Your Support = Their Strength

In Dane County, a growing number of young people are reaching out for help—struggling with anxiety, depression, and trauma, and urgently seeking the mental health support they need to heal and thrive. In 2023 alone, the Behavioral Health Resource Center (BHRC) served nearly 2,600 individuals under the age of 30, a number that continues to rise. Nearly 1 in 5 reported that waitlists made it harder to access care, and 85% of those were seeking mental health support. While the need is great, so is the opportunity—to ensure that every young person has timely access to the help they’re looking for, and the chance to move forward with strength and support.

FLYY: Guiding Youth Toward Healing, Growth, and Hope

Building on its strong foundation as a wilderness program—FLYY provides comprehensive, experiential, and relationship-based mental health services that meet young people where they are, both literally and emotionally.

Our services are designed to engage youth in meaningful, healing-centered work that builds skills, strengthens relationships, and creates lasting change. Our core services include:

Skill Development and Psychoeducation – Equipping youth with practical tools to navigate life’s challenges, build resilience, and foster emotional well-being.
Case Management and Crisis Support – Offering personalized support and helping youth and families build strong networks to overcome social, economic, and personal barriers.
Psychotherapy and Peer Support – Addressing both individual and family dynamics to support healing, communication, and connection at home.
Support for Individuals Experiencing First Episode Psychosis - Designed to instill hope and empower participants to lead a self-directed life within the community.

FLYY’s team includes bachelor’s and master’s-level clinicians and licensed therapists, peer support specialists, and passionate staff from diverse backgrounds—many of whom bring their own lived experiences and deep ties to the LGBTQIA communities.

We provide services, including support and education groups where they’re needed most: in homes, schools, community spaces, and our own welcoming offices. Because healing and learning don’t just happen in a therapist’s chair—they happen in the environments where life unfolds.

FLYY Mission: Empowering Youth to Transform, Heal, and Thrive

FLYY acts as a catalyst for youth and young adults, helping them transform their outlook, develop coping skills, and build resilience.

FLYY Vision: Our vision is to co-create a community where participants can realize their full potential despite social, economic, and behavioral obstacles.

FLYY's Impact: Real Change, One Life at a Time

In 2024, FLYY supported 168 youth and young adults on their journey toward self-acceptance, emotional resilience, and meaningful connection. Behind each number is a story of progress—of a young person feeling seen, of a family finding common ground, of a community made stronger through compassion and care.

Our impact is rooted in 15 years of experience serving youth and their caregivers with culturally responsive, community-based mental health services. We are a trusted partner for young people who may not feel comfortable in a traditional office-based mental health setting—and our reach continues to grow.

Here's how we make a difference:

A Recognized Leader in Care: Known for high-quality, accessible programming, FLYY is a certified Medicaid Comprehensive Community Services (CCS) agency, also accepting Group Health Cooperative (GHC) and Quartz insurance.
Experienced, Compassionate Staff: Our team includes 25 skilled clinicians and support professionals who serve nearly 200 youth and families each year.
Tailored, Targeted Programs: We offer six unique programs designed to meet the diverse needs of youth and their families.
Strong Community Connections: FLYY collaborates with local schools, employers, and community organizations to ensure comprehensive, wraparound support.
Lasting Impact:
- We help youth develop self-awareness, confidence, and coping skills.
- We support families in building healthier communication and stronger relationships.
- We provide accessible mental health services rooted in equity, inclusion, and respect.
- We foster safe, welcoming spaces where every young person feels valued and empowered.

FLYY has become more than a service provider—we are a trusted anchor for youth navigating difficult transitions, and a source of hope for families in need of support.

We Need Your Support

Each hour FLYY spends with a young person—offering guidance, building trust, and creating space for growth—costs about $151. These moments add up to meaningful progress: helping a young person build confidence, supporting a family through challenges, and creating pathways to emotional wellness.

To sustain these essential services, FLYY is working to raise $200,000 this year to help close funding gaps in our $1.4 million annual operating budget. With potential Medicaid cuts on the horizon, this funding is crucial to ensuring continued access to care for youth and families in need.

Your support helps sustain this important work. It ensures that trained, compassionate professionals are available to meet young people where they are—with consistency, care, and respect.

FLYY is dedicated to providing high-quality, accessible support services to youth and families in our community—but we cannot do it alone. Your generous donation will help us:

Expand our programs to reach more youth in need.
Provide financial assistance to families who cannot afford services.
Train and support skilled therapists beyond industry standards.
Sustain a safe, inclusive space where youth feel empowered to grow.

Your contribution today helps ensure every young person has the support they need to move forward with hope.

Join us in strengthening what’s possible.

FLYY Community Based Mental Health

By Forward Learning Youth and Young Adults

FLYY Community Based Mental Health

Help FLYY continue to provide accessible, community-based mental health services for youth and young adults.

Team Members