How We Work

Our Model

Youth Services’ programs help children, young people and families cope with tough issues. We also believe in helping people learn how to grow, both as individuals and as a family, so they can solve their own problems.

The mess surrounding our divorce affected my kids in a bad way. Counseling from Youth Services taught me to deal with situations differently, how to handle them better, improve the outcome. Thanks to them, my kids are also getting individual help and will have a Big Sister or Big Brother. My daughter is starting to get her sparkle back.

Local Parent

Youth Services’ staff helps with problems ranging from the challenges associated with growing up to substance abuse, communications at home, disinterest in school or trouble with the law. Since the agency was established in 1972, we have assisted an average of 1,679 children, young people and adults each year.

Counseling, Case Management and Mediation

Youth Services assists young people and families with challenges in a respectful, no-blame atmosphere through counseling, case management or mediation.

At Youth Services, we help keep families together, avoiding the placement of children outside their home, through family intervention. We can help with parenting concerns including school-related issues, fighting, bedtimes and discipline.

In addition to services provided at our headquarters in Brattleboro, Vermont, Youth Services has a satellite office in Bellows Falls at Parks Place Community Resource Center and student assistance professionals in high schools and most middle schools throughout Windham County. Our school-based professionals advise students on substance abuse prevention, facilitate support groups and offer consultation services to parents and school staff.

Assistance is available when a teenager leaves home, threatens to run away or feels hopeless about his or her life. Youth Services can provide temporary assistance with food and shelter while providing family mediation or counseling for teens or their families.

We strive to ensure all clients receive services, regardless of their ability to pay.

Restorative Justice

Youth Services offers a voluntary alternative to the court process that makes it possible for offenders, referred to the program by the State’s Attorney’s office, to take responsibility for their unlawful actions and repair the harm experienced by the victim(s) and the community.

Mentoring

One of the sweetest two-way streets in Windham County is Big Brothers Big Sisters, a program of Youth Services. Adults and older teens volunteer to be a friend to a child, and they spend time having fun together. The children benefit from having a positive relationship with a caring mentor, and volunteers benefit by experiencing the joy of connecting with a child.

Youth Services staff also provides mentoring, supervision and support to 12- to 18-year-old youth on probation, in custody or at risk of illegal behavior.

Outreach services are offered to youth living in difficult circumstances by the program’s staff of trained professionals and peer outreach workers who provide information, emotional support and referrals to youth in need while serving as healthy role models.

Our professional staff is available to help older youth aged 16 to 21 learn how to lead healthy, productive lives and develop the skills necessary for independent living.