Youth Avocate Programs

Youth Advocate Programs (YAP) is a center offering community-based outpatient behavioral health, youth justice and family-support services in the Glendale and greater Maricopa County, Arizona area.

YAP serves children, teens, young adults and families facing behavioral health challenges, including youth involved with juvenile justice or child welfare systems and adults returning from incarceration due to issues like substance use.

Through its signature YAPWrap model the center delivers strengths-based, individualized care that keeps young people connected to family, school and community rather than out-of-home placements.

Community Behavioral Health and Youth Support

I noted that YAP's core focus is wraparound behavioral health support for youth and families with complex, cross-system needs.

Using the YAPWrap approach trained and supervised Advocates provide mentoring, coaching, case management and modeling, often sharing neighborhood, language, cultural or lived-experience connections with the people they serve.

Care planning centers on detailed assessment, family-team meetings, safety planning and goal development, along with connections to formal and informal community supports.

I appreciate that advocates meet with participants multiple times per week in homes, schools and community settings at times responsive to each family's needs.

An Alternative to Out-of-Home Care

YAP offers a community-based alternative to youth incarceration, residential placement and psychiatric hospitalization.

Services include trauma support, help accessing basic needs, life-skills development and relationship building.

When substance use is the primary clinical concern, YAP can coordinate referrals to dedicated addiction treatment providers.