Adolescence is a vulnerable stage of human development. Today's youth are growing up in troubled times with deeply troubling realities: drugs, gangs, violence, illiteracy, abuse and disease. There has never been so much freedom, so much information, or so much danger. The Youth Services Division recognizes the dangers and works to overcome these realities.

Youth Partial Care
Youth Partial Care Services are offered in Edison and serve individuals who need intensive behavioral and psychiatric care in an outpatient setting while maintaining in-home and in-community functioning. The service is an adolescent program that serves youth ages 9 to 17. The program serves those who are at risk of psychiatric hospitalization by providing three to five days of treatment each week. These services include psychiatric assessment, medication monitoring, behavior modification, social skills, and education in daily living skills, as well as individual, group and family therapy. Transportation services are provided for all participants.

In-Home Therapy
In-Home Therapy programs are designed to meet the needs of families with youth at risk of out-of-home placement and/or those who have been resistant to traditional outpatient treatment. The in-home component provides a familiar safe environment that helps the therapist observe real situations in order to be able to model healthier and safer parenting behaviors. Several programs that are provided in the four counties range from counseling to psychiatric forensic evaluations.

Case Management
Case Management services provide individuals and their families with a wide range of services, resources and opportunities to enhance coping skills and promote self-sufficiency. Service coordination, supportive counseling, advocacy, linkages and referral services are provided to clients throughout the Diocese.

Mentoring
Mentoring is an opportunity for youth to partner with adults who will support their dreams and goals, and provide a positive role model while sharing activities and experiences. Mentoring programs are provided in Middlesex, Somerset and Hunterdon Counties. A combination of paid and volunteer mentors work with youth experiencing a significant loss, medical problem or difficulty responding to traditional counseling.

Recreation
Recreation Enrichment Programs are provided in the community for at risk youth. The centers which are found in Perth Amboy, Carteret and Bridgewater offer homework assistance, tutoring, specialized sports, group activities, informal youth outreach and counseling. The centers provide a safe alternative environment, as well as positive role models.

Education and Training
Education and Training programs are provided throughout the Diocese and include Parent Education groups, assault prevention workshops for teachers, parents and children, both in the schools and in the community (CAP). Anger management groups and domestic violence groups are also offered.

Visitation
Visitation programs provide supervised visitation and therapeutic visitation to families and youth who are either involved with the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) or Family Court throughout the four counties of the Diocese. Programs provide services to ensure safe visitation between children and their non-custodial parent, or to evaluate family reunification potential.

Planning and Advocacy
The Hunterdon County Inter-Agency Coordinating Council (CIACC) convenes in order to identify resources and needs within the child behavioral health system. They also evaluate provider agencies funded through the Division of Child Behavioral Health Services and facilitate collaboration between provider agencies engaged in working with children evidencing behavioral and/or mental health problems.

School Based Services
Throughout the four counties of the Diocese, counselors provide assessment and referral services, individual and group counseling sessions, crisis intervention, and substance abuse education and testing to school age youth in both private and public schools.

Catholic Charities offers hope and healing through a post abortion counseling and reconciliation program known as Project Rachel. This program offers private and confidential counseling services to the needs of those experiencing post abortion trauma.