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History/Background
Founded in 1970, the Central Texas Youth Services Bureau, Inc. (dba Central Texas Youth Services), is a community-based, nonprofit organization that has continuously served troubled children, youth and families throughout Central Texas. Any emotional or behavioral problem is addressed for any child/youth age 7 to 17. Parents and siblings of the child are always included for provision of services.
Problems addressed by CTYS included, but not limited to, juvenile delinquency, juvenile crime, runaway (including "throwaways" and "pushouts"), abandonment, adolescent pregnancy, abuse/neglect, substance abuse, emotional problems, family conflict, STD's, rape, peer conflict, school, gang, etc.
CTYS is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors representing the communities served. Residential and outreach services are provided by a staff of thirty-five employees in ten offices throughout the eight Central Texas counties of Bell, Coryell, Lampasas, Milam, Falls, McLennan, Limestone and Freestone, including one emergency shelter in Killeen, Texas.
In 1977, a licensed emergency shelter and assessment center, Option House, was opened to provide care for runaway, abandoned, and otherwise homeless children and youth. In 1981, the shelter was moved to the City of Killeen, and the current facility, located at 601 Parmer Street, was built in 1994.
In October, 2000 CTYS began a local effort of the national project Safe Place in Bell and Coryell counties. This is a program that offers protection and a place where someone can get help quickly.
As CTYS looks to the future, it is with the vision that we will, one day, be able to assist every child, youth and family in Central Texas who needs our services. We believe that we cannot turn our backs on our most valuable, and most vulnerable, resource - our children, our future!