About Youth180
Youth180 is an innovative leader helping youth and families navigate social and environmental challenges through prevention, intervention, and clinical programs.
Our story
Our story began in 1983, when Dallas civic leaders gathered for a symposium called The Dallas Challenge in response to growing concerns about adolescent drug and alcohol use. Their work led to the creation of Dallas Challenge, Inc. in 1984, with an early focus on identifying and addressing adolescent substance use as soon as possible.
In 2017, Dallas Challenge became Youth180, a name that reflects our belief in the possibility of change. Our work expanded beyond substance use alone to address the trauma, mental health challenges, family dynamics, and environmental factors that can shape a young person's choices and well-being.
For more than 40 years, we have helped young people build the skills, support, and resilience they need to make healthy choices and move toward healthier futures. Today, Youth180 provides a continuum of trauma-responsive behavioral health and substance use services for youth, young adults, and families across North Texas, regardless of income, background, or insured status.
1983
Dallas civic leaders hold The Dallas Challenge symposium on adolescent drug and alcohol use.
1984
Dallas Challenge, Inc. is created to identify and address adolescent substance use early.
2017
Dallas Challenge becomes Youth180, expanding to trauma, mental health, family, and environment.
Today
A continuum of trauma-responsive care across North Texas, regardless of income, background, or insured status.
Meeting young people where they are
There is no single path to a healthier future. Some young people need the knowledge and skills to prevent substance use before it begins. Others need support when challenges first emerge. And some need professional treatment to address substance use, mental health challenges, trauma, or other underlying needs.
Youth180 meets young people at each of those points through three core areas of service:
Prevention
We partner with schools and communities to help young people build resilience, strengthen decision-making skills, understand the risks of substance use, and develop healthy coping strategies.
Intervention
When a young person begins showing early signs of substance use or other challenges, our intervention services provide timely support, education, skill-building, family engagement, and connections to additional resources.
Clinical Services
For youth and young adults who need more intensive support, Youth180 provides trauma-responsive outpatient behavioral health and substance use treatment, including individual, group, and family therapy, psychiatric services, and medication management.
Together, these programs allow Youth180 to support young people across a continuum, from prevention and early support to treatment and recovery.