Youth and Family Services
Youth and Family Services Mission
Oak Park Township Youth and Family Services supports programs and services that address youth through the implementation of prevention techniques, crisis intervention, restorative justice, therapeutic involvement, case management and coordination of wraparound services with other community partners and agencies. Youth and Family Services also advocates for programs and services which enhance the social/emotional development of youth and their families. Youth and Family Services is committed to promoting positive opportunities for youth and families and to helping the youth and their families access needed services.
Prescription Collection Site now at Oak Park Township Safe prescription and drug disposal box
Oak Park Township Prevention Services in the Youth and Family Services Department is pleased to announce its partnership with the Cook County Sheriff’s office to have a prescription take back box. Drop off expired, unused, and wanted medications for safe disposal anytime in the Oak Park Township parking lot. Please remember that sharps and liquids CAN NOT be collected.
The prescription take back box is located at 105 S. Oak Park Avenue, in the back left corner of the parking lot, next to the blue bench.
Youth Engagement Program
The Youth Engagement Program offers a variety of free services to support the mental health and wellness of youth ages 6-18. If you've experienced a crisis or trauma, are feeling anxious or depressed and/or aren't sure where to start, our Youth Engagement staff are trained to assist you. The Youth Engagement Team provides individual counseling and group counseling to assist if you are experiencing any of the following:
- Anxiety/Depression
- Behavioral Challenges
- Crisis/Trauma
- Gang Involvement
- And other stressors
We also have a mentoring program designed to support you in identifying and achieving your goals. Please click here to fill out a referral form.
Youth Engagement Program Announced; Effective July 1st, 2022
Youth and Family Services Director Megan Traficano is pleased to announce the new Youth Engagement Program (formerly known as the Youth Interventionist Program) in the Youth and Family Services Department for Oak Park and River Forest Townships. The Youth Engagement Program (YEP) will focus on individual mental health counseling for youth, community engagement with youth and partner agencies and provide youth mentoring as needed. The name change was a collaboration between the Oak Park Township Board of Trustees, River Forest Township Board of Trustees, Youth and Family Services staff members, the Youth and Family Services Committee and several community partners. Jonathan Brown, Youth Engagement Program Manager stated “We decided on naming the program Youth Engagement Program because the word ‘Engagement’ represents the Community Outreach focus, the Mentoring aspect of our program, but most importantly the Mental Health Services that our program provides. While we will always recognize the groundbreaking impact that the Interventionist program had within this community for nearly three decades, our goal in Youth and Family Services is to continue to focus on the everchanging needs of the youth in the Oak Park and River Forest communities.”
Please click here to read the entire announcement.
Youth and Family Services Hygiene Closet Open for Donations and Distribution
DONATIONS NEEDED! Youth and Family Services of Oak Park and River Forest Township is excited to announce a new Youth Initiative! The Youth and Family Services Team has opened a Hygiene Closet where youth can come and get basic personal care and hygiene supplies for FREE! We are currently seeking donations of products; please click here for more details and a list of items that are being accepted. Please drop all items off at the Oak Park Township Office at 105 S. Oak Park Avenue weekdays between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Questions about donations or picking up items? Please call Youth and Family Services at 708-445-2727 or email youth@oakparktownship.org.
All products must be new, sealed or unopened. We will accept travel or regular sizes.
Scholarships
We offer Financial Assistance Scholarships (FAS) for youth, to assist them in participating in activities and/or programs they are financially unable to access. Funds can be used for costs relating directly to registration and participant fees only.
The following link has the Application, Guidelines and Income Verification forms for Fiscal Year 2023. Please see the explanation for each section below.
FY 2023 Financial Assistance Scholarships Forms
PLEASE NOTE:
For financial assistance for Park District of Oak Park programs, please visit https://www.pdop.org/registration/scholarships/.
For OPRFHS Summer Sports Camps: contact Dr. Nicholas Browder via email at NBrowder@oprfhs.org or call (708) 434-3500.
For further questions and additional assistance, please contact the Youth and Family Services Department by using the "Contact Us" form or call (708) 445-2727. NOTE: During the COVID-19 Health Emergency, please call 708-445-2727 to reach a member of the Youth and Family Services team.
Contractors
In an effort to facilitate positive experiences for the youth of Oak Park and River Forest, Oak Park and River Forest Townships contract with more than 20 agencies annually, offering more than 50 educational and recreational programs that engage young residents. Opportunities include after-school homework help, to peer support for substance abuse, and job readiness skill-building, and offer a wide variety of learning experiences for children of all ages.
Our all-volunteer Youth and Family Services Committee, consisting of Oak Park and River Forest residents, advises the Township Boards with funding recommendations based on available funds and addressing the unique needs of youth in the middle adolescence as they approach transition periods that may derail their progress and ultimate success.
Fiscal Year 2024 Contracts
Contract applications for Fiscal Year 2024 (April 1st, 2023 - March 31st, 2024) are being accepted.
If you are interested in contracting with us, please download the FY 2024 Contract Request Form and Guidelines and the FY 2024 Funding Request Details. Please submit completed forms by email to Jacob Matson at jmatson@oakparktownship.org on or before 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 13, 2023.
For more information or assistance, please call Youth and Family Services at 708-445-2727.
A list of the programs funded for Fiscal Year 2023 (April 1st, 2022 - March 31st, 2023) is available in the PDF document below.
For more information, please use the "Contact Us" form, or call Youth and Family Services at 708-445-2727.
Reports
2023
2022
2021
2020