Senator Young and Assemblyman Giglio Announce $200,000 State Grant To Support The Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau

ELLICOTTVILLE – Early development of a healthy, productive, responsible and caring lifestyle is the best way to chart a course for the next generation to succeed.

The Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau fulfills this mission through an array of social development, juvenile justice and educational programs that positively impact young people from the earliest stages through their teenage years.

Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I-57th District) and Assemblyman Joseph Giglio (R,C,I- Gowanda) worked together to secure $200,000 in this year’s state budget to support the Youth Bureau’s programming. The funding was announced during the Youth Bureau’s annual Youth Citizenship Awards ceremony on Monday evening.

“The best way to develop important life skills is through educational programming that begins at an early age and continues through adolescence. The end product is strong, civic-minded young people who are prepared to overcome any obstacles ahead of them,” Senator Young said.

This year, the Youth Bureau experienced some unforeseen budget challenges, as a result, the Director, Dr. Anthony Evans, approached Senator Young to inquire about the possibility for state assistance.

“The Youth Bureau’s programs are relied upon by so many young people rely on to develop the skills necessary to succeed. I was pleased to be able to secure these funds, so that we can continue to improve the quality of life for our young people and everyone in the community,” said Senator Young.

“The importance of programming for our youth can’t be stressed enough. I was pleased to work with Senator Young to secure this funding for the Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau,” said Assemblyman Giglio. “The Youth Bureau helps guide our young people to success through a variety of programs and partnerships, and you cannot overstate the vital and wonderful work that the Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau does on a daily basis. Their efforts on behalf of the youth in our community contribute to a lifetime of good choices and positive outcomes.”

Executive Director Dr. Anthony Evans said, “The mission and work of the Youth Bureau is crucial to the youth development and delinquency prevention for all of the 26,000 children and youth of Cattaraugus County, and we are very fortunate to have the strong support of Senator Young and Assemblyman Giglio, who are true friends to us and our work, and for that we are very appreciative.”

Historically, the Youth Bureau operates an array of programming through the State Office of Children and Family Services, through the Youth Development and Delinquency Prevention Program (YDDP), such as support for local municipal recreational programs and the Special Olympics. This Youth Services programming also works with partner community agencies to help develop and partially fund programs such as Camp New Horizons, the BOCES’ Government for Youth Intern Program, St. Bonaventure’s Social Action Program, Olean Youth Leaders in Action, Salamanca Youth to Youth, Olean YMCA Teen & Tutoring Center, the Parent Education Program, the Pfeiffer Nature Center and financial and logistical support for a variety of non-for-profit and non-governmental agencies throughout the County.

In the realm of Delinquency Prevention, the Youth Bureau operates a highly successful Youth Court. The voluntary alternative to the Juvenile Justice System, allows youthful, non-violent offenders under the age of 16 who are willing to admit culpability for an offense, the opportunity to work with highly trained middle and high school Youth Court Team Members. The program forms a fully organized and recognized component of the New York State Unified Court System, and it has received numerous accolades including Best Practices citations for their work in the important arena of Restorative Justice. Upwards of 98 percent of the young people who go through this process, and successfully complete sanctions, do not re-offend.

Additionally, the Cattaraugus County Youth Bureau operates a significant PINS Diversion and Placement piece of the total effort to help wayward youth. Through a remand or warrant from Family Court, youth come into the custody of the Youth Bureau where caseworkers locate an appropriate facility, to monitor and coordinate the necessary services for the child, while they remain in detention. Additionally, when ordered by Family Court or Probation, the Youth Bureau assists young people and their families in administering and maintaining ‘electronic bracelets’ that monitor the wearer’s whereabouts, in regards to issues of curfew, school attendance, and more.

Finally, the County Youth Bureau works closely with the State Education Department to responsibly administer $4 million for the Children with Special Needs Program. In cooperation with parents and local school districts, the program contracts with a variety of speech, physical and occupational therapists, providing service and transportation for 400 children with special needs between the ages of 3-5 years old.

Dr. Evans, who was recently elected as the President of the Board of the Association of New York State Youth Bureaus, added, “I recently took pride in driving an old car that had a quarter of a million miles on it and one of the reasons it lasted so long was that I had a good auto mechanic who often said something like, ‘For every dollar you spend in preventative maintenance you will save $10 in costly repairs down the road.’ Now, if that advice is true for our cars, how much more true might it be for our children and youth? I am so honored to be working with such a fine staff of dedicated employees who are strongly supported by County legislators and administrators, and that the Youth Bureau is a significant County departmental and community organizational collaborator and thus is able to truly make a positive difference in the lives of so many of our citizens.”