YSS

What YSS does

YSS (Youth & Shelter Services), legally YSS, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1976 in Ames, Iowa, that delivers a comprehensive continuum of youth and family services across the state. The organization's nearly 40 programs span prevention (school-based mentoring, Kids Club afterschool, Hidden in Plain Sight mobile exhibit, Before It Becomes More opioid prevention), outpatient treatment (counseling and therapy using modalities including EMDR, TF-CBT, MDFT, PCIT, Play Therapy; Virtual IOP), residential treatment (the 70-bed, 50-acre Ember Recovery Campus for ages 12-24), crisis services (Crisis Stabilization, Rosedale emergency shelter), housing (Transitional Living, Rapid Rehousing, Lighthouse Program, Rooftop Gardens workforce program), and post-care supports (Iowa Aftercare Services Network for foster youth aging out, AMP youth council, Post-Secondary Education Retention Program). Service delivery combines in-person clinics across six Iowa locations (Ames headquarters plus Des Moines, Mason City, Marshalltown, Webster City, and Boone) with statewide telehealth/virtual modalities.

Operationally, YSS employs approximately 350 staff, is led by CEO Andrew Allen (himself a former YSS residential program graduate), and is structured through several operating units including the wholly-owned YSS Foundation (the fundraising/endowment arm, established 1984), Ember Recovery, Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC), and YSS of North Iowa (resulting from the 2016 merger with Francis Lauer Youth Services). Technology is limited to standard healthcare delivery and case management systems (Paycom for HR, teleconference platforms for vIOP); no API, AI/ML, or proprietary software product is disclosed.

YSS is funded through diversified, nonprofit revenue streams: federal grants (Family and Youth Services Bureau within HHS's Administration for Children and Families), Iowa state contracts (DHS funding as lead agency of the Iowa Aftercare Services Network since 2002), United Way allocations, fee-for-service mental health revenue (accepted across major insurance plans with sliding-scale payment options), individual and corporate donations (1,500+ annual campaign supporters), planned giving and a foundation endowment exceeding $3M. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; housing programs operate on a Housing First model with youth contributing a minimum of $25/month toward rent against income-based assistance. Growth to date has been predominantly organic and acquisitive (Francis Lauer merger 2016), with no equity or venture funding involved.

Name

YSS

Legal name

YSS, Inc.

Website

https://yss.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

YSS (Youth & Shelter Services) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1976 that delivers mental health therapy, residential addiction treatment, housing, foster-care aftercare, mentoring, and prevention services to Iowa youth and families across six locations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth and Family Social Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers (621420), Residential Mental Health and Substance Abuse Facilities (623220), Temporary Shelters (624221)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000), Services-Specialty Outpatient Facilities, Nec (8093), Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000)

akta.pro primary industry

Behavioral Health for Children & Adolescents (Youth Services) (HLAFACAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Housing, Foster Care & Wraparound Support (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAO), School-Based Mental & Behavioral Health Services (EDAJAIAB), Substance Use Prevention & Student Assistance Programs (School-Based) (EDAKAMAJ), Youth Justice, At-Risk Youth & Violence Prevention Nonprofits (BPAGADAM), Homeless, Foster Care & Highly Mobile Youth Education Services (EDAJAEAG), Neurodevelopmental & Behavioral Therapy Platforms (ADHD/Autism/Behavioral Coaching) (HLALAEAJ)

Keywords

• Youth social services
• Residential addiction treatment
• Supportive housing programs
• Mental health counseling
• Foster care advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Ames

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual and family donations through the YSS Foundation annual campaign. In 2020, 90 cents of every dollar raised went directly to YSS programs. Foundation endowment exceeds $3 million.
2. Government Grants and Contracts: Federal grants from Family and Youth Services Bureau (Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services). Iowa Department of Human Services funding for Iowa Aftercare Services Network.
3. Program Service Fees: Fees for mental health therapy services, accepts most major insurance plans. Sliding scale or customized payment plans available.
4. United Way Funding: United Way funded agency providing community-based support across Iowa
5. Planned Giving and Endowments: Bequests, revocable living trusts, life insurance, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities. Investment policy states 5.5% paid annually from endowment to support programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

YSS provides a statewide continuum of services for Iowa youth and young families, including residential and virtual addiction treatment (Ember Recovery), outpatient mental health counseling, emergency shelter and crisis stabilization, supportive and transitional housing, foster care advocacy and aftercare, mentoring, and school-based prevention programs. Services are delivered through six Iowa locations plus telehealth, serving thousands of youth each year across nearly 40 programs.

Product overview

YSS is a nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive continuum of youth and family services across Iowa. The organization operates through multiple interconnected programs including Ember Recovery for addiction treatment, mental health counseling services, supportive housing programs, homeless youth services, foster care advocacy, mentoring, and educational support. The portfolio includes core residential programs (Ember Recovery Campus with 70 beds), virtual services (vIOP), community-based centers across six Iowa locations, and specialized initiatives like the Hidden in Plain Sight prevention trailer and Rooftop Gardens workforce development program. Services range from crisis intervention (emergency shelter, crisis stabilization) to long-term support (aftercare, supportive housing, PSERP education retention).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ember Recovery: YSS's inpatient addiction treatment program for youth ages 12-18 and young adults ages 18-24, providing evidence-based, individualized treatment in a residential environment.
• Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC)
• Rosedale Shelter
• AMP (Achieving Maximum Potential)

Products and services

• Ember Recovery Inpatient, individualized, evidence-based residential addiction treatment program in a homelike atmosphere for youth ages 12-17 and a separate young adult program for ages 18-24; includes family involvement, continuing education, and gender-responsive programming.
• Ember Recovery Campus 70-bed nature-based residential campus near Cambridge, Iowa providing substance use treatment, crisis stabilization, and emergency shelter for youth.
• Virtual Intensive Outpatient Program (vIOP) Fully virtual addiction treatment program combining group therapy, individual support, and family involvement via secure online platform, accessible to anyone in Iowa.
• Counseling & Therapy Services Comprehensive behavioral health services including individual and family therapy, substance use counseling, psychiatric medication management, and specialized modalities (Play Therapy, EMDR, PCIT, TF-CBT, MDFT); accepts most major insurance plans and offers customized payment plans.
• Supportive Housing Housing First programs including Transitional Living, Rapid Rehousing, Lighthouse Program, and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance for youth experiencing homelessness; participants contribute at least $25 monthly toward rent with income-based assistance.
• Iowa Homeless Youth Centers (IHYC) Drop-in services in downtown Des Moines providing daily meals, clothing, hygiene items, showers, laundry, art studio, computer lab, street outreach, and emergency beds for homeless youth ages 18-24, plus case management and advocacy.
• Emergency Shelter Short-term crisis shelter for youth in Ames and Mason City providing safe housing, food, clothing, hygiene items, emotional support, counseling, and transition planning.
• Crisis Stabilization Short-term residential program with 24-hour supervision providing intervention and support for youth ages 13-17 experiencing acute mental health, behavioral health, or substance use crises without requiring hospitalization.
• AMP (Achieving Maximum Potential) Statewide youth council empowering foster and adoptive children ages 13-22 through life skills, leadership opportunities, legislative advocacy, and service-learning projects.
• Iowa Aftercare Services Network Statewide program for young adults ages 18-23 who have aged out of foster care, providing housing, health, employment, education, life skills, and supportive relationships through Pre-Planning, Core, and Extended Aftercare services; YSS is lead agency since 2002.
• YSS Mentoring Program Iowa-Mentor-certified school-based and community-based mentoring program matching children in grades K-8 with caring adult mentors across multiple Iowa school districts.
• YSS Kids Club Afterschool and summer care program for elementary students in Boone, Ogden, Madrid, and United school districts providing engaging enrichment activities and academic support.
• Post-Secondary Education Retention Program (PSERP) Education support program for young adults ages 18-25 helping complete associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, or trade certificates through case management, monthly stipends, mentors, tutors, and financial planning.
• Rooftop Gardens Workforce development program at 2705 E. Euclid Avenue, Des Moines, providing apprenticeship opportunities for at-risk and homeless youth through urban agriculture, job training, and access to healthy foods.
• Hidden in Plain Sight Trailer Mobile interactive exhibit replicating a teen bedroom to equip adults with skills to recognize subtle warning signs of teen substance use and risky behavior.

Quantifiable outcome

• 98% of youth in Supportive Housing Programs transition into safe, permanent housing
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Mid-States CompaniesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor for YSS Mentoring Program in Nevada, helping continue a 20-year+ legacy of providing positive role models for children.
• Overflow Thrift StoreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBusiness partner providing vouchers for clothing, furniture, and household goods at no cost to YSS clients and participants.
• Marshalltown Police DepartmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerYSS social workers partner with police on MPACT (Marshalltown Police & Community Team) to respond to mental health, family conflict, and substance abuse calls, reducing unnecessary arrests.
• Primary Health Care (PHC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPHC Homeless Support Department manages intake and waitlist for IHYC emergency bed program, prioritizing based on housing status and vulnerability index.
• Iowa State UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Iowa State University for career development, volunteer opportunities, and community engagement; ISU students serve as mentors and volunteers.
• Local School DistrictscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnerships with Boone, Ballard, Collins-Maxwell, Gilbert, Madrid, Nevada, Ogden, United school districts for Kids Club, mentoring, and prevention programs.
• Juvenile Court ServicescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCourt services refer youth to YSS emergency shelters for adjudicated youth waiting for court action.
• Iowa MentorcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide organization certifying YSS Mentoring Program and providing best practices guidelines from MENTOR National Mentoring Partnership.
• Mary Greeley Medical CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare provider partner; YSS board member Matt Aitchison represents the medical center on YSS Corporate Board of Directors.

Scale indicators25 records

Recent moves17 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Boys Town: National nonprofit operating residential treatment, in-home family services, and behavioral health for at-risk youth. Directly comparable to YSS on the integrated youth behavioral health + housing + residential model, though at much larger national scale.
• Tanager Place: Cedar Rapids, Iowa-based nonprofit offering behavioral health, residential treatment, and community-based programs for children and families. Closest direct Iowa peer to YSS in mission, geography, and service mix, including residential and outpatient mental health.

Regional players

• ChildServe: Iowa-based nonprofit providing pediatric rehabilitation, behavioral health, and residential services for children with developmental disabilities and complex needs. Comparable Iowa footprint and continuum-of-care model, with overlapping mental-health and residential services.
• Four Oaks: Iowa-based nonprofit providing child welfare, behavioral health, and juvenile justice services across the state. Operates group homes, foster care, and community programs, overlapping with YSS's foster care, aftercare, and shelter offerings.
• Crittenton Center: Sioux City, Iowa nonprofit offering emergency shelter, residential treatment, and family support for at-risk children. Comparable Iowa geography and shelter/residential continuum, though smaller in scale than YSS.
• Hill Crest Behavioral Health Services: Iowa-based behavioral health provider offering residential, outpatient, and crisis services for youth and adults. Overlaps with YSS on Iowa residential mental health and crisis stabilization services.

Broad incumbents

• KVC Health Systems: Midwest nonprofit providing in-home family services, foster care, behavioral health, and residential treatment for children and adolescents. Comparable in foster care, aftercare, and community-based behavioral health across multiple states.
• Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health: One of the largest U.S. nonprofits operating residential treatment, foster care, and behavioral health for children and adolescents. Comparable in residential and outpatient behavioral health, with national scale far exceeding YSS.
• National Youth Advocate Program (NYAP): National nonprofit providing foster care, behavioral health, and community-based services for youth and families, with a strong Iowa and Midwest presence. Comparable in foster care advocacy, aftercare, and community mental health.

Emerging players

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of America: National nonprofit focused on youth mentoring, overlapping with YSS's school-based and community-based mentoring programs. Different core model (mentor matching) but comparable target population and prevention mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/WeAreYSS
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/YouthShelterServices
• Facebookfacebook.com/weareYSS
• Instagraminstagram.com/weareyss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/weareyss

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about YSS