Halloween Fun at YSB!

Halloween Fun at YSB!

On October 28th the YSB supported Prevent Child Abuse Randolph County and their laundry project. Through this trunk or treat event they worked to raise money to provide free laundry services to families in need. A special thanks to Marsi Dow for representing the YSB and Healthy Families Program at this event!

On October 29th, the YSB participated in the As-BOO!-ry 2023 event at the Asbury Church in Portland. At the event PJ Corwin, Emperor Palpatine, Camden Corwin, Darth Vader, and our lovely assistant Jenna Corwin passed out candy to roughly 400 attendees! The force was definitely with us on this day!

The YSB participated in the Portland merchants trick or treat on October 31st. Elyse was representing the YSB and the Safe Place Program at this event. Elyse and her assistant passed out approximately 800 packages of M&M’s with Safe Place information attached to them.

Thanks to everyone who helped with these fun and successful halloween events!

As-BOO!-ry 2023 event at the Asbury Church in Portland
As-BOO!-ry 2023 event at the Asbury Church in Portland
As-BOO!-ry 2023 event at the Asbury Church in Portland
Portland Merchants Trick or Treat 2023
Portland Merchants Trick or Treat 2023
Portland Merchants Trick or Treat 2023
Randolph County Trunk or Treat

Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse

Activities at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Activities at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Activities at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Activities at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
YSB Table at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
YSB Table at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Activities at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Activities at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Activities at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
Activities at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
YSB Table at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse
YSB Table at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse

The Youth Service Bureau set up a table at the Pinwheel Ride Against Child Abuse on April 15th. This event was an amazing opportunity for youth of all ages to come uptown and enjoy outside activities on a beautiful Saturday. Our table was able to provide adults in the community with an opportunity to learn about the services that the Youth Service Bureau is able to offer while youth decorated the sidewalks to bring awareness of child abuse!

Linda Ashman: Caseworker!

Linda Ashman has worked with YSB since 1998. Linda has worked in many different programs within YSB. She has been a faithful Homemaker in the Homebased Family Services Program since April 2011. As a Homemaker, Linda works one on one with children and families that are a part of the Department of Child Services. Linda works with the families to help provide resources and services to help children to be able to be reunified with parents or to help prevent removal from occurring. Linda has provided exceptional services to her families by going the extra mile with every case. Linda is faithful and puts her whole heart into the services that she provides.

Due to the experience and time that Linda has served at YSB, the Department of Child Services granted a waiver for Linda to provide a higher level of service as a Caseworker. During a Homebased staffing on December 8, 2022, Linda was presented with a Caseworker mug by Program Director, Katie Helm. We are excited as Linda continues to be an asset to the Homebased program at YSB.

Thank You!

Hi Alison!

You have been recognized by a DCS team member for being there when it counted!!  We are all so busy and it is hard to keep track, but there are so many times when our Service Providers truly show up when it counted and those are the times that make all the difference.  Thank you for being there for our families and for us when it counted and for truly going above and beyond to provide a meaningful moment.

When it Counted Staff: Alison Strausbaugh

When it Counted Agency: YSBJC

When it Counted Service: Supervised Visitation

When it Counted Moment

“I want to recognize Allison for being there When it Counted!  Alison has worked really amazing with a parent which is not always easy.  This parent has strong opinions about their DCS Case and Alison continues to work with him and support his needs.  Alison is a calming presence in this father’s life!  He trusts her and responds really well to her.  We truly appreciate Alison’s hard work and dedication to this father as well as his little girl.  Thank you so much, Alison!!”

New Home-Based Program Director

I have been a Home-Based Caseworker with The Youth Service Bureau for 7 years. I have recently taken the position of the new Home-Based Program Director. I am beyond excited to take on this new role and continue to build this program in our communities.

I graduated with my Bachelor’s of Social Work from Olivet Nazarene University in 2013. After graduation, I enjoyed working with children at an Autism Clinic, but I desired to work with children and families within the DCS system.

In 2015, I entered into the casework position at YSB where I quickly learned how passionate and caring the YSB agency and workers were for our clients. I enjoy working with all clients from the little children, to teens, to the parents. This program allows us to help our clients take steps to better their situations and for them to realize and achieve their greatest potential.

As Program Director, I am excited to be able to continue working with clients and also to continue building a passionate home-based team so that we may be able to have an even greater impact in our communities. 

Home-Based Family Services are intervention services that work with families involved with DCS or probation. A wide variety of services from Parent-Aid, Casework, Therapy, Supervised Visits, and Family Preservation help preserve intact families and support families as they seek reunification. Strength-based and trauma-informed services help build family resiliency to assist our clients in reaching their greatest potential. 

Katie Helm, YSB Home-Based Program Director

We Would Like To Say Thanks!

We would like to say thanks to the Community Foundation of Randolph County for your generous contribution of $2000.00 for the BASE/Alternative School Program which provides services for youth in Randolph County. The grant was used to purchase sensory items such as Play-Doh, Pop-its, Kinetic Sand, puzzles, and various board games. Students are allowed to play these games during counseling and as a privilege during break times. Youth often benefit from the use of sensory items to promote focus, reduce anxiety, develop fine motor skills/sense of touch, and also encourage language skills. Youth also learn rules/strategies for playing games and also develop strategy/problem-solving skills and collaboration with others as well.

YSB has also utilized grant funds received from CFRC to purchase items of need for 10 youth who actively participate in counseling services and/or have a financial need. Youth were given a pair of shoes, a pair of athletic pants/leggings, and a hygiene set which often included body spray, body wash, and deodorant.

Additionally, a ticket-based incentive system has been implemented this year that rewards positive behavior with food/drink items as well as other non-monetary privileges. Food items/ingredients were purchased with grant funds. Various students are chosen to assist staff and learn some life skills in cooking/cleaning/food preparation. Grant funds allowed us to purchase an electric griddle and Air Fryer. Burgers were grilled with a Portable Grill that was purchased last year due to ongoing contributions from the CFRC.

There are some additional things that have been able to be purchased and utilized for the BASE/Alternative School. We will be creating another post within the coming months to show those things as well. Thanks so much to the Community Foundation of Randolph County for your continued support! We really appreciate it!

– Chris Dubach, Home-based/BASE Program Manager

Home-Based Family Services

What Are Home-Based Family Services?

Unlike the outpatient or residential programs, home-based services seek to work with families in the primary place of need – their own home! Whether working to preserve intact families or train and support them as they seek reunification, home-based workers are equipped to help families reach their greatest potential in a variety of ways.

What Types Of Services Fall Under Home-Based?

Family Preservation Services (FPS) were introduced in 2020 as part of a state-wide initiative to reduce the number of child removals and provide more support to parents in order to keep children safe. Family Preservation provides comprehensive services including the use of evidence-based parenting
models, providing concrete support for families, and intensive safety checking and planning.


Supervised Visitation provides a safe environment for children who have been removed from their home to maintain or improve a healthy relationship with their parent(s). Supervised visits may occur in the home, in public, or in an office setting according to family needs. Home-based workers provide guidance and support for parents to improve their parenting skills and promote healthy bonding with their children.


Home-based Casework and Homemaker/Parent Aid meet a variety of family needs including household management, employment, housing, parent education, mentoring, connecting with resources, transportation assistance, and a variety of other needs. Caseworkers and Homemaker/Parent Aids provide a broad assessment leading to strengths-based, goal-oriented treatment planning.


Home-based Therapy seeks to bring inner healing to children and families. Therapy may address issues such as trauma, substance use/abuse, mental health, and family dynamics. Home-based therapy is provided by Master’s-level clinicians and may occur in the home, public, or office setting.

Where Does YSB Provide Home-Based Services?

Home-based services are offered to families involved with DCS or juvenile probation. YSB Home-based programs are available throughout DCS Region 7 including Adams, Blackford, Delaware, Grant, Jay, Randolph, and Wells Counties along with Henry and Wayne Counties in Region 12. Specific services may be only be available in certain counties due to staffing and caseloads