About LIAFS

Long Island Adolescent and Family Services (LIAFS) is a not-for-profit Social Service agency that provides residential and ancillary services to male and female youth. With four sites in Suffolk County, our multi-faceted services include: casework and mental health counseling, medical and dental care, independent living skills training, education and recreation. In addition to our work, we also offer services to families in need of support and assistance.

LIAFS was founded by a dedicated group of staff and volunteers from Middle Country School District who were concerned about the lack of local resources for children who were victims of child abuse and neglect. The Community House SAFEHOUSE, constructed with volunteer labor and materials with participation of the Seabees, was the prototype for additional homes LIAFS opened in Ridge (1990), Stony Brook (1997) and Port Jefferson Station (2000). Since the first home opened in 1988, LIAFS has grown from a small localized agency designed to serve the Selden-Centereach community to a regional resource serving Long Island.

In 2005, LIAFS was approved by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) to begin a new program offering intensified, specialized services to youth and children in our Stony Brook and Centereach Residences. In 2007, in partnership with NYS, OCFS and the New York State Department of Health (DOH), LIAFS was approved to begin a Supportive\Mental Health Counseling Program. In 2010, LIAFS in partnership with Suffolk County Department of Labor started a program (SWEP) for those unemployed in our county in need of job training, increasing employability.

LIAFS serves a maximum of 42 children at one time in our four community-based sites with approximately 400 youth and families served annually. Since its inception LIAFS has served over 5,000 youth and their families.

As a community-based organization, LIAFS is keenly aware of both the responsibility and benefits of encouraging community involvement. To this end, our Board of Directors is comprised of Professionals from our surrounding communities.

In 2012, LIAFS  began a new initiative known as Family First. This effort offers specialized services to children and their families, with a primary goal of family reunification

LIAFS’ LICENSING

LIAFS is licensed by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. LIAFS is contracted with both Suffolk County and Nassau County Department of Social Services and is approved to provide Respite Services by the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH). LIAFS is approved by the New York State Department of Health (DOH) for providing all medical services.