Youth development is implemented through partnerships with local schools, communities and families to promote healthy, positive behaviors in youth through equipping young people with life skills and providing positive alternatives to risky behaviors. The goal is that youth development programs will result in youth with good physical and mental health; competency at school, work and in the community; confidence; character; and connectedness with family for youth.
In order to provide equitable access to this funding, OCFS has developed a universal application form that must be used as part of the procurement process by municipal youth bureaus. If you are interested in funding, please reach out to your Youth Bureau.
Youth Development Programs (YDPs)
OCFS (Office of Children and Family Services) encourages municipalities to fund a wide variety of YDPs (Youth Development Programs). Funding has included, but is not limited to the following:
- Citizenship and Civic Engagement (Local clean-ups, tutoring, membership in community organizations)
- Community (Youth activism, community service)
- Economic Security (Career development, life-skills, etc.)
- Physical and Psychological Health (Seasonal activities like summer camp, opportunities for creative expression)
- Education (Programming to support educational engagement)
- Family (conflict resolution supports, restorative practices)
All programs funded with YDP monies have embedded the principals of positive youth development and promote the wellbeing of youth. The following eight features of positive youth development have been fostered in each YDP funded program.
- Physical and Psychological Safety (Safe building location, staff training in case of emergencies, child-to-staff ratios is age appropriate, etc.)
- Appropriate Structure (Staff have been trained to establish and maintain clear boundaries, public spaces are free from inappropriate or degrading materials, etc.)
- Supportive Relationships (The sponsoring agency regularly evaluates staff interactions with participants, Staff members make efforts to support each child every day)
- Opportunities to Belong (Staff is culturally competent in the various ethnic/cultural groups represented in the program, space and activities are accessible, etc.)
- Positive Social Norms (Clear and consistent rules of conduct are developed, Staff/volunteers are trained to act as role models and to utilize positive development approach, etc.)
- Support for Efficacy (Young people are involved in making decisions, trained to take on leadership roles, contribute back to the community, etc.)
- Opportunities for Skill Building (Young people learn or improve physical, social, pre-employment, creative, or academic skills)
- Integration of Family, School, and community efforts (Families of young people are encouraged to: provide feedback, volunteer, stay informed, etc.)
Youth Team Sports (YTS)
Youth Team Sports is grounded in the principles of positive youth development. YTS are intended to provide support to local team sports in communities where such programs may be scarce or under-resourced. YTS focuses only on team sports, and therefore, for the purposes of YTS funding a team sport is defined as an organized physical activity in which groups of two-or-more individuals compete with two-or-more opposing individuals.
To be sure that funding is resourced appropriately, we must distribute funds based on local needs. considering factors including but not limited to:
- Historically under-resourced communities
- High rates of public housing/homelessness
- Opportunity zones that are considered "low-income"
- Marginalized communities or groups with higher barriers to participation in team sports
- Federally and/or New York-State recognized tribes and tribal organizations
- Neighborhoods that experience higher rates of crime and violence and low-performing schools.
All YTS funded programs have aimed to foster the following:
- Physical health and wellbeing (Increasing physical activity and positive relationships to one's body)
- Mental health and wellbeing (Improving outcomes related to youth mental health, social/emotional skills)
- Employment (Increasing qualifications and skills such as teamwork, collective problem-solving, conflict resolution)
- Community cohesion (breaking down barriers to reduce discrimination, crime and violence in communities and help young leaders immerge)
Youth Sports and Education Opportunity Funding (YSEF)
Similar to Youth Team Sports, YSEF harbors the same need-based funding, however, municipalities with detention facilities, residential runaway and homeless youth programs, and other congregate residential settings supporting disconnected youth are strongly encouraged to offer opportunities to youth in these settings utilizing YSEF.
All YSEF funded programs have aimed to foster the following:
- Educational connection and achievement (More youth attending and completing school with increased attainment, including collegiate placement success)
- Physical health and well-being (increasing physical activity and positive relationships to one's body)
- Psychological health and well-being (Improving outcomes related to youths' mental health and social/emotional skills and connectedness)
- Employment (Increasing qualifications and skills that help prepare youth for suitable employment)
- Community cohesion (Breaking down barriers to reduce discrimination, crime, and violence in communities and help young leaders emerge)
