Youth Development Program

The Broome County Youth Bureau Request for Proposals for Youth Development Program funding is administered at the county level in partnership with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The Youth Bureau operates with a mission to promote and encourage a coordinated system of services for children and youth through planning, funding, evaluation, and advocacy. This funding opportunity is designed to support programs that enhance positive youth development and prevent juvenile delinquency, targeting individuals from birth through age twenty-one within Broome County. The initiative reflects a broader state-supported framework that prioritizes community-based services and evidence-informed programming for youth populations. The purpose of this funding is to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations and other eligible entities that deliver programs aligned with key youth development priorities. These priorities include school-based and after-school positive youth development, mentoring, juvenile diversion, youth employment, and services for runaway and homeless youth. Programs that align with these priority areas receive additional consideration during the review process. The funding is intended to strengthen community capacity to provide structured, supportive environments and services that foster long-term positive outcomes for youth. Funding under this opportunity is reimbursement-based and contingent upon allocations from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The county serves as an intermediary, accepting applications from local agencies, reviewing and recommending proposals, and then submitting selected applications to the state for final approval. Awards are issued as one-year contracts covering a program period from October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027. Applicants may request up to twenty thousand dollars, although final award amounts may vary depending on state budget allocations and the total number of funded programs. Matching funds are not required, but applicants demonstrating additional financial support may be viewed more favorably. Eligibility is limited to not-for-profit incorporated organizations capable of delivering effective youth programming that addresses identified community needs. Applicants must demonstrate organizational capacity, program effectiveness, and alignment with the funding priorities outlined in the request for proposals. All proposals are treated as new submissions regardless of prior funding, and the process is competitive with no guarantee of funding or appeal mechanism. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may be disqualified without correction by the Youth Bureau. The application process requires submission of both electronic and hard copy materials by the stated deadline. Required components include a completed application form appropriate to the funding amount, a program budget summary, and several state-mandated forms. Additional documentation is required for certain program types or new applicants. Applications undergo a multi-step review process beginning with evaluation by the Youth Bureau Advisory Board Program Committee, followed by full board review, county legislative approval, and final determination by the state Office of Children and Family Services. Evaluation criteria include cost effectiveness, measurable outcomes, completeness, and alignment with state-defined priority areas. Key dates include a release of the request for proposals on June 1, 2026, and a submission deadline of July 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM. Funding notifications are expected by September 30, 2026, pending legislative approval. The earliest start date for reimbursable program activities is October 1, 2026. Awardees must comply with reporting requirements including annual assessments, mid and final reports, and participation in site visits conducted by Youth Bureau staff. Program staff must also demonstrate training in positive youth development practices. Applicants may direct inquiries to the Broome County Youth Bureau, specifically to the designated contact via phone or email. The process emphasizes accountability, community collaboration, and alignment with state and local priorities, ensuring that funded programs contribute meaningfully to the development and well-being of youth across Broome County.

Align proposal with priority service areas such as mentoring after school programming and juvenile diversion demonstrate measurable outcomes and ensure completeness and accuracy as incomplete applications are not corrected by reviewers