Youth Services within the Human Services Department provides services directly to individuals or families experiencing difficulty in meeting their basic human needs: for physical survival (food, shelter, clothing, maintenance of minimum income), for adequate preparation for and help in sustaining gainful employment (employment and training programs, child and adult day care), for social support and interaction, especially in time of personal or family crisis (social services, counseling services), for assistance in overcoming specific pathologies (health, mental health, and substance abuse), and for help in gaining access to available, appropriate services (information and referral transportation). The Cheshire Human Services Department operates a comprehensive program of social and youth services for the Cheshire community.