For almost 40 years, Alternatives for Youth has provided effective, efficient prevention and early intervention services to adolescents struggling with alcohol, substance use, and behavioral health issues. We deliver these services with compassion utilizing a multi-systemic treatment approach that provides hope and positive outcomes including the personal tools to build the future pathway towards long-term healing.

Alternatives for Youth continues to serve individuals, families, and communities in Colorado during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are offering certified virtual programs currently, with resumption of in-person programs when permitted.

To streamline the intake process, we have collaborated with The Link, which can be contacted 24/7 at (720) 292-2811.

Step 1: Contact The Link and reference referral information to Alternatives for Youth as applicable.

Step 2: The Link will complete your intake assessment and refer you to Alternatives for Youth.

Step 3: Alternatives for Youth will contact you to schedule a virtual program.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Helping teens and families thrive

The mission of Alternatives for Youth is to provide effective and efficient prevention and early intervention services to adolescents struggling with alcohol, substance use, and behavioral health issues. We deliver these services with compassion through a multi-systemic treatment approach with the end goal of providing hope, solutions, and a positive pathway towards healing for adolescents and their families.

AFY iTHRIVE Program

AFY iTHRIVE Youth Program

iTHRIVE

Seven week program for teens (12-17) and families struggling with teen substance use, referred through schools, courts, and self-referrals.  

AFY iWISE Program

AFY iWISE Program

iWISE

For youth (10-20) and parents facing first time youth drug/alcohol offenses, referred through courts, schools and self-referrals.

 

AFY iLEARN program

AFY iLEARN

iLEARN

Science based ted-Talk style presentations for middle school, high school, parents, and community organizations about the effects of alcohol and other drug use on the brain development.  

Partner with us by giving today

Alternatives for Youth (AFY) is a non-profit agency that has been serving at-risk youth and their families for over 35 years in Colorado. Our flagship program is called AFY iTHRIVE, and is an early intervention program for teens 10-20 years of age who are facing drug and alcohol problems. We also offer AFY iWISE (North Metro Youth Division Program) and AFY iLEARN (our psychoeducational presentations for schools, parents, and community groups). Our program also helps the parents and guardians of participating teens.

Donate

Overview of AFY's iTHRIVE Program:

  • AFY’s curricula come from evidence-based, Trauma-Responsive practices recommended by SAMHSA, including Motivational Interviewing (MI), Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Love and Logic, and neuroscience-based psychoeducation from a harm-reduction perspective. Parents and teens attend separate 2-hour, weekly groups over 7 weeks which focus on strengthening relationships and reducing harm caused by substance use.

  • TEEN GROUPS include emotional regulation and distress tolerance skill building, neuroscience, mindfulness training, and activities designed to activate natural brain chemicals such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin, and GABA as an alternative to substance use.

  • PARENT GROUPS include essential didactic teaching with focus on communication skills, conflict resolution, attachment education, basic neuroscience of substance use, all within a confidential setting of a support group.  

  • Cost of the iTHRIVE Program range from $30-$500 based on our sliding scale.

What We've Achieved

  • Serving the community since 1982.

  • Served over 36,000 clients.

  • The AFY iLEARN reached over 6,000 students in one year through school presentations.

  • The AFY iTHRIVE 7 week program administered 100% online currently.

  • The AFY iWISE program held administered online currently.

  • Providing hope and support to countless teens and families for almost 40 years.