About Youth and Family Advocates (YFA)
Youth and Family Advocates, Inc. (YFA) is the leading voice, resource, and advocate for the 6,000+ children we serve annually in our seven-county area, providing help for today and hope for tomorrow. YFA is a non-profit, community-based organization, designated as a 501(c)3 entity. We are here to elevate and protect the voices and rights of those we proudly serve.
Family is our middle name
Our empowered team provides public policy initiatives, child welfare case management, prevention, and other essential services that make a profound, positive impact on the youth and families we serve. Our programs and services are funded by local, state, and federal governments; corporate and non-profit partners; and individuals who support our mission.
YFA’s Mission and Vision
YFA is committed to working in partnership with communities and our families to create a safe, nurturing environment for children. YFA is progressive and leads the way in building a bridge for children to have a stable and loving family.
Our Values
INSPIRATION: We create services that are life changing and exceed expectations with a creative sense of purpose.
INTEGRITY: We believe in demonstrating a strong sense of moral principles to always do the 'right thing'.
IMPACTFUL: We make a difference in everything we do. We leave a lifelong impression on those we serve.
INTEGRATED: We join 'together' as one team to create a culture of wholeness to provide cohesive care to all.
INNOVATION: We lead the way in developing new, exciting & creative approaches in everything we do.
YFA History
Founded as Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. in 1970, YFA is an integral part of the fabric of Central Florida. YFA was initially created to serve as a ‘drop-in center’ in Pasco County for local children in crisis due to child abuse and neglect, drug use, truancy, runaways, and teen pregnancy.
Our passion for and commitment to the communities and their children and families has remained steadfast, and we have built a strong network of supportive community relationships, collaborations, and partnerships. The purpose and role of YFA has and continues to be service to children and families in crisis, providing support and programs that encourage healing, restoration, and success for those we serve.
YFA Through the Years
The 1970’s
Youth and Family Alternatives, Inc. was incorporated to meet the needs of vulnerable members of the community and opened a ‘drop-in center’ in New Port Richey, serving local children in crisis due to child abuse and neglect, drug use, truancy, runaways, and teen pregnancy.
The 2010’s
This decade was busy, with YFA implementing Caring Schools Community (CSC), a school-based substance abuse prevention program in seven (7) Pasco County schools and beginning Stop Now And Plan (SNAP) in Polk County. We also implemented the Community Partnership School (CPS) framework in partnership with the University of Central Florida (UCF), Premier Community Health Care, and Gulfside Elementary School, a Title I school in Pasco County. YFA became the single case management and adoption services provider for Hernando and Citrus counties. YFA wrapped up this decade by purchasing land and building Speer, a six (6) unit apartment building providing supportive housing to developmentally disabled adults.
The 1980’s
YFA received an appropriation by the Florida legislature to start a runaway shelter, Runaway Alternative Program (RAP), in Pasco County.
The 1990’s
YFA opened a centralized intake and non-residential services for Children in Need of Services/Families in Need of Services, CINS/FINS in Pasco and Polk Counties before expanding these services into Citrus and Sumter Counties. A second youth crisis shelter, originally named Cornerstone and now known as the George W. Harris Youth Shelter (GWHYS), was opened in Bartow, Polk County.
The 2000’s
YFA opened our third youth crisis shelter, New Beginnings Youth Shelter (NBYS), in Brooksville, Hernando County. Foster Care and Adoption case management services to high and imminent risk youth and families were started in Pasco County, followed by Adoption case management services in Sumter, Hernando, Marion, Citrus and Lake Counties.
The 2020’s
YFA was awarded the Basic Centers Grant for New Beginnings Youth Shelter, RAP, and the George W. Harris Youth Shelter. Stop Now And Plan (SNAP) services expanded to Pasco County. And in 2025, YFA changed its name from Youth and Family Alternatives to Youth and Family Advocates to better represent our mission.
