Mission Statement, Goals, and Objectives for

The Schoharie County Youth Bureau

July 2011

(Revised May 2012, May 2013)

Youth not only represent future leaders, producers, and citizens, but they are an extremely

valuable resource today.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page Number

1. Introduction 4

2. Purpose of Re-evaluation Plan 4

3. What is positive youth development? 5

4. Why we Use the positive youth development model 5

5. Vision Of Schoharie County Youth Bureau 6

6. Mission statement 6

7. Who we are serving 6

8. Direction of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau 6

9. Core Principles of Youth Bureau Programs and Services 7

10. Goals and Objectives 8-15

11. How we are currently meeting our goals (current programs) 16

12. What we need to do to meet these goals (future programs) 17

13. Committees and Boards 17

14. Resources 17

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Introduction:

The re-evaluation plan of the Youth Bureau’s mission, goals, and objectives is

intended to be a road map for future Youth Bureau programs, services, supports,

and organizational development. This will be the first step towards developing a

comprehensive strategic plan. In the development of the Strategic Plan, we will

be recognizing the Youth Bureau’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and

threats. In the process of creating our strategic plan, the Youth Bureau will be

able to position themselves to fully appreciate some of the underlying challenges

facing our youth and react accordingly.

This plan has been developed by the Director of the Schoharie County Youth

Bureau with much assistance from the Youth Bureau staff, The Youth Board Chair

and the Youth Board, The Youth Board sub- committee (tasked with assisting in

this process), as well as many youth serving professionals from the community.

Purpose

The purpose of this plan is to reflect on the mission, vision, and core operating

values of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau in order to meet the increasing

demand for quality youth programs and services, while facing ever decreasing

funding and resources. This document will serve as a tool to aid in the re-

evaluation and reorganization of the Youth Bureau to better serve and advocate

for the youth of Schoharie County.

In light of the recent and drastic reductions in the amount of state funding

through the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) and the possibility of

losing control over this funding stream it has become very important for the

Youth Bureau to utilize all available resources to ensure that we are able to

remain an active and positive force in the county.

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What is Positive Youth Development?

Before we can fully appreciate the importance and the value of the Schoharie County

Youth Bureau, I feel it is important to understand the key principle behind everything that we

do here at the Youth Bureau. That key principle is the Positive Youth Development (PYD)

model. PYD is a well established and evidence based approach that helps all youth develop and

grow into happy and productive adults. Through this process youth are given the opportunities

and challenges that will promote and build upon their individual strengths, recognize their

weakness, and give them the skills and the belief in their skills to successfully navigate the

challenges of adolescents to arrive prepared for adulthood. Below I have a few examples of the

definition of PYD and why it is an important tool in the development of our programs and

services.

“...the ongoing growth process in which all youth are engaged in attempting to (1) meet their basic personal and social needs to be safe, feel cared for, be valued, be useful, and be spiritually grounded, and (2) to build skills and competencies that allow them to function and contribute in their daily lives.” ~Karen Pittman, 1993, Forum for Youth Investment

Positive youth development is a process that prepares young people to meet the challenges of adolescence and adulthood through a coordinated, progressive series of activities and experiences, which help them to become socially, morally, emotionally, physically, and cognitively competent. It addresses the broader developmental needs of youth, in contrast to deficit-based models, which focus solely on youth problems ~National Collaboration for Youth Members, 1998. Positive youth development strives to help young people develop the inner resources and skills they need to cope with pressures that might lead to unhealthy and antisocial behaviors. It aims to promote and prevent, not to treat or remediate. Prevention of undesirable behaviors is one outcome of positive youth development, but there are others including the production of self-reliant, self confident adults who can become responsible members of society. ~Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development, 1992.

Why we use the Positive Youth Development model

Research indicates that young people who are surrounded by a variety of opportunities for engagement encounter less risk and ultimately show evidence of higher rates of successful transitions into adulthood (Alberts, Chase, Naudeau, Phelps, & Lerner, 2006; Bandy & Moore, 2009; Eccles & Gootman, 2002; Roth & Brooks-Gunn, 2000; Pittman, Irby, & Ferber, 2001; Pittman, 1999; Lerner, 2004). The absence of major problems is not sufficient to ensure a healthy future. Our economy and society will benefit from having more young people arrive at adulthood with skills, interests, and habits to make them productive members of society. (Center for Early Adolescence 2011)

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Vision That Schoharie County is a safe, engaging place for all youth to grow, learn, and develop into happy, healthy, and productive adults. Mission Statement

It is the mission of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau to promote and advocate for the empowerment and well being of the youth of Schoharie County by incorporating Positive Youth Development methods in our direct and supportive programs and services.

Who we serve

It is our belief that all youth will benefit more in programs that are designed to incorporate

youth from different backgrounds which puts the primary focus on positive outcomes rather

than deficit based programming that focus on negative behaviors. We will continue to provide

programming that meets these criteria, but will remain flexible in order to provide services and

programs for specific at risk youth populations as needed.

Direction of the Schoharie County Youth Bureau

With a fresh perspective on our mission, goals and objectives, understanding what we do well

and how we best serve our youth, and the financial outlook we will be operating under for the

next few years, the Schoharie County Youth Bureau will pursue the following strategic direction.

1. The SCYB will review and deepen our existing direct programs and services to

ensure they are meeting the needs of all youth and the community in which they

live; while continuing to work within the current financial environment.

2. The SCYB will continue to support and work in collaboration with the many agencies

and organizations serving our youth. While seeking out and providing support for

new collaborative efforts that address both at risk and preventative services.

3. The SCYB will continue to work to identify gaps in youth services and take a

leadership role in coordinating efforts to meet the needs by utilizing all available

assets in the community.

4. The SCYB will continue to explore and develop new and innovative programs to

meet the ever changing needs of our youth and their community.

5. The SCYB will continue to be a valuable resource for the many youth serving

agencies by providing the youth they serve access to our direct programs, by

connecting them with the many valuable resources in the county, and by providing

direct programming for their clientele.

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Core Principles of Youth Bureau

Programs and Services

Youth voice

The positive youth development model

Experiential Learning

Advocating for youth

Collaborative efforts

Skill Development

Engaging

Civic responsibility

Social skill building

Meaningful challenges and experiences

Opportunities to gain a sense of belonging

Support youth’s successful transition into adulthood

Promote positive attributes

Promote healthy lifestyles

Prevent negative influences

Utilize all possible resources and assets in our community (available for our youth)

that offer positive experiences and supports

Develop positive relationships between youth and caring adults

Provide youth with the opportunity to have a say in their own development

Provide leadership opportunities

Provide opportunities to all youth regardless of their risk level or economical status.

Provide a safe environment, both physically and emotionally, for our youth

Challenge by choice

Opportunities for youth to meet new people

40 Developmental Assets- Search Institute

Youth are opportunities to be a kid

HAVE FUN

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Youth Bureau Goals and Objectives

Goal 1: Provide young people access to positive experiences through our direct

programming, our funded programs, and through our collaborative efforts

with other youth serving agencies and resources.

Programs:

Youth As Leaders (YAL)

Summer Adventure program

Traveling Arts & Crafts Program

Bike Derby

April Adventures

Family Programs

OCFS Funded Programs

Objective 1:

Provide varied experiences that incorporate our mission statement.

Objective 2:

Provide challenging programs that will bring youth out of their comfort zones,

where they will be able to grow and learn what their strengths are.

Objectives 3:

Continue to expand our services into all parts of the county, making our programs

accessible to the outlying communities.

Objective 4:

Work with other youth serving agencies and organizations to cross promote

programs and services for youth.

Intermediate Outcome:

Youth have multiple opportunities to engage in youth programming and services.

Increase youth participation in quality youth programs and services

End Outcome:

The more opportunities youth have to be engaged in positive experiences the

greater chance they will have to be successful.

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Goal 2: Maximize our direct contact with the youth we serve through continuous

services and opportunities through each program and throughout that

youth’s childhood.

Programs:

Youth As Leaders

Summer Adventure Program

Traveling Arts & Crafts

April Adventures

Family Programs

OCFS Funded Programs

Service Learning Program (possible new program)

Youth As Leaders mentoring Program (possible new program)

Objective 1:

Provide increasingly challenging programming that will keep youth engaged

throughout their childhood.

Objective 2:

Provide longer length programs that have youth meeting multiple times

throughout program.

Objective 3:

Keep staff to youth ratios low to ensure maximum adult /youth contact and

meaningful interaction.

Objective 4:

Direct contact with youth will provide the Youth Bureau with a valuable insight

to the issues youth face, so that we can better advocate on their behalf.

Intermediate Outcome

Youth have the opportunities to participate and have consistent contact with

qualified youth development professionals.

End Outcome

The more contact time youth have with Youth Bureau programs and staff will

increase the likelihood that they will have a smoother transition into adulthood.

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Goal 3: Connect youth to their community through engaging and meaningful activities.

Programs:

Youth As Leaders Program

o Leadership Training

o Service Learning Opportunities

o Connecting youth from all parts of the county

Summer Adventure

o Service Projects

o Connecting Youth from different parts of the county

Youth Service Day

Youth Conference (funding cut for 2011)

April Adventure

Summer Adventure Program

Anti Bullying Programs

o Rachel’s Challenge

o Point Break

Service Learning Program(possible new program)

Objective 1:

Provide meaningful service projects that connect youth to various components of

their community.

Objective 2:

Provide opportunities for youth to meet other youth from different towns and

schools.

Objective 3:

Provide programs that connect youth to positive adult role models.

Intermediate Outcome

Youth begin to feel a part of their community and develop a sense of civic

responsibility.

End Outcome

The civic responsibility will carry over with them into adulthood. Youth become

responsible and productive adults that will take the lessons they learned and

become active members in their communities.

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Goal 4: Strengthen our connection and impact in our school districts and their students.

Programs:

YAL

After School Programs

o Helping Hands- Schoharie

o Ryder/ Radez After School Program

Fairs & Awareness Days

Conservation Day

Youth Conference (funding cut for 2011)

Adventure Programs for Middleburgh School Outing Club

Head Start Graduation Family Fun Day

ACE program -Gilboa Conesville School (funding only)

*Funding cut 2011

Anti Bullying Programs

o Rachel’s Challenge

o Point Break

Character Development Pilot Program Schoharie Elementary School

Objective 1:

Provide our schools with additional resources for mutual benefits for both the

school and the community.

Objective 2:

To become a regular and consistent presence in our schools to increase our

connection to the youth we serve.

Objective 3:

Students will be connected to additional Youth Bureau programs & services.

Intermediate Outcomes

Students will have increased opportunities to improve their success in school,

both academically and socially.

Schools will see a decrease in negative behaviors and an increase in positive ones.

End Outcome

Students will have had a more meaningful and connected school experience

which will aid in a smoother transition into adulthood.

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Goal 5: Strengthen our connection and collaborative efforts with other youth serving

agencies and organizations (non school) in the county.

Programs and Services:

Adventure Programs for Family Support Project

April Adventures- 4-H

Legislative Interns- Cornell Cooperative

Leadership Workshops- Fields of Grace

Holiday Programs (Holiday Train & Toys For Tots Train) - SCCAP

Referral opportunities to our direct programs o Division of Social Services (DSS) o Family Support Project o Berkshire Farms o Parsons o Mental Health Case management o Northeast Parent o Probation o Schools

Objective 1:

To work together to provide the youth of Schoharie County with the services they

need for healthy development.

Objective 2:

Share information and resources to prevent overlapping services and to fill in

gaps in services.

Objective 3:

Work effectively in economically tough times/ collaborate on grant projects.

Objective 4:

Co- develop and implement new programs and initiatives to meet the need

and challenges of our youth identified through our collaborative efforts.

Intermediate Outcomes

Increased collaborative efforts between agencies and organizations.

End Outcome

Schoharie County youth serving agencies and organizations will continue to grow

and strengthen our efforts to provide the necessary resources for all youth to

develop into productive adults.

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Goal 6: Give youth a voice and a say in the decisions that will affect them.

Programs and services:

Youth Board members

Youth As Leaders

Advancing Youth Development Trainings

Youth Forum and Legislative Day in Albany

Objective 1: Provide youth with opportunities in our programs to have meaningful input that

is incorporated in to the programs they participate in.

Objective 2:

Provide youth with leadership skills so they can advocate for themselves.

Objective 3: Continue to educate and train adults who serve or work with youth on the

importance giving youth a voice in matters that affect them directly. Objective 4:

Utilize our youth’s voices as an invaluable resource to increase our understanding of effective prevention and intervention efforts.

Intermediate Outcomes

Increased youth connection and ownership to the programs and services

available to them.

End Outcome

Youth will have a better understanding of working in partnership with others to

develop better solutions.

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Goal 7: Continue to strengthen and increase our role on youth serving committees &

organizations.

Committees and Organizations: Child At Risk Response Team (CARRT)

Juvenile Justice Sub Committee

Creating Healthy Places Partnership

Friends of Mine Kill State Park

Liberty Partnership Program Advisory Board

Schoharie County Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Board

Human Resources Coordinating Council

SUNY Cobleskill Student Engagement Advisory Board

Suicide Prevention Task Force

Creating Healthy Places Partnership

Healthy Families New York

Capital District Youth Bureau Association

Association of New York Youth Bureaus

Office of Youth Development- OCFS

Schoharie County Community Action Program- Board of Directors

Objective 1:

Stay informed on the many issues and challenges facing our youth.

Objective 2:

Remain and build upon our relationships with others who are a part of the same

committees.

Offer Youth Bureau services for those who these committees are set up to serve.

Objective 3:

Collaborate on grant opportunities.

Objective 4:

Look for additional opportunities to participate on committees or boards that will be

mutually beneficial for all parties involved.

Outcomes

Position the Youth Bureau to be a valuable resource for which others can utilize our

programs, services, and experiences working directly with the youth in our county.

Youth Bureau Programs will remain flexible and relevant to the current challenges facing

our youth through the increased networking and information sharing.

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Goal 8: Incorporate and promote healthy lifestyle practices into our programs and services.

Committees and Organizations:

Creating Healthy Places Partnership

Healthy Families New York

Friends of Mine Kill State Park

Objective 1:

When food and beverages are offered, provide healthy options for snacks, meals, and beverages.

Objective 2: Provide programs that promote physical activities. Especially those activities that can be

carried into adulthood.

Objective 3 Assist other organizations and agencies spread the healthy lifestyle message.

Objective 4: Advocate for the importance of a healthy lifestyle in the positive development of our

youth. Objective 5: Advocate and support community development that supports a healthy and active

lifestyle.

Immediate Outcome

Youth will have increased access to healthier nutritional options and physical activity to increase their overall health and well being.

End Outcome

Youth continue to increase their healthy lifestyle into adulthood.

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Youth Bureau Direct Programs

1. Youth As Leaders

2. Summer Adventure Program

3. April Adventure

4. Traveling A&C

5. Family Programs

Youth Bureau One Day Events 2011

1. Rachel’s Challenge (2010 only)

2. Point Break (2010, 2012, 2013)

3. Youth Conference (Not doing this 2011)

4. Youth Leadership Forum (Part of YAL Program)

5. Youth Service Day

6. YAL Puppet Show (Part of YAL Program)

7. Bike Derby

Youth Bureau Services for other agencies and organizations

1. After school Program Cobleskill

2. Adventure Trips - Family Support

4. Helping Hands after school program- SCS

5. Legislative Interns

One Day Programs and Event the Youth Bureau Participates in

Program Sponsor Type of Involvement

1. Health & Wellness Day CRSD Informational 2. Health & Wellness Day SCS Informational 3. Awareness Day MSC Program 4. Conservation Day SCSW Program 5. Leadership Training Fields of Grace Program 6. Community Fun Day Esperance Informational 7. FAM Fund Run Fenimore Assets Informational 8. Holiday Train SCAPP Staff Help 9. Toys For Tots Train SCAPP Staff/ Program 10. Health & Safety Fair Schoharie County Informational 11. Meet & Greet Juvenile Justice Comm. Informational 12. Family Fun Day SC Head Start Informational 13. Schoharie river Days Schoharie River Center Programming

14. Independent Living Class Berkshire Farms Programming

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Future Programs to be implemented to help meet Youth Bureau Goals

1. Peer Mentoring

2. Year Round Adventure Programming

3. Service Learning Program

4. Career Readiness Program

5. After School Programming

6. Educational Programming

7. Character Development Program

8. 21st Century After School Leadership Program

Committees & Boards

1. Schoharie County Youth Bureau Youth Board

2. Liberty Partnership Program Board

3. Schoharie County Council on Alcoholism & Substance Abuse Inc. (SCCASA) Board

4. Friends of Mine Kill State Park Board

5. Juvenile Justice Committee

6. Suicide Prevention Task Force

7. Human Services Coordinating Council

8. Capital District Youth Bureau Association

9. Creating Healthy Places Partnership

10. Schoharie County Department Head Association

11. Schoharie County Community Action Program Board

12. Child At Risk Response Team

Additional Resources

Association for New York State Youth Bureaus www.anysyb.net

40 Developmental Assets www.search-institute.org

The National Resource Center for Youth Development http://www.nrcyd.ou.edu/

The Office of Youth Development (Department of OCFS) www.ocfs.state.ny.us

New York State Touchstone

http://www.ccf.state.ny.us/initiatives/TouchstonesHome.htm