The Link is Shelby County’s Youth Resource Center, designed to support young people and families who are facing emotional, behavioral, social, school-related, or family-based challenges. We provide early intervention, skill-building, resource coordination, and support—helping families get connected to the right services at the right time.

Referrals can come from:

• Juvenile Court and probation

• School counselors, teachers, and SROs

• Parents, guardians, and caregivers (self-referrals welcomed)

• Law enforcement

• Community agencies and service providers

Youth do not need to have charges or court involvement to be referred.

We serve school-aged youth through early adulthood, with services centered around each child’s developmental needs.

We assist with a wide range of challenges, including:

• School behavior, attendance, and truancy

• Emotional or behavioral difficulties

• Family conflict and communication problems

• Peer conflict, unhealthy friendships, and social issues

• Anxiety, stress, and coping skills

• Anger, impulsivity, and decision-making

• Grief and loss

• Online behavior concerns and social-media compulsions

• Youth at risk of entering deeper juvenile justice involvement

If a concern is impacting a youth’s well-being, school success, or family stability, we can help.

We are not a mental-health counseling center.

However, we provide evidence-based skill-building sessions, brief interventions, and resource coordination. When youth need therapy, psychiatric services, or specialized treatment, we help

families get connected quickly to trusted local providers.

No. All services provided at The Link are free to youth and families.

During the initial visit, we:

1. Talk with the youth and caregiver to understand concerns, needs, and strengths.

2. Explore what’s been going well and what hasn’t. We use evidence-based screeners and questionnaires.

3. Identify practical supports, community resources, and next steps.

4. Create a short-term plan tailored to the youth and family.

The process is conversational—not clinical—and designed to reduce stress, not add to it.

Services include:

• One-on-one skill-building sessions

• Triple P Parenting (Teen & 0-12)

• Attendance/truancy support and action planning

• Decision-making, emotional regulation, anger management, and social-skills sessions

• Resource coordination for basic needs, mental-health services, transportation, and more

• Pro-social activities

• Community outreach and early-intervention partnership with schools and law enforcement

Support is individualized. Some families need just one or two meetings; others participate for several weeks, and some up to three months. The goal is to strengthen skills, stabilize concerns, and connect families to ongoing supports when needed.

Parent/guardian participation is always encouraged. Many of our programs—such as Triple P parenting sessions, attendance action plans, and family-strengthening supports—work best when

caregivers are involved.

However, we mostly work one-on-one with youth, especially when privacy or comfort is needed.

Yes—most referrals are voluntary and youth/families can choose to engage with us.

For court-involved youth, participation may be ordered by the Juvenile Court Judge or through Diversion, but our approach remains supportive rather than punitive.

Absolutely. Schools use The Link as an early-intervention partner when students struggle with:

• Attendance

• Anxiety, social skills, or emotional regulation

• Discipline concerns

• Family issues affecting school performance

• Peer conflict or bullying

• Decision-making, impulsivity, and online behavior

Our services can reduce barriers for school staff and support more stable outcomes for students.

You can submit a referral:

• Online: through our website’s referral form at the bottom of each web page or CLICK HERE

• Phone: call The Link to discuss concerns directly 937.658.6660

Referrals are simple—just basic information about the youth and what your concerns are.

Usually very little. Basic demographic information, school information, and a description of the current concern are enough. We’ll guide you through the rest.

To be transparent:

• We do not provide long-term therapy.

• We do not provide emergency or crisis intervention.

• We do not transport youth.

• We do not function as a residential or shelter facility.

If a situation is a crisis or safety issue, we will help families reach the appropriate agency quickly (e.g., 988 hotline, local crisis services, law enforcement).

Our role is to provide an alternative to charges whenever possible by offering early support and addressing underlying needs before things escalate.

We maintain strict confidentiality within legal limits. We do not share personal information without caregiver consent unless required by law (e.g., safety concerns or mandated reporting). We have clients sign Release of Information forms outlining who we can speak with about a youth.

Families often report improvements in:

• School attendance and behavior

• Emotional regulation and coping skills

• Family communication

• Peer relationships

• Motivation and self-confidence

• Understanding available resources

Most importantly, families feel understood and supported rather than judged or overwhelmed.

1000 Milligan Court Suite 102 Sidney, OH

Phone: 937.658.6660 Email: thelink@shelbyco.net Hours: Monday - 8:30 am - 7:00 pm

Tuesday - 8:00 am - 7:00 pm

Wednesday - Friday 8:00 am - 4:30 pm