Youth & Family

Our Mission

Bowie Youth & Family Services (BYFS) provides a welcoming environment for families in crisis and families who are seeking counseling services. The agency's counselors are not only experienced in family therapy but also implement and coordinate a variety of groups, both educational and therapeutic, as well as community outreach services, and other school-based services. 

BYFS affirms and promotes the dignity and inherent worth of our community and clientele regardless of race, religion, gender identity sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and physical and mental ability.

BYFS further acknowledges that racism is embedded in society and impacts the mental health outcomes of those we serve. Therefore, we work to achieve racial equity to heal wounds of injustice and victimization in client outcomes. 

We believe...

All families should have equal access to educational and mental health services with the goal of race no longer being a predictor of mental health outcomes in our community.  

All individuals have strengths and dignity and deserve to be treated with respect regardless of race, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and physical and mental ability.  

Effective parenting is crucial to the success of children and opportunities must be provided within the community for youth and families to grow and be successful.

Experience

Counselors have extensive experience and strong educational backgrounds, plus high levels of training in family therapy. Educational backgrounds include marriage and family therapy, social work, or counseling psychology. 

Bowie Youth & Family Services is also proud to be selected as a training site by many local universities. This enables us to select two or three interns, from both graduate and undergraduate programs, to work with us in our programming each year. 

Areas of Expertise

• ADHD
• Aggression/Anger
• Bullying
• Delinquent-like behavior
• Depression or anxiety
• Family conflict
• Grief / loss
• Parenting concerns
• Poor decision-making
• Social withdrawal
• School related problems
• Social skills

Our History

Bowie Youth & Family Services (BYFS) was established in 1971 as a youth services bureau to promote positive outcomes for youth, prevent juvenile delinquency, and to help families resolve issues that create tension and conflict. As one of five youth services bureaus in Prince George's County, our defined service population includes families who have children age 18 and under living in the home who live in Bowie or the surrounding communities in Prince George's County.

BYFS is certified by the State of Maryland as a youth services bureau. Families are referred to BYFS from many sources, including: Prince George's County schools, Department of Juvenile Services, health care providers, insurance companies, and family and friends. Staff includes social workers, marriage and family therapists, professional counselors, and an alcohol and drug prevention specialist.