IEP Youth Services, Inc. provides residential, social, and psychological services to youth between the ages of 8 and 21. Referrals come from the various youth case management agencies in the State of New Jersey. The referrals are made for many reasons, including abuse, neglect, behavioral issues, addiction or lack of a safe home. IEP Youth Services also serves youth over the age of 18 who have “aged” out of the state’s system of care. Our programs provide a range of services for the youth we work with, but in all cases, IEP provides a safe, nurturing environment, counseling, the resources for self-improvement and life skills.

Project KIN (Kids In Need)
Project KIN was established over 25 years ago, by IEP Youth Services, Inc. to provide services for clients (approximately ages 12-19), who otherwise would not have a safe and appropriate place to live, by placing them in Host Homes in the community. Project KIN can also provide placement outside of the home to clients as an alternative to residential facility placement. This is done by placing these youth in a natural family setting and integrating them into the community. The clients in Project KIN live with a Host family, recruited and trained by IEP. The families are licensed by the Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing. Our Host Home families accommodate the needs of our ever-changing population of adolescents.

Project KIN offers both short-term (up to six months) and long-term (six months through high school graduation) placements. The purpose of short-term placement is to give our client an opportunity to readjust to the community and to family living before establishing himself in a permanent family placement. Long-term placement allows him to develop appropriate bonding with a family, to experience positive interactions, to develop appropriate relationships with peers, and to adjust to both authority and the community. While in Project KIN, clients receive weekly therapy, case management, and life skills training. Overall, Project KIN encourages our clients to become active, positive members of the community.

Step Ahead
Step Ahead was established by IEP Youth Services, Inc. to provide services for up to six male clients (approximately ages 15-18), who have completed an intensive treatment program for youth with sexually inappropriate behaviors and are in need of a step-down from a highly structured residential setting. Step Ahead’s focus is to successfully assist with reintegration into community living while continuing the treatment process. This is accomplished through placement in an IEP Host Home, which is a private home in a local community. Host Families are recruited by IEP, receive intensive training, and are licensed by the Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing.

Step Ahead clients are referred to the New Jersey Children's System of Care (CSOC). While in the program they will reside in one of our host homes and attend an appropriate school setting, in the community. They will receive a complete service package including continued intensive specific treatment, individual therapy, group therapy, art therapy, family therapy (if applicable) and case management. Independent Living Skills will be assessed and Host Home Families and case managers will work with the clients on independent and daily living skills, such as laundry, cooking, applying for jobs, etc.

Step Ahead placement duration is not concretely prescribed and is determined by each client’s individual needs. The purpose of short-term placement is to give the client an opportunity to readjust to the community and to family living before establishing themselves in a permanent family placement. Long-term placement allows the client to develop appropriate bonding with a family, to experience positive interactions, to develop appropriate relationships with peers, and to adjust to community living. Overall, Step Ahead encourages youth to become active, positive members of the community, while following the guidelines of the program and the conditions of probation.

Project Stepping Stone
Project Stepping Stone is designed to foster independent living skills for young adults age 18 and older who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. These young adults attend school and/or work while developing the appropriate independent living skills by residing in a supervised independent living apartment.

Age Groups	Adolescents Adults
Community Services	Basic Needs / Assistance Housing / Shelter Supportive Housing Employment / Training Preparing for Adulthood
Payment Options	DCP&P Contracted Service Free System of Care (CSOCI Medicaid / FlexFunds)

Last Updated: 09/15/22