Youth Advocate Programs Arizona Maricopa County

Youth Advocate Programs or YAP runs a community based behavioral health program in Maricopa County, Arizona for youth ages 5 to 18. The program has outpatient behavioral health support like behavioral coaching, therapy and individualized service planning.

They're unique in giving young people care where they already are, like in their homes, schools and neighborhoods.

Youth Behavioral Health in Homes and Schools

YAP's program is built to keep kids out of residential treatment, psychiatric hospitals and youth jails by meeting them in their own environments. They bring behavioral services to their clients at home, at school and in the community instead of in an office.

For families who face barriers like transportation or knowing what's available, this removes the burden of getting a child to a clinic on a fixed schedule.

It's designed for youth who are affected by trauma or abuse as well as neglect, violence or the child welfare and youth justice systems. It's not a direct addiction rehab program but they can help with prevention and with intervening when a teen's substance use is at an early stage.

Capacity for Over 100 Families

The behavioral health team here has grown from five staff supporting 52 clients to 25 staff who can serve117 young people and their families. So if you're wondering whether there's space for your family here, there likely is.

Their coverage now reaches beyond West Phoenix and Glendale to include Mesa, Gilbert and Chandler as well as Tempe, Goodyear and Avondale.

Many of the services have no fee for participants covered by Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program. Medicaid-eligible youth are usually referred through agencies or directly.