The YCS Holley program assists up to 48 boys and girls ages 6 to 12 years old who, because of their own needs or that of their family, can not live at home and need the services of a residential treatment facility. Children generally spend eighteen months in this long-term program. 

YCS Holley provides a safe, therapeutic environment where each child's developmental needs are met, opportunities for growth are promoted and plans to transition the child to the least restrictive setting possible are maintained.

Residential treatment at YCS Holley is based on intensive therapy. From the day of admission, the center's dedicated staff of therapists, social workers, nurses and other child care professionals begin treating both the child and, wherever possible, the family.

Children attend the YCS George Washington School located in Hackensack, NJ. There the children receive a specialized blend of education and therapy.

YCS enjoys an enviable record of success in the residential care of children and the Holley Center has served as a model of enlightened and compassionate mental health care for youngsters.

While residing here and learning appropriate behaviors, children have many fun experiences, which may include:

• Spending time with a dog that is specially trained in "therapy"
• Swimming at a local pool
• Participating in a Special Olympics competition or other community-sponsored recreational activities
• Girl Scouting
• Aerobic classes taught by a volunteer
• Or simply riding bikes in the large lot on the side of the building

Common areas in the building give the children the needed space to interact with each other and the staff. Each wing has its own large play area.  The dining hall has a place for each child and evening meals are a time for sharing and quiet conversation.

Referrals to the program come from the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) with recommendations from various Case Assessment Resource Team (C.A.R.T) programs, Case Management Organizations (CMOs), hospitals and YCS Kid Connection.

YCS Holley is an early example of the State of New Jersey working cooperatively with a private agency to provide care to children. Since its founding in 1971, the Holley program has increased the number of children served at any one time from 30 to 50.

In 1988, Charles R. Fisher Hall, a short term program, was added to the programing at the Holley Center building. 

In 1996, the second floor addition, named Julie and Henry Muller Hall, provided bedrooms, a larger indoor recreation area and several smaller family-like units for children to live and grow.

In 2000, a wing of the building was dedicated to the late Kathy Stanton, a tireless volunteer for the children who reside at the Center.

Through the Adopt-a-Room program, individuals, civic groups, religious organizations and others agree to take on the financial responsibility for the upkeep of a specific room in YCS Holley Center.  This commitment ensures the future of Holley Center for many years to come and is just one of the many ways to give charitably to YCS Holley Center.

Hackensack, NJ 07601

Children are in YCS care 24 hours per day for the length of their stay.

Admissions are usually accepted during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM.