About Youth Focus

About Youth Focus

In 1971, Youth Focus began providing group home and outpatient counseling services in Guilford County. Over the next several decades, the continuum of services grew to include outpatient counseling and substance use treatment, intensive in-home therapy, therapeutic foster care, medication management, residential substance use treatment, emergency and supportive housing, therapeutic schools, and residential psychiatric treatment.

Our Mission Statement

Helping youth achieve safety, security, and success.

In response to the growing value-based managed healthcare environment and Medicaid reform in North Carolina, Youth Focus merged its behavioral health services with Alexander Youth Network in 2019. Retaining the Alexander name, the newly combined organization became firmly established as the leader in children’s behavioral healthcare in North Carolina.

With this transition, Youth Focus narrowed its services to focus on the needs of the most vulnerable youth in Guilford County, who are at-risk, in crisis, have run away, or are experiencing homelessness. Youth Focus provides needed supportive housing solutions and trauma-informed counseling, so youth receive the help they need today to have hope for the future.

How is Youth Focus Funded?

Youth Focus is funded through a combination of local/state/federal partnerships and private donations. As the funding landscape continues to evolve, we become increasingly dependent on the financial support of the local community we serve. Additionally, many of the funds that Youth Focus brings to Guilford County from state and federal resources require the local community’s investment.

How does Youth Focus serve Guilford County Youth?

Emergency Housing

Free emergency housing for male, female, and gender nonconforming youth ages 11-17 who need temporary safe shelter.

Supportive Housing

Supportive housing for male, female, and gender-nonconforming youth ages 18-21 who are experiencing homelessness in a supervised yet independent living environment. During the program, youth gain needed independent living skills.

Maternity Housing

Supportive housing for pregnant or parenting women between the ages of 16 and 21 who are experiencing homelessness for various reasons. Mothers and their dependent children can live at the house for up to 18 months while working on goals that will allow them to provide a good home for their children.

Safe Place

When teens find themselves in crisis or need a place to stay, they should know how and where to get help. Safe Place provides access to immediate help and supportive resources for youth in need. Safe Place locations are easily recognized by their vibrant yellow signs.

Transitional Living

Youth ages 18-24 who are experiencing homelessness receive rent assistance and support services to help them achieve their educational and professional goals for long-term independence.

Outpatient Counseling

No cost Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) for youth ages 6-24 to address the trauma that often shows as emotional or behavioral difficulty.

Federal Funding

Youth Focus is supported by the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) of the United States (U.S.) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of federal financial assistance award totaling $794,646 (40% of total operating expenses) with 79% of that federal award funded by ACF/HHS. The remaining $1,192,720 (60% of total operating expenses) are funded by non-federal source(s). The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement by, ACF/HHS, or the U.S. Government. For more information, please visit the ACF website, Administrative and National Policy Requirements.”

Our Board of Directors

Stacy James, Board Chair, Shawmut Corp

Eoin O’Sullivan, Finance Chair, Volvo Group North America

Summer Foster, Lanier Law Group

Dr. Carey Williams, Carolina Pediatrics

Melissa Greer, Berkshire and Hathaway Realty

Edgar Cross, First Citizens

Laurie Ford, Vice Chair, Lomonaco Investments

Cynthia Graves, Lived Expertise, Secretary, Witt O’Briens

Dr. Amber Khan, National Board for Certified Counselors 

Mariah Bolin, The Williams Companies, Inc.

Elizabeth Hildago, LT Apparel 

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