OUR MISSION
Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) empowers youth in our community to find their way through social-emotional support and by building safe, accepting communities.
OUR VISION
All youth are emotionally healthy, empowered with the tools and knowledge to face life’s challenges.
OUR VALUES
Diversity, integrity, respect, and highest professional standard.
OUR HISTORY
Founded in 1975, ACS currently implements four core programs in Santa Clara and San Mateo County communities:
- Community Counseling Program – Outpatient mental health assessment, treatment and education for teens and their families in the general community and at local Boys and Girls Clubs of the Peninsula
- Adolescent Substance Addiction Treatment Program – A harm reduction outpatient treatment program providing treatment to teens and families struggling with drug and/or alcohol abuse, as well as community prevention education
- Outlet – A program serving Bay Area Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Questioning (LGBTQ+) teens, families, and supportive allies with support group counseling, leadership training, and education in both Spanish and English.
- On-Campus Counseling Program – Bilingual on-site individual and family counseling, crisis intervention, mental health education, and support at no cost to students/families attending local middle and high schools
ACS provides Silicon Valley youth with direct and timely access to often life-saving professional mental health services, support, and treatment. Over the past 49 years, the agency has served hundreds of thousands of children and their family members, primarily exceeding all measurable objectives. Youth in our programs ended their use of drugs and alcohol, increased their grades, decreased their feelings of stress, depression and isolation, and increased their psycho-social functioning.
WHO WE SERVE
Adolescent Counseling Services (ACS) exists to support the wellbeing of all teens, tweens, and young adults ages 5-25 in Santa Clara and San Mateo Counties. ACS’ network of skilled family therapists and professionally-led support groups are resources that youth and their families can rely on time and again for help with life’s challenges, be they big or small.
In the 2022-2023 school year, ACS has served over 15,000 individuals with direct services, outreach, and education.