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.

California Youth Services (CYS) was established as a nonprofit organization in 2004, building on the success of the Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Education (JADE) Program, which began serving Orange County youth in 2002. As community needs evolved, CYS expanded its continuum of services to include mental health counseling, family support, prevention programs, and school based interventions. Today, CYS works in partnership with schools, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations to provide a comprehensive continuum of prevention, intervention, counseling, and family support services.

Each year, CYS directly serves more than 2,000 youth and family members through counseling, prevention, intervention, education, and drug testing programs. An additional 3,000 community members are reached through school presentations, outreach events, resource fairs, prevention campaigns, and community partnerships. With offices in Laguna Hills and Tustin, CYS remains committed to strengthening families, promoting healthy choices, and ensuring every young person has access to the support they need to build a healthier future.

California Youth Services believes that every young person deserves the opportunity to build a healthy, successful future. By identifying concerns early and connecting youth and families with the right support, CYS helps prevent small challenges from becoming lifelong barriers.

Every day, CYS works with schools, parents, law enforcement, and healthcare providers across Orange County to help youth make healthier choices, strengthen family relationships, and stay engaged at home, in school, and in their communities. Early intervention gives young people the opportunity to change direction before problems become more serious.

The impact of CYS extends beyond the individuals we serve. Stronger families contribute to safer schools, healthier communities, and a brighter future for Orange County. Through prevention, intervention, and counseling, CYS continues to help youth and families build lasting change.

Orange County youth continue to face rising mental health concerns, substance use, and increasing pressures at school and at home. Many families recognize they need help but struggle to find services that are affordable, available, and easy to access before problems become more serious.

While Orange County offers treatment and recovery programs, there is still a need for prevention and early intervention. The earlier a young person receives support, the greater the opportunity to improve family relationships, stay connected in school, and avoid more intensive services later.

Schools and community partners continue to seek programs that provide practical support without removing students from their daily lives. California Youth Services helps fill that gap by providing prevention programs, counseling, parent education, and intervention services that meet youth where they are.

Continued investment in CYS helps more families receive support when they need it most. By keeping services affordable and expanding access across Orange County, we can reach more youth before challenges become lifelong barriers.

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

As Executive Director of California Youth Services, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve Orange County's youth and families alongside an incredible team of staff, volunteers, and community partners. Every day, we witness the strength and resilience of the young people and families who walk through our doors, and it is a privilege to be part of their journey.

Since becoming a nonprofit organization in 2004, CYS has continued to grow in response to the changing needs of our community. What began with the Juvenile Alcohol and Drug Education (JADE) Program has evolved into a continuum of prevention, intervention, counseling, and family support services. While our programs have expanded, our mission has remained the same, helping youth and families find hope, support, and practical solutions before challenges become lifelong barriers.

One of our greatest strengths is the trust we have built throughout Orange County. We work closely with schools, law enforcement, healthcare providers, and community organizations because no single agency can meet these needs alone. By working together, we can reach youth earlier and provide support when it has the greatest impact.

We know that every family has a different story. Whether someone comes to us for counseling, a prevention program, or help navigating a difficult situation, our goal is to provide a welcoming place where they feel heard and supported. We are committed to making our services accessible so that cost is never the reason a family goes without help.

I want to sincerely thank our board members, staff, volunteers, donors, referral partners, and the many organizations that stand beside us. Your support allows California Youth Services to continue serving youth and families across Orange County, and together we are building a stronger community for the next generation.

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