Frequently Asked Questions

The department delivers programs and services to strengthen the healthy functioning of families, empower youth to develop their skills, and promote youth as valued and contributing members of the community. Youth Services centrally coordinates the comprehensive delivery of services and advocates for youth and their families. The department strives to enhance the networking and support between family, school, peer, and community environments. Direct Services

• Information and Referral
• Family Service Needs Assessment
• Individual and Family Counseling
• Outreach Support Services
• Advocacy, Service Coordination, and Case Management
• Positive Youth Development Groups
• Educational Support Groups
• Youth Employment Training
• Cultural Enrichment Programs
• Adventure-based and Experiential Education

Administrative Services

• Community Needs Assessment
• Community Education and Involvement
• Resource and Program Development
• Advocacy

Ten to sixteen (10-16) programs each year are designed to fill the gaps in services or enhance existing services. Services range in scope and focus. Positive Youth Development group programs are designed to build skills and competencies of young people, nurture the pursuit of their goals and aspirations, and strengthen family, peer, school, and community connections. The Climbing Team, Peer Education, Dancing Stars, Skills to Pay the Bills, and Lunch Buddies are some of these programs offered annually. Mental Health Services respond to youth and families who are experiencing emotional distress related to significant losses or trauma. Some of these services include family counseling, young men’s and young women’s issues groups, and Bananas Split Too! Child welfare programs assist and empower families to meet basic needs and maintain a supportive family environment; these include application assistance and case management, Parent and Community Efforts (PACE), back-to-school supplies, and holiday gift giving coordination. Programs aim to reduce barriers to accessing services such as financial hardship, lack of access to behavioral health providers, and lack of transportation. All of the program leaders continuously strive for cultural competency. Please see our program listing for seasonal offerings of programs.

Positive social development groups and educational support groups are offered in schools, neighborhoods and at the Youth and Family Services Conference Center located at 51 High Street. Counseling services are primarily hosted at the center. Home visits can be arranged based on need and available resources.

An advocate will take information over the telephone and research or recommend appropriate services available within the area. Youth Services may provide counseling services after exhausted all resources available to them have been exhausted. Youth Services is not a licensed mental health child guidance clinic and does not evaluate young people to determine a medical diagnosis.

Children and their guardians who reside in Bristol. Children must be under the age of 18 years or enrolled in a school program and under 21 years. Parents with children under the age of 5 years may be referred to an agency specializing in early childhood.

There is no cost for Bristol residents.

For groups and counseling, call and ask to speak with an advocate. For application assistance or coordination of welfare needs, ask to speak with the program assistant.

The Youth Commission is an 11-member board made up of youth, consumers / parents, school, police, youth agency representatives, and a City Council liaison. Commission members are appointed by the City Council to study continuously the conditions and needs of youth and make recommendations to the mayor and the city council regarding the programs and policies available to serve those needs.