"While we try to teach our children about life, our children teach us what life is all about".
- Angela Schwindt
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions:
Why choose AYFS?
AYFS is committed to family-centered interventions and culturally sound practices designed with short-term milestones and long-term independence as a goal. Transfer of appropriate skills and connection with natural supports is encouraged and embedded within the service delivery. The AYFS staff is culturally sensitive and recognizes the value of diversity as a source of strength in the recovery process.
Where are you located?
We are centrally located at 3707 North 7th Street, Suite 200, Phoenix, Arizona, 85014
What are your hours?
Our office is open Monday - Friday 8am-5pm.
AYFS Office is closed on the following days:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day
- President's Day
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Veteran's Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- The day after Thanksgiving
- Christmas Day
How can I get to your office?
You can reach us using bus routes along 7th Street and Indian School Rd.
We are located 0.8 miles away from Osborn and Central Light Rail stop and Indian School and Central Light Rail Stop.
Which health plans are you contracted with for the AHCCCS Complete Care Program?
Arizona Youth & Family Services, Inc. is contracted with all AHCCCS Complete Care health plans. Those plans are as follows:
- Arizona Complete Health (formerly Health Net Access)
- Care1st Health Plan
- Banner-University Family Care
- Magellan Complete Care
- Mercy Care
- Steward Health Choice Arizona (formerly Health Choice AZ)
- United Healthcare Community Plan
How do I schedule a counseling session?
Call us during office hours at 602-277-4833 and ask to speak to an intake specialist. Intake appointments are offered within 7 business days of the initial call.
What are the counseling fees?
Arizona Youth & Family Services, Inc. provides services to patients enrolled in Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS). Arizona Youth & Family Services, Inc. does not accept private insurance at this time. If you or your child is enrolled with AHCCCS, AYFS will not collect any fees from you.
Do you offer emergency assistance?
If you have an behavioral health emergency, please call:
Behavioral health crisis hotline (24-hours a day)
- 602-222-9444 or toll free 1-800-631-1314
- TTY 1-800-327-9254
If you need immediate assistance, please call: 9-1-1
How can out-of-town family members make a referral for services?
The child's guardian must reside in Maricopa County in Arizona but feel free to call our office at 602-277-4833 and we will help coordinate other services if needed.
Do you have volunteer, practicum or internship opportunities?
At this time, we are not offering any volunteer, practicum, or internship opportunities.
What is behavior coaching?
AYFS is a Meet Me Where I Am (MMWIA) direct service provider. The program is voluntary, time-limited, and designed to address behaviors that are putting a child's placement at risk. The goal of the program is to prevent hospitalization, reduce the need of higher levels of care, or to assist a child in transitioning to a lower level of care (e.g. from foster care back to biological family). Our program provides in-home, school, and community services that embrace the Child and Family Team (CFT) and Arizona Practice models. A Behavioral Health Technician (BHT), also called a Behavior Coach, works one-on-one with children, collaborates with caregivers, and works in partnership with CFT members. AYFS behavior coaching follows a Positive Behavioral Support model for service delivery thus incorporating strength-based, family-focused, culturally sensitive, and behaviorally driven interventions.
How can I get behavior coaching?
Admission Requirements:
- Children who are enrolled in AHCCCS and are Title XIX.
- The patient must be enrolled with a Quality Service Provider (QSP). Without QSP involvement the patient's placement would be in jeopardy due to problematic behaviors (i.e. noncompliance, physical aggression, severe verbal aggression, AWOL, self-destructive behavior).
- The patient must be enrolled with a Quality Service Provider (QSP). Without QSP involvement the patient's placement would be in jeopardy due to problematic behaviors (i.e. noncompliance, physical aggression, severe verbal aggression, AWOL, self-destructive behavior)
- The patient or family will have a Child and Family Team in place.
- The patient must meet age requirement along with behavioral health needs.
- The patient and family will participate voluntarily in services provided by Arizona Youth & Family Service, Inc.
- At time of referral or intake, Arizona Youth & Family Services, Inc. will decline services to a patient who is actively "Danger to Self" or "Danger to Others" as assessed by a licensed behavioral health professional. If a patient becomes DTS or DTO while receiving services, the program will continue to provide service and will assist the QSP and/or Crisis Team in having the patient assessed at an Urgent Care or behavioral health center. Arizona Youth & Family Services, Inc. may also decline services if the program is at capacity.
How can I get STARSS service?
STARSS is an in-home and community-based direct support program for consumers ranging in age from 0 - 17. Services are aimed at the assessment and immediate stabilization of acute symptoms of mental illness and emotional distress or in response to acts of abuse/neglect. The program is organized and staffed to provide the availability of services 24/7 (medical necessity must be indicated) for a limited duration (30 - 90 days) to stabilize acute behavioral symptoms, evaluate treatment needs, and develop plans to meet the needs of the persons served.
The purpose of the STARSS Program is to assess for services upon transition and support the high intensity/high need client who has an immediate need for services and support to remain in their home environment. The goal is to utilize direct data/observations, assessment tools, and psycho-education to establish a behavior plan that is transferable to the longer-term provider.
Guidelines for Referrals:
- Must meet criteria for a MMWIA referral AND
- Have shown repeated or extended use of crisis services or police department; Danger to Others (DTO) and/or Danger to Self (DTS) behaviors; multiple hospitalizations or incarcerations in 90 days; and/or is at immediate risk for disruption of living environment without support.
- Parent or guardian has expressed an interest and ability to engage with STARSS service providers and program goals.
- HNCM Clinical Director has assessed and approved the appropriateness of need and the referral for the STARSS program (not in lieu of MMWIA services).
What to Expect:
- Once a referral has been accepted into the STARSS program, the STARSS Coordinator will make contact with the family within 24 hours, an intake will be conducted in 1-2 business days and support services will begin immediately (dependent on availability of the family and client).
- At 30-45 days, initial assessments will be completed, and a preliminary behavior plan will have been established including recommendations for support services to engage with and referrals to be made before the 90-day mark.
- After 45-60 days of stabilization, the client and family will begin the transition phase, which will include collaborating with the agencies that will continue to carry out the behavior plan, if appropriate.
- At 60-90 days, the case will transition to the next provider and capacity opens for a new STARSS referral.
Do you have any job openings?
Please click here for any available job openings. AYFS strives to have our workforce reflect the population we serve; therefore, bilingual individuals are encouraged to apply.
How do I refer to your services?
To schedule an initial intake or appointment or reschedule an appointment, call our main office line: 602-277-4833 Monday- Friday 8am- 5pm
What services do you offer?
- In-home Coaching Services: developing and implementing interventions to address various client needs within the family culture
- Medication Services: offering psychiatric evaluations, medication management and monitoring to assist in emotional and behavioral stabilization.
- Transition from Hospital or Detention Facilities: helping in discharge planning and implementation of necessary interventions to aid in transition.
- Functional Behavioral Assessment: an observation and problem-solving process for identifying client needs.
- Transportation: facilitating client and family needs in order to promote attainment of service goals.
- Case Management: collaborate with families to plan and coordinate services to meet an individual's and family's comprehensive needs, assist in resourcing with the community, clinical care coordination between resources within and outside the agency.
- Independent Living Skills: aiding in the transition to adulthood through various ILS skill-building activities.
- Crisis Management: identification of an efficient crisis plan thus reducing the need for crisis team involvement through proactive planning and intervention
- Crisis Management: identification of an efficient crisis plan thus reducing the need for crisis team involvement through proactive planning and intervention
- School-based Services: developing and aiding teaching staff in the utilization of effective interventions to address problematic behaviors.
- Parenting Support: psycho-educational focus and support on increasing positive parenting.
- Community Outings: social skill building and support in public settings.
- Counseling Services: providing individual, family, and group counseling focused on family/relational issues, trauma, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, substance abuse and co-occurring disorders
Are there opportunities to donate to AYFS?
AYFS is not accepting any donations at this time.
How long has AYFS been serving the community?
AYFS has served children and families in Maricopa County since 2005.