Program Structure

Youth Assistance programs are community-based, and developed by volunteers who live and/or work in the communities in which they serve. The Circuit Court provides the professional staff to work with the volunteers and to provide direct casework services. Each local Youth Assistance program operates under the sponsorship and financial support of its local school district, the municipalities therein, and the Probate Court/Circuit Court-Family Division. Additional funding is obtained through grants, donations, and local fund-raising efforts.

The Oakland County Youth Assistance Coordinating Council, Inc. provides advice, consultation, and support to the Central Office and to the local Youth Assistance Boards. The Council provides training for local officers and coordinates county-wide events. It seeks and distributes grant monies to the local Boards, and produces the Youth Assistance newsletter. 

Casework Services

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 Oakland County.

Youth Recognition

Young people are recognized for making positive, volunteer contributions to their communities.

Family Education

Youth Assistance offers a variety of programs all aimed at improving communication between parents and their children, understanding child development, and enhancing parenting skills.

Camp

Camp scholarships are provided to young people who are in need of either a day camp or overnight experience.

Mentor's Plus

Adult volunteers are matched with a youngster, age 5 to 16, on a one-to-one mentoring basis.

Skillbuilding

Youth Assistance provides scholarships to youth who would benefit from a positive learning experience, designed to enhance their self-esteem, and a specific skill such as math and reading tutorial, dance, voice, musical instrument or art lessons.