About Us

We are National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP).  We have a non-negotiable commitment to do what is best for children, youth and their families and have an abiding faith that every person has an innate ability to learn, grow and develop. We provide opportunities and resources to youth and families through our innovative programs and services, and we strongly support and offer guidance to our dedicated foster parents. We work hard to build community support and advocate with public agencies and officials on behalf of youth and families. We are united by our humanity and enriched by our diversity and are committed to supporting and protecting youth and families and to strengthening the communities we are proud to serve. We are NYAP.

NYAP has provided cost effective, community based services and support to children, youth and families since 1978. We offer flexible, creative, outcome-based solutions to meet the unique needs of the communities we serve and the individual needs of the youth and families involved in our programs and services. 

Since our beginnings as a two person office in Van Wert, Ohio, we have watched the child welfare community evolve from being almost singularly focused on working with children identified as abused, neglected, dependent or delinquent, to the philosophy we have embraced since 1978; that the primary focus must be holistically placed on preserving and unifying families and strengthening the communities they call home. 

This strongly validates the core values of NYAP’s founder, Dr. Mubarak Awad, in 1978 and of everyone associated with NYAP today. Thanks to creative and innovative programs and services, we have the flexibility to tailor our services to meet the needs of the agencies we partner with and the children and families we serve. 
 

Community Affiliations

In addition to the provision of programs and services, NYAP maintains membership in such organizations as The Alliance for Strong Families and Communities, Indiana Association of Resources and Children (IARCA), and the Family Focused Treatment Association (FFTA).  NYAP is recognized by the Child Trauma Academy as a certified provider of NMT, providing neurologically informed trauma competent service provision. NYAP is engaged with social policy and advocacy agendas consistent with our philosophy and mission. NYAP is an active member of the association(s) in each state which represent the interests of private agencies devoted to providing for the safety, permanence and well-being of children.

NYAP is engaged with social policy and advocacy agendas consistent with our philosophy and mission. NYAP is an active member of the association in each state in which we operate which represent the interests of private agencies devoted to providing for the safety, permanence and well-being of children.