Each year, the Genesee-Orleans Youth Bureau administers population-based state aid made available to Genesee and Orleans Counties by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services. In each county, the Youth Board reviews all proposals and submits funding recommendations to the County Legislature for final approval. Funding is available for youth development programs that serve youth up to age 21. Priority is given to programs that focus on asset development and risk reduction.

In Genesee County, proposals addressing the two risk factors identified as priorities by the Stop the Madness partnership will be given preference. Stop the Madness is a community coalition working to combat substance abuse by youth ages 12-17. The partnership has identified Favorable Parental Attitudes and Involvement in the Problem Behavior and Friends Who Engage in the Problem Behavior as priority risk factors in Genesee County. For more information on Stop the Madness, contact Pam LaGrou at 344-2580 extension 5566.

Grants are provided for new or expanded programs and are intended to be seed money to enable initiatives to get started and build community support. The majority of funding requires a 50 percent local match.

Renewal instructions will be sent to agencies and municipalities that currently receive funding. Proposals for new programs require a program concept, which includes a needs statement, program outline, intended outcomes and a budget summary. Interested agencies that provide services to youth in Genesee and/or Orleans Counties should contact the Youth Bureau at 344-3960 or 800-724-8388 (Orleans County only) for guidelines and additional information. Program concepts must be received by August 22 to receive consideration for 2002 funding.