Mission and Vision

Mission

The Mission and Objective are that the Youth Assistance Program serves as early intervention to advocate for youth ages 3-17 facing challenging life circumstances. We take a holistic approach to coordinate our community’s vast array of talents, services, and resources to help youth and empower parents and caregivers.

Vision

The vision of the Youth Assistance Program is proactively building a healthy community for tomorrow by advocating for the youth of today.

History

The Shelby County Youth Assistance Program is a response to a community initiative that began in 2014. The catalyst for development of the program was a proactive approach to servicing the needs of youths in the community following organized discussions involving a range of stakeholders working with youth.

Representatives from Shelby County schools, law enforcement, community corrections, service providers, probation, clergy, and recreation providers participated in regular and ongoing meetings to address community needs.

Through this process, introduction was made to the Hamilton County Youth Assistance Program. This program began in 2009 and was modeled after a program in Oakland, Michigan, which has been serving children and families since 1953.

In 2011, HB1107 was passed with no opposition by both the Indiana House and Senate, and supported by the governor of Indiana leading to the Indiana Code outlining the Early Intervention Program for At-Risk Youth.

Funding

The Shelby County Youth Assistance Program is unique in that it is a public private partnership. The Early Intervention Advocates are employees of Shelby County and report to Shelby County Superior Court I Judge Kent Apsley.

The Shelby County Youth Assistance Program is funded by the City of Shelbyville and Shelby County. SCYAP has also received support from other entities, including City and County Councils, County Commissioners, Mayor of Shelbyville, and the community at large.

Additionally, the Shelby County Youth Assistance Program is a non-profit. This allows us to write for grants, do fundraising, and seek financial support as a nonprofit organization. All funds raised through this avenue go directly to the support of services and service delivery for children and families in the program.

Our mission would not be possible without the true collaborative efforts of all our stakeholders.