Directions for Youth & Families is a non-profit social service agency that provides counseling, case management, psychological, psychiatric, and prevention programs to Central Ohio families, serving 5,500+ youth annually. Duane Casares has been with DFYF since 1990, holding the position of Clinical Director for most of his tenure prior to assuming the role of CEO.

Casares was invited to speak at the White House in 2016 for his agency’s work with the Adverse Childhood Experiences trauma assessment tool. He has also served as an adjunct professor in the College of Social Work at The Ohio State University.

Casares received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminology and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University.