Pontiac Youth Assistance provides free, confidential, short-term, family-centered counseling and referral services for young people, 16 years of age of younger and their families, who live or attend school in Pontiac School District. Referrals are accepted from schools, police, neighbors, and parents themselves with concerns about their child. The Family Division’s Intake Unit diverts cases when, in their judgement, Youth Assistance services are most appropriate. Typical reasons for referral include retail fraud, school and home problems, assault, alcohol and other drug abuse, and violations of local ordinances.