We're here...to help young people thrive.

The Township Youth Interventionist Program is now serving youth as the Youth Engagement Program


Support4U App for River Forest and Oak Park Middle and High School Students: students can anonymously text licensed clinicians 24/7 for support with mental health-related needs

The Illinois Department of Human Services, Division of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse (IDHS/DASA) announced the establishment of the Illinois Helpline for Opioids and Other Substances. The confidential and free Helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for individuals experiencing opioid use disorders, families, and anyone affected by the disease. Helpline specialists are trained in evidence-based approaches to help connect callers with treatment services and recovery support services. To reach the Helpline, call 1-833-2FINDHELP.

2020 Illinois Youth Survey School Report for OPRF High School
2020 Illinois Youth Survey School Report for District 90 River Forest

Youth Substance Use in Oak Park and River Forest:
White Paper Executive Summary - 2015
White Paper Full Document - 2015

Partner Agency Events and Programs

Township Youth Services
We believe that young people thrive when they have a strong sense of belonging, independence, mastery and generosity. That's why we've contracted with more that 20 local agencies to provide scores of educational, recreational and vocational programs that touch the lives of more than 12,000 young people each year.
Our Youth Services Advisory Committee selects and evaluates these youth programs to ensure a safe, healthy and enriching environment for every young person in our community.

The Youth Services Committee generally meets on 1st Wednesdays at 6:45 PM.

Youth Services Committee meets at Oak Park Township, 105 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park.


Youth Intervention Program Township Youth Services
The Youth Intervention Program employs highly trained, experienced youth workers and coordinates a broad spectrum of services to help young people who are showing signs of involvement with gang activity, violence and/or substance abuse. Our youth interventionists work closely with parents, schools and local government and social service agencies to engage young people in positive activities and help them make better life choices. The Youth Intervention Program is cooperatively funded by all of the governmental units of Oak Park and River Forest and operated by the
Oak Park Township.

For more information, please review the brochure below, or contact:

Megan Traficano Director
OP and RF Township Youth Services
708-445-2727.


Face-IT Program
“Families Acting Collaboratively to Educate and Involve Teens” (FACE-IT) is an evidence based, family-focused alcohol, tobacco and other drug education, prevention, and early intervention program for youth and their parents or caregivers. The courses, which are held over several weeks, teach life skills, critical thinking, anger management, etc.  Both parent/caretaker and youth are required to attend and complete the program.

For more information, please review the brochure below, or contact:

Face-It Brochure

Jenifer Roth
Face-It Program Administrator
[email protected]

T.I.M.E. program
The T.I.M.E. program (Teen Initiative for Meeting Expectations) is a court diversion program for youth who have committed an offense in the Oak Park / River Forest area. Youth are referred by the two local Police Departments and the Office of Adjudication at the Village of Oak Park and are given community service hours to serve. The hours are served in the Oak Park /River Forest communities at local non-profits or government agencies. Should the youth need other services, referrals for the Face-It program or assessments at Thrive Counseling Center may be part of the referral process. The program is supported by and housed at Oak Park Township Youth Services.

For more information, please review the brochure below, or contact:

Time Brochure

Susan Stearns
T.I.M.E. Program Manager 708-445-2727, Ext. 127 [email protected]

Contracted Programs
The townships provide funding for a number of community-based programs that have been established to help prevent youth-related problems in River Forest and Oak Park.

These programs include:
  • Substance abuse assessment
  • Intramurals
  • Evening/weekend recreation activities
  • Arts enrichment programs
  • Tutoring/mentoring
  • I-Search (River Forest Only)
  • Literacy Programs
  • After school programming at RF Library
  • Snowball
  • Summer robotics camp

  • Scholarships
    We offer scholarships so that young people aged 5-17 with demonstrated financial need can participate in after-school recreational, educational, sports and arts-related programs. (Scholarships may be available to children aged 3-4 on an exception basis.)

    Click here for Guidelines and Request form.

    If you are interested in applying for a scholarship, please register in person for the program you wish to attend, for example, at the River Forest Park District or River Forest Community Center. Tell the staff you would like to be considered for a scholarship, and they will complete and submit the application on your behalf. Please be sure to bring the documentation outlined in the Guidelines and Income Verification Form. Please be sure to bring the documentation outlined in the Guidelines and Income Verification Form.


    Brochures on Township youth programs and resources ---including a HelpCard ---are available in the Downloads section of this website or at Oak Park Township Office.

    Interested in serving your community as a mentor? Click here to learn more...

    Need information or referrals? Contact our Youth Services office at 708.445.2727 or
    Contact Us.

    Other Resources:



    2022 Youth Services Committee Meetings:
    1st Wednesdays, 6:00 PM; 1/5 (Contractor Night, starts at 6:30 pm), 2/2, 3/16, 4/6, 5/4; September, October and November meetings TBA.

    Oak Park Township offices, 105 S. Oak Park Avenue, Oak Park or by electronic meeting due to Covid-19 safety precaution


































     
       
     
    River Forest Township - 8020 West Madison St - River Forest, Il 60305 - Ph 708.366.2029

    Website Development & Hosting by Venacity
    Website Design by Little Jack Marketing
    Copyright © River Forest Township