Office of Youth Development and Adolescent Services (OYDAS)

Over the years, research has found that the majority of youth that remain in the foster care system until they reach the maximum age of 21 ends up either in homeless shelters or in prison. As a result, the Office of Youth Development and Adolescent Services (OYDAS) Unit has focused its efforts on increasing the number of youth discharged prior to their twenty-first birth date utilizing the Preparing Youth for Adulthood (PYA) Program, which is an ACS-approved model of service that is based on the achievement of academic/vocational competence; job readiness, acquisition and maintenance; and access to stable, safe and secure housing for transitioning youth. Through the PYA Program, OYDAS has made great strides in equipping the “at risk” population with critical social and educational services/programs that are necessary tools for successful lives.