Referral and eligibility review
A case manager or appropriate referral source begins the DFCS referral process.
Family-centered autism respite supportServing five Metro Atlanta countiesEmpowering Youth. Strengthening Families.
Contracted Autism Respite Care Services ProviderRefer a Child
Empowering Youth. Strengthening Families.
Atlanta Youth Services LLC
Compassionate Autism Respite Support for Children and Families
Atlanta Youth Services provides Autism Respite Care Services for eligible children and young adults under contract with the Georgia Department of Human Services and DFCS.
✓Contracted ARCS Provider
⌖Serving Metro Atlanta
♡Family-Centered
⌂Community-Based
2017Founded in 2017
Georgia DHS and DFCS initiative
What Is ARCS?
ARCS provides in-home and community-based respite and behavioral support for eligible children and young adults with autism.
Atlanta Youth Services delivers these services as a contracted provider through Georgia DHS and DFCS within its approved service area.
Explore ARCS Services →Who we serve
Support for eligible foster and adoptive families.
We support eligible children and young adults with autism who are in foster care or have been adopted from foster care.
View Eligibility Details →
Getting started
How Services Begin
Consultation and matching
AYS learns about the family and identifies a qualified provider based on need, location, availability, and fit.
Services begin
After intake, matching, and written confirmation, the provider begins planned support.
Our Approved
Service Area
Atlanta Youth Services serves eligible families in five counties across Georgia DFCS Regions 13 and 14.
Georgia
ClaytonCobbGwinnettDeKalbFultonMetro Atlanta
Region 13Region 14
Select a county to highlight it. Illustration is not drawn to boundaries or scale.
Why families choose AYS
Warmth, experience, and collaboration.
Family-Centered Care
Every child is unique. We build services around each family’s strengths and needs.
Community-Based Support
Services take place where children are most comfortable—at home and in their community.
Experienced Providers
Providers receive autism-focused training and ongoing support from the AYS team.
Collaborative Approach
We work alongside caregivers and referring professionals to help children succeed.
Our purpose
What guides Atlanta Youth Services
We believe children and families have inherent strengths and the ability to overcome challenges when provided with appropriate support, education, encouragement, and resources. Through family-centered partnerships, we help create environments where children can thrive and families can grow stronger.
Our mission
Atlanta Youth Services empowers youth and strengthens families by providing compassionate, community-based support that promotes safety, stability, resilience, and opportunity.
Our vision
A future where every child and family—regardless of circumstance, diagnosis, or system involvement—has the support, stability, and opportunity they need to thrive.
Our values
The 7 C’s of AYS
The values that shape how we serve, lead, and grow.
Our values aren’t simply what we believe—they’re how we show up. The 7 C’s guide our decisions, our relationships, and our commitment to the children, families, and communities we serve.
Compassion
We lead with empathy and seek to understand every child and family’s unique experience.
Commitment
We show up, follow through, and remain dedicated to the people we serve.
Character
We do what is right, even when no one is watching.
Connection
We build meaningful relationships rooted in trust, respect, and partnership.
Competence
We continuously develop the knowledge and skills necessary to serve with excellence.
Courage
We speak up, advocate, and take action when children and families need us.
Community
We believe empowered youth and strengthened families create thriving communities.
Empowering Youth. Strengthening Families.
Because when we strengthen both, we transform communities.Empower the youth→Strengthen the family→Transform the community
About Atlanta Youth Services
Family-centered support, rooted in community.
Founded in 2017, Atlanta Youth Services LLC works collaboratively with caregivers, child welfare professionals, and community partners to help children thrive and families grow stronger.
Meet Atlanta Youth Services →
Ready to take the next step?
Whether you’re a caregiver, case manager, foster parent, or community partner, we’re here to help.
Privacy
Use email and social media only for general questions. Submit confidential referral information only through the secure referral form.
Service model
Serving eligible families through home- and community-based services across the approved Metro Atlanta service area.