NAFI/NFI is a private nonprofit human service agency specializing in community-based care for children, youth, and adults with emotional and/or behavioral problems. NAFI/NFI oversees seven regional operations, four of which operate as subsidiary corporations. They are: NFI Massachusetts, NFI North, NFI Vermont and NAFI Connecticut. Additionally, NAFI operates regional programming in Rhode Island, Maryland, Virginia and Florida. In each region, NAFI/NFI strives to develop a consistent and effective continuum of care. Our multi-faceted array of programming includes:

Behavioral Health Services

NAFI/NFI provides residential behavioral health programs for latency-aged children and adolescents, as well as social services programs for infants and young children. These programs provide on-site educational, special-educational, recreational, and family services, and utilize a normative therapeutic milieu to help children and youth to identify and build on their strengths. NAFI/NFI also provides in-home wraparound care, independent living programs and respite care. Unlike traditional programs, NAFI/NFI's model offers a flexible continuum of care to provide high quality services that are tailored to individual client needs and emphasizes family work and community reintegration.

Child Welfare

NAFI/NFI provides child welfare programs for infants, latency-aged children and adolescents. These programs serve children experiencing out-of-home placement due to abuse, neglect, or a crisis within the family. NAFI/NFI provides a comprehensive array of services to families and children who are facing issues associated with domestic violence, substance abuse, mental health, and the effects of other trauma.

Juvenile Justice

NAFI/NFI has been a pioneer in effective, community-based programming since 1974, when its Founder and President, Dr. Yitzhak Bakal, was a visionary and leader in developing community-based services for adjudicated youth. Today, NAFI/NFI operates community-based juvenile justice programs in several states, which include secure residential programs, staff-secure programs, group homes, independent living programs, outreach and tracking programs, and therapeutic foster care. Youth in these programs are provided with the opportunity to develop values and skills in a climate that supports and rewards positive change and assumption of responsibility.

Adult Services

NAFI/NFI has become a leader in creating effective community-based programs for adults and seniors with mental illness, including those with dual-diagnoses or developmental delay. NAFI/NFI's adult programs provide medical, psychiatric and rehabilitation services, and the clients are given assistance in acquiring daily living skills, including household management, socialization, money management, symptom management, wellness and medication education.

Educational Services

NAFI/NFI operates a number of alternative and special education schools. Our schools create and maintain mission-driven communities that support pro-social behavior. Services build on the strengths of each child, and include the development of an individualized educational plan. All students are encouraged to learn adaptive coping skills, to maintain appropriate peer and family relations, and to develop community living and social skills.