YCS Receives $155,000 Grant Renewal to Expand Free Autism Evaluations and Clinician Training
Renewed funding from The Healthcare Foundation supports early autism identification for local families and doctoral-level clinical training.
West Orange, N.J. (July 20, 2026) – Youth Consultation Service (YCS), a leading nonprofit behavioral health and social services agency in New Jersey, announces that the YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health has received a $155,000 renewal grant from The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) to support the second year of its Autism Evaluation, Training and Workforce Development program.
The renewed funding will enable the Institute to continue providing free autism evaluations for children under 5 living in East Orange, Newark, Irvington and Orange while training doctoral-level clinicians to provide autism evaluations and help address the shortage of qualified autism evaluators in the region.
Early identification plays a critical role in helping children access the services and support they need during key stages of development. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends autism-specific screening for all children at 18 and 24 months, and research has shown that early identification and intervention can lead to improved developmental outcomes.
The YCS Institute for Infant and Preschool Mental Health is dedicated to advancing infant and early childhood mental health through clinical services, professional training, consultation and research. Through the Autism Evaluation, Training and Workforce Development program, the Institute expands access to timely autism evaluations for local families while strengthening New Jersey's behavioral health workforce through specialized clinical training.
"Early identification can make a meaningful difference in a child's development, but too many families face barriers to accessing timely autism evaluations," said Christina Colón, LPC, IMH-E, VP of Early Childhood and Community Programming. "We're grateful to The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey for its continued partnership, which allows us to continue providing free autism evaluations for local families while preparing the next generation of clinicians to meet the growing need for autism diagnostic services."
In addition to free autism evaluations, the Institute provides a range of specialized services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, older children, adolescents, and their caregivers. Services include developmental screenings, individual and family therapy, caregiver guidance, and other evidence-based interventions that strengthen parent-child relationships and support healthy emotional, social, and cognitive development across childhood and adolescence.
Families and child-serving providers in East Orange, Newark, Irvington and Orange may schedule a free autism evaluation by calling (973) 395-5500 or emailing institute@ycs.org.
To learn more about YCS and its services, visit www.ycs.org.
About Youth Consultation Service (YCS)
Youth Consultation Service (YCS) is a leading nonprofit behavioral health and social services agency that has supported New Jersey’s most vulnerable children, young adults, and families for more than 100 years. With over 70 programs across 16 counties, YCS provides a full continuum of therapeutic care, including residential placements, special education, and community-based services, touching the lives of over 3,500 individuals annually. Through its dedicated team of more than 1,000 professionals, YCS partners with at-risk children and adults with developmental disabilities to build happier, healthier, and more hopeful lives within their families and communities.