The National Youth Advocate Program’s (NYAP) Connect TEENS program, which stands for Teaching Emotional Empowerment and Navigating Self-Control, supports teens who are living with behavioral or mental health conditions, including those involved with the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. We also provide tools and guidance for families to ensure they have the support they need at home to learn and grow.

For many teens, completing daily tasks, such as going to school, managing relationships, or planning for the future can be overwhelming when anxiety, mood disorders, or other symptoms are present. Connect TEENS bridges that gap by creating a structured, supportive environment where teens build critical skills at their own pace. By targeting the heart of behavioral health needs, emotional regulation, and self-management, we empower them to grow in confidence, independence, and resilience.

WHAT WE OFFER

We provide practical support to help teens strengthen emotional regulation, self-control, and essential daily living skills, including:

Group and individual skill-building sessions
Strategies to manage strong emotions
Safety and social awareness to improve decision-making
Academic support and career planning
Independent living and transition-to-adulthood preparation
Coaching to increase confidence and self-advocacy

WHY CONNECT TEENS IS DIFFERENT

Connect TEENS serves youth ages 14–18 with behavioral or mental health conditions, many of whom are navigating child welfare and juvenile justice involvement. What sets our program apart is our commitment to:

Youth-centered skill building - Tailored sessions on emotional regulation, self-control, and daily living skills
Family support & partnership - Comprehensive, practical guidance, communication strategies, and consistent involvement of primary and foster families, as applicable
Future-focused outcomes - Preparing teens for independence, school success, career readiness, and adult life
Positive peer connections - Teens also learn through role-modeling and positive connections with others

WHY THIS MATTERS FOR FAMILIES

Families can often feel they are navigating their teen’s behavioral health needs alone. In addition to the benefits gained from short breaks while teens participate in programming, we support families by helping them understand symptoms, strengthen trust, and build confidence. Together, we celebrate successes and build long-term resilience.

REFERRING TO CONNECT TEENS

Teens facing behavioral health challenges, child welfare involvement, or legal challenges often struggle with independent living tasks that others may experience as routine. Connect TEENS offers:

Individualized emotional regulation training
Practical life skills development for teens with primary mental health challenges
Consistent support and respite for teens and their families
A structured, strengths-based approach that complements therapy and court requirements