employs a No Refuse Policy: No youth or family will be refused or ejected from services. The agency's "no reject, no eject" policy ensures youth and famlies with extremely comlex needs will be paired with staff who are knowledgeable of each client's individual circumstances. Staff show consistent positive regard for families despite resistance or non-compliance will always maintain a "never give up" approach with all youth.
Age Groups	Children Adolescents Adults
Community Services	Education School-Based Services Employment / Training Life Skills Training Preparing for Adulthood Family & Support Services Adoption / Foster Care Family Support Parenting & Caregiving Youth Groups
Health Services	Behavioral / Mental Health ADHD / ADD Anger Management Anxiety Behavioral Conduct Disorder Depression Eating Disorders Family Conflict & Distress Grief / Loss Mental Health Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) Self-Injury Substance Use Teen Issues Trauma / PTSD Crisis / Safety Bullying Child Abuse / Neglect Crisis / Safety / Prevention Gang Prevention Suicide / Suicidal Ideation Intellectual and Developmental Needs Advocacy Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) Learning Disabilities Special Needs
Treatment Services	In-Community Services Behavioral Assistance Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Individual Support Services (ISS) Intensive In-Community (IIC) Services Mentoring Outreach Services Parent Coaching / Mentoring Professional Services / Wraparound Psychological / Psychiatric Evals Outpatient Services Alternative Therapies Assessment / Evaluation Counseling Counseling / Therapy, Family Counseling / Therapy, Individual Creative Arts Therapy Medication Monitoring Play Therapy Social Skills Treatment Settings Home In Community Office / Practice Telehealth
Payment Options	Medicaid Self Pay System of Care (CSOCI Medicaid / FlexFunds)
Areas Served	Essex County Union County

Last Updated: 04/23/24