California Youth Services

The mission of California Youth Services (CYS) is to provide education, assessment, crisis intervention and counseling that assist families to address life’s challenges related to substance abuse, academic challenges, behavioral and mental health struggles.

While CYS has only existed as its own nonprofit entity since 2011, our history goes back to 2002 when current Executive Director Margie Diaz worked with County divisions and doctors to offer the Juvenile Alcohol & Drug Education (JADE) Program. Over the next several years, CYS grew into a fiscally sponsored project of the Boys & Girls Club of Tustin, adding juvenile delinquency prevention and intervention, as well as counseling services for at-risk youth. CYS also began partnering with school districts to offer similar programs at schools for students. While these expansions maintained clear focus on the needs of at-risk youth, CYS realized that many clients were returning for services well into college, necessitating an expansion of its primary target ages of 12 to 17. Also, youth who were coming to CYS programs often faced a host of other mental health and behavioral needs. To address these issues, in 2010, CYS established a counseling center open to youth and community members of any age. During that year, attendance at CYS programs grew 20%, and demand has continued to grow. Since 2010, CYS has served more than 100,000 youth, parents, and community members through prevention and intervention education, school-based programs, its Pathways Community Counseling Center, and community outreach. Today, CYS is a multi-service 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization impacting 2,000 individuals each year through offices in Laguna Hills and Tustin and several program sites across Orange County. Our staff work not only with youth at risk for substance abuse and delinquent behavior, but also with individuals and families in need of mental health services. Services include the following programs offered in English and Spanish:
Juvenile Alcohol & Drug Education (JADE), several Orange County school district programs such as Project Intervention and New Beginning, CYS offers drug testing, and Pathways Community Counseling Center. CYS also conducts outreach seminars as requested by school administration, as well as community education/prevention forums in collaboration with other agencies and organizations.

California Youth Services (CYS) provides comprehensive substance use prevention, early intervention, and family support services for at-risk youth and families throughout Orange County. Through an integrated service model that combines prevention education, individual and group counseling, accountability measures, and ongoing follow-up support, CYS addresses both substance use and the underlying mental health and behavioral challenges that place youth at risk.

On average each year, CYS serves more than 2,000 youth and family members through core programs including Pathways Counseling, Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Education (JADE), Alternative to Suspension (ATS), monitored drug testing, and post-program follow-up services. CYS delivers approximately 1,900 counseling sessions annually, expanding access to individual therapy, teen group therapy, and parent/adult support groups. As a result, nearly 90% of participants improve coping skills, over 80% demonstrate increased emotional regulation, and approximately 90% report stronger family communication.

Prevention and education programs reach an average of 675 teens and parents each year, with the majority of youth increasing their understanding of substance use risks and learning practical strategies to make healthier decisions. School-based interventions consistently lead to improved attendance and reduced disciplinary incidents, while accountability tools such as drug testing support positive behavioral change and help youth resist peer pressure.

By integrating evidence-informed practices, 12-step philosophy, culturally responsive counseling, and bilingual services, California Youth Services delivers measurable, long-term outcomes that strengthen families, reduce risk behaviors, and promote resilience. CYS remains committed to accessibility, prevention, and sustained success for youth and families across Orange County.

Youth and families in Orange County face growing challenges related to substance use, mental health, and social development. Increased social anxiety, academic pressure, school disengagement, and exposure to emerging substances—combined with reduced in-person socialization and heightened digital influence—have placed many youth at greater risk. Families often struggle to navigate these challenges while accessing affordable, timely, and culturally responsive support.

While Orange County has many treatment and recovery resources, there remains a critical gap in prevention and early intervention services that address risky behaviors before they escalate into more serious substance use or mental health crises. Without accessible education, counseling, and accountability supports, youth are more likely to experience academic failure, disciplinary consequences, strained family relationships, and long-term behavioral health issues.

Demand for counseling and group-based services continues to rise, particularly for bilingual and family-centered care. Many families seeking support face financial barriers, language barriers, or long wait times, limiting their ability to access services when early intervention is most effective. Schools and community partners increasingly rely on California Youth Services to provide timely, prevention-focused programming that keeps youth engaged, accountable, and supported without removing them from their educational environment.

California Youth Services meets this urgent need by offering affordable, prevention-based programs that combine education, individual and group counseling, parent support, and ongoing follow-up. Continued investment is essential to expand access, reduce financial barriers, and ensure youth and families receive early, effective support that strengthens resilience, prevents escalation, and promotes long-term well-being.

CYS proudly serves residents living in Orange County as well as surrounding areas.

As we move into 2026, California Youth Services (CYS) proudly reflects on more than two decades of service to youth, families, and the greater Orange County community. What began as our pioneer program, Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Education (JADE), has grown into a trusted leader in substance use prevention, education, and early intervention—supporting individuals and families through some of life’s most challenging moments.

One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is the strong collaborative relationships CYS has built across Orange County. Our partnerships with schools and school districts, law enforcement agencies, community organizations, universities, and fellow nonprofits allow us to address complex issues affecting youth and families in a comprehensive and effective way. These collaborations strengthen our ability to respond early, intervene appropriately, and support long-term success.

Through our prevention efforts, we have learned that substance use is often connected to broader challenges impacting mental health, behavior, relationships, and academic achievement. In response, CYS developed high-quality, evidence-informed programs that address the whole person. Our Pathways Community Counseling Center provides individual and group counseling services to youth, adults, and families, helping to prevent and address concerns such as depression, anxiety, school refusal, bullying, grief and loss, and family conflict. Pathways was intentionally designed to serve individuals of all ages, recognizing that healing and prevention extend beyond adolescence.

Alongside Pathways, CYS continues to offer substance use prevention and intervention programs including JADE, school-based education, monitored drug testing, community outreach, and follow-up support services. We remain committed to expanding access to culturally responsive, bilingual services and adapting our programs to meet emerging needs facing today’s youth and families. We also continue to explore opportunities to reintroduce legal awareness programming for first-time youth offenders as circumstances allow.

At its core, CYS exists to help people navigate difficult moments and find support before challenges escalate into crises. We are honored to be a place families can turn to for guidance, accountability, and care.

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to our partners, supporters, donors, and the many nonprofits working alongside us. Together, we are strengthening our community and protecting our most vulnerable.

Many blessings,

Margie Diaz, LCSW
Executive Director
California Youth Services

As Board President of California Youth Services (CYS), I am proud to support an organization that has become a trusted leader in substance use prevention, early intervention, and family support throughout Orange County. CYS continues to demonstrate its commitment to strengthening youth, families, and communities through thoughtful, evidence-informed programs that address both immediate concerns and long-term well-being.

What distinguishes CYS is its comprehensive approach. By integrating prevention education, individual and group counseling, accountability measures, and follow-up support, CYS meets youth and families where they are and provides meaningful pathways toward positive change. The organization’s ability to evolve in response to emerging challenges—while remaining grounded in its mission—speaks to its strong leadership and dedicated staff.

The Board of Directors is deeply committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability and impact of California Youth Services. We actively support responsible governance, strategic growth, and the cultivation of partnerships that expand access to services for those most in need. Our role is to uphold the organization’s mission while strengthening its capacity to serve current and future generations.

On behalf of the Board, I extend my sincere gratitude to the staff, volunteers, community partners, donors, and supporters who make this work possible. Together, we are creating a safer, healthier future for youth and families across Orange County.

Sincerely,

Carlos Aguilar
Board President
California Youth Services