California Youth Services
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
We provide education, counseling, and intervention programs to support individuals and families facing substance abuse, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Our mission is to empower youth and fimilies with the skills, resources, and guidance needed to achieve lasting recovery, healthy relationships, and positive life outcomes.
- Income
- $854,341
- Spending
- $833,781
- Spent on programs
- 67%
- Reserves
- 5.3 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 49%
- Employees
- 16
- Volunteers
- 20
- Highest pay
- $166,011, executive director
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 60% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 5.3 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 18% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1566% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 29 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 87 out of 100. Higher than 74% of charities in its peer group (human services, $250k to $1m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 13 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
0 of 10Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
12 of 15Its accounts were reviewed or compiled by an independent accountant, but not audited.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $554,193 spent. California Youth Services CYS provided services to 2,197 youth and families through programs addressing substance abuse, behavioral, and mental health challenges. The Pathways Counseling Program served 225 youth and families, delivering 1,918 counseling sessions to improve coping skills, family communication, and overall well-being. The Juvenile Alcohol Drug Education JADE program served 343 youth and families, offering alcohol and drug awareness, life skills, and resilience-building activities that promote healthy decision-making and self-esteem. Our Drug Testing and Alternative-to-Suspension ATS programs reached 1,629 youth, including 1,441 through drug testing and 188 through ATS interventions, to help participants remain engaged in school while addressing substance use concerns. See Schedule O for continuation of explanation California Youth Services CYS programs support youth and families facing substance abuse, behavioral, and mental health challenges.CYS offers individual and family counseling, structured programs such as JADE and Pathways, drug testing, alternative-to-suspension programs, ongoing aftercare, and community and parent education workshops. Counseling addresses substance use, mental health, and behavioral concerns, while structured programs teach life skills, emotional regulation, and resilience. Families in need receive program fee support to ensure equitable access.Program outcomes are measured through progress notes, attendance, and pre/post assessments. In the past year, participants have shown measurable improvement in coping skills, decision-making, family communication, and overall well-being. CYS combines direct services, family engagement, drug education, and ongoing support to achieve sustainable, positive outcomes for youth and families.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since November 2004.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.