Youth Development Program

The Chautauqua County Youth Development Program Request for Proposals is administered by the Chautauqua County Youth Bureau, a local government entity responsible for supporting youth services and programming across the county. This funding opportunity is designed to support community-based organizations that provide structured, outcome-driven youth development programs aligned with New York State priorities. The initiative is guided by the Touchstones Framework developed by the New York State Council on Children and Families, which emphasizes key life domains including economic security, physical and emotional health, education, citizenship, and family and community well-being. The County acts as a local sponsor for funds distributed through the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The purpose of this funding is to enhance opportunities and supports for youth under the age of 21 residing in Chautauqua County. Programs must be designed to address locally identified needs and deliver measurable outcomes. Eligible programming may include areas such as youth leadership, mentoring, workforce readiness, education support, health and wellness activities, family support services, and anti-trafficking initiatives. All programs must incorporate positive youth development principles such as fostering safe environments, promoting supportive relationships, and enabling skill-building opportunities. Programs are expected to align with one or two Touchstones life areas and track performance using established outcome measures. Funding is provided through a reimbursement-based structure and is contingent on the availability of annual appropriations from the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. Applicants may request up to 20000 dollars to support a single youth development program. Funds may be used for personnel, program supplies, space rental, and operational expenses directly related to service delivery. Administrative costs are capped at 15 percent of the total budget. Funding cannot be used for organizational overhead unrelated to programming, political activities, religious programming without a secular focus, or fundraising efforts. Matching funds are not required, though collaborative partnerships are encouraged. Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations that are properly registered or incorporated in New York State and meet IRS nonprofit standards. Organizations must demonstrate the ability to serve youth in Chautauqua County, maintain a child protection policy, collect participant data for reporting, and comply with non-discrimination requirements. For-profit entities, private foundations, and organizations engaging in restricted activities are not eligible. Programs must ensure equitable access and cannot deny participation based on inability to pay, requiring scholarship or tiered fee systems where applicable. The application process requires submission of a complete proposal package including a structured program narrative, budget, required OCFS forms, organizational documentation, and supporting materials such as safety plans and performance measurement tools. Proposals must be submitted in sealed format to the Chautauqua County Purchasing Department by the stated deadline. Questions must be submitted in advance and responses are distributed via addenda. Applicants may be required to present their proposal to the Youth Board as part of the evaluation process. Proposals are evaluated based on completeness, organizational capacity, program design, cost effectiveness, and alignment with community needs. The County reserves the right to request clarifications and award funding based on overall scoring rather than cost alone. Contracts are awarded for a one-year term beginning October 1, 2026 and ending September 30, 2027. Awardees must submit quarterly reimbursement claims, maintain documentation, and complete an annual report within 30 days of program completion. The timeline for this opportunity includes a proposal issue date of June 9, 2026, a deadline for submitting questions on June 23, 2026, and a final application deadline of July 9, 2026. Awards are expected to support programming during the defined contract period. This funding opportunity is recurring annually, requiring organizations to reapply each year. Applicants must maintain ongoing communication with the Youth Bureau and comply with monitoring and reporting requirements throughout the program period.

Ensure strong measurable outcomes tied to Touchstones framework; demonstrate partnerships; provide clear budget justification; align program with identified youth needs