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YCS Youth Consultation Service
A 501(c)(3) nonprofit

Helping children with special needs and their families since 1918.

10/19/2026

Thank you to News 12 New Jersey for highlighting YCS's recognition as a 2026 Angels in Adoption® Honoree! 💙

Nominated by U.S. Senator Cory Booker, this national honor recognizes our Specialized Treatment Homes Program and the dedicated staff who support children and families across New Jersey.

Every day, our team works to help children feel safe, supported and valued. We're grateful to see their compassion, dedication and the difference they make in the lives of those we serve recognized.

For Amerra, becoming more independent has meant learning new skills, building confidence and, most recently, preparing t...
10/15/2026

For Amerra, becoming more independent has meant learning new skills, building confidence and, most recently, preparing to begin a career of her own.

When Amerra first came to the YCS Sawtelle Buffalo Home, she was shy and guarded. Over the past two years, she has made tremendous progress, taking on more responsibilities and becoming increasingly confident in what she can accomplish.

This year, Amerra reached another important milestone when she completed a Home Health Aide certification program. Now, she is preparing for her first assignment in caregiving and the opportunity to use what she has learned to support others.

During National Disability Employment Awareness Month, we’re proud to celebrate Amerra and recognize the importance of creating opportunities for people with disabilities to pursue meaningful employment, greater independence and their own goals for the future.

Congratulations, Amerra! 💙

Every child and family has their own experiences, challenges and needs, and listening to those experiences is an importa...
10/10/2026

Every child and family has their own experiences, challenges and needs, and listening to those experiences is an important part of providing meaningful support.

This World Mental Health Day, the theme “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change” highlights the importance of making sure the voices of people with lived experience are included in conversations about mental health care.

At YCS, listening to children and families is at the heart of helping them find the care and support that works for them. From our residential services to our community programs and schools - we join with advocates around the world in recognizing the value of listening, understanding and ensuring children and families have a voice in the care and support they receive.

Through the Dr. Helen May Strauss Clinics, YCS works with children from birth through age 21 and their families as they navigate a range of emotional, behavioral and psychological challenges.

Learn more about our outpatient mental health services: https://hubs.ly/Q04zDkSn0.

The Spiritual Mindfulness graduation was hosted in Somerdale for our southern region residents. Everyone who attended wa...
10/05/2026

The Spiritual Mindfulness graduation was hosted in Somerdale for our southern region residents. Everyone who attended was very happy, ate a delicious meal, and received a certificate from YCS Chaplain Bill Waller and Rayletta Garrison, COO, commemorating their achievement. Then, something unexpected happened. The graduates started singing and dancing and putting on their own mini talent show! It was great!

Congratulations to all the 2026 Spiritual Mindfulness graduates!

Being recognized as a 2026 Angels in Adoption® Honoree gave YCS an opportunity to bring the experiences of the children ...
10/05/2026

Being recognized as a 2026 Angels in Adoption® Honoree gave YCS an opportunity to bring the experiences of the children and families we serve to Capitol Hill.

Representatives from our Specialized Treatment Homes Program , Tracie Bass, Assistant Vice President of the Specialized Treatment Homes and Anthony Raymond, Coordinator of Recruitment/Licensing, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. for the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute Angels in Adoption® Leadership Program and Celebration, joining honorees from across the country working in adoption, foster care and child welfare.

For Tracie Bass, one of the most meaningful parts of the experience was having the opportunity to share the team’s stories and advocate directly for children, families and the child welfare system. During the visit, YCS representatives met with members of Congress and their staff, including U.S. Senator Cory Booker, who nominated YCS for this national recognition.

The experience connected the work our teams do every day with the larger policy conversations taking place in Washington, while giving YCS the opportunity to share firsthand perspectives from those working directly with children and families in New Jersey.

We’re grateful to CCAI and Senator Booker for this recognition and proud of our Specialized Treatment Homes staff and treatment families who make this work possible.

YCS representatives attended the 26th Annual Essex County, Mental Health, and Addiction Coalition Legislative Breakfast,...
10/02/2026

YCS representatives attended the 26th Annual Essex County, Mental Health, and Addiction Coalition Legislative Breakfast, hosted by MHA, Mental Health Association, an event that brings together mental health agencies and NJ legislators.

Robert N. Davidson, MHA’s CEO, opened the event and welcomed New Jersey State Senator John F. McKeon and Christopher J. Durkin, Essex County Clerk, to the podium. Senator McKeon offered his support to all the agencies in the room and his deep appreciation of direct care workers. County Clerk Durkin encouraged everyone to vote and to continue providing compassionate care.

Robert then called Jennifer Egan, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Candy House” to the stage for an interview. Jennifer shared her experiences as an author, her research and writing on addiction, and as a sister to a younger brother who had serious mental health issues.

YCS was proud to help sponsor this event.

10/02/2026

🌟 Congratulations Chartel Bush! YCS

Thank You, Chartel! For nearly 25 years, your compassion, patience, and dedication have made a lasting difference in the lives of the individuals you support. From creating comforting routines to sharing home-cooked meals and being there through challenging moments, you bring warmth and care to everything you do. NJACP is thrilled to celebrate your dedication and recognize you as one of our 2026 Heroes! 💙💛❤️

The second episode of the Promising Pathways to Success (PPS) Podcast is here!Through authentic conversations, the PPS P...
09/29/2026

The second episode of the Promising Pathways to Success (PPS) Podcast is here!

Through authentic conversations, the PPS Podcast explores evidence-based practices that help create safer, more compassionate environments for youth in residential care.

In this episode, host Lorenzo Brown speaks with clinician Molly Holt, who shares her expertise and insights on working with LGBTQ+ youth.

Click here to view: https://youtu.be/3gF2FwE9qWI

Congratulations to Laurie Haven on celebrating its 30th anniversary!!Laurie Haven celebrated its Pearl anniversary with ...
09/25/2026

Congratulations to Laurie Haven on celebrating its 30th anniversary!!

Laurie Haven celebrated its Pearl anniversary with colleagues and participants from around the agency. Everyone ate delicious food, prepared in-house, and was treated to playing video games on a mobile video game trailer!

Laurie Haven staff all had special T-shirts, and those with more than 10 years of service had their names and years of service printed on them. Veteran staff want to show newer employees that they can stay and make a big impact on the lives of their residents.

Many thanks to the Laurie Haven employees for their dedication, and once again, congratulations on this amazing milestone!

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1 Boland Drive, Suite 203
Hackensack, NJ
07052

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