COBYS Family Services

COBYS Family Services is a Christian agency, founded by the Atlantic Northeast District of the Church of the Brethren. Founded in 1979 as a teen foster care program, we originally were named Church of the Brethren Youth Services (COBYS). Over more than a quarter century of service, we have grown into a comprehensive family ministry that now includes adoption and foster care services, counseling, family life education, and a permanency program.

Since 1989 COBYS has been headquartered in the historic Oregon Mill, north of Lancaster (near Oregon Dairy and Reflections Restaurant). To better reflect the broadened scope of services and clients, in 1992 we adopted the name “COBYS Family Services.” While the letters of the acronym “COBYS” no longer have meaning, the name “COBYS Family Services” has come to mean Christlike concern for children and families.

Motivated by Christian faith, COBYS Family Services educates, supports, and empowers children and adults to reach their full potential. We carry out this mission through adoption an foster care services, including the permanency program in Lancaster; an extensive family life education program that offers a variety of services to parents and families; and counseling for children and adults by trained Christian therapists.