The Chautauqua County Youth Bureau has announced the availability of funding to support programs that promote positive youth development for young people under the age of 21. The funding provided by The Office for Children and Family Services (OCFS) and administered through the Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services (DMHSS), is designed to strengthen programs that help youth build the skills, relationships, and experiences necessary to thrive in school, work, and their communities.
Youth development programs play a critical role in fostering leadership, civic engagement, educational achievement, workforce readiness, healthy decision-making, and social-emotional well-being. Through this funding, Chautauqua County seeks to expand access to high-quality services, supports and opportunities that empower youth to reach their full potential and become active, engaged members of their communities.
OCFS encourages municipalities to fund a wide variety of youth development programs including, but not limited to, citizenship and civic engagement, community, economic security, physical and emotional health, education, safe harbour/anti-trafficking activities, and family supports.
The Chautauqua County Youth Bureau is seeking applicants from interested non-profit community-based organizations, cities, towns, and villages within Chautauqua County with a federal identification number and charity registration number. The grant program will run during the program term of October 1, 2026 through September 30, 2027.
Image from The Chautauqua County Youth Bureau.
