Several programs begin in June as part of the Erie County Department of Social Services Youth Bureau’s “Summer Primetime,” after the announcement is made for the allocation of grant money for such programs. The application process already took place and involved the utilization of a Request For Proposal (RFP) by youth serving, not-for-profit agencies and Local Youth Bureaus in Erie County.
Prioritized program areas include, but are not limited to, Academic Enrichment; Cultural Enrichment, including arts, music and science; Career Enrichment; Youth Leadership; Community Service; and Civic Engagement. Supervised recreation may serve as a component of a program, but cannot run as a program by itself.
As part of the Summer Primetime model, agencies are encouraged to provide services for a period of six to ten weeks to at-risk youth. Program start times and dates vary per area. “At-Risk Youth” are stated as being any Erie County youth between the ages of 5 and 20 and fall under one or more of the following categories:
- Living within a family below 200% or more of federal poverty guidelines.
- At risk of becoming a Person In Need of Supervision (PINS).
- Juvenile delinquent or youth charged with committing a crime.
- Victim of child abuse, domestic violence, maltreatment and/or neglect.
- Exhibiting self-destructive behavior.
- School dropout.
- Youth in need of safe places, caring adults, and structured activities.
- Youth with 3 or more hours of idle time per day.
- Lack of parental support or positive role model.
- Homeless youth or youth who has run away from home.
- Considered for placement outside the home.
Proposals to provide Summer Primetime programming for the 2024 season were due February 7, 2024.
For additional information on Summer Primetime programs, please contact the Youth Bureau at 923-4000.
Primetime Funding Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What are you looking for in the RFP when you ask "What do you intend to do to improve this performance?"
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You should explain how you use the data you collect to review your program and how you use that data to improve your program’s performance.
- Can agencies charge fees to youth?
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Yes, provided that there are scholarships offered with the funds allocated by ECYB to ensure that no youth is turned away based on a family’s inability to pay.
- How do I show how I am measuring outcomes if I am running a new program that was started within the last few months?
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You should be able to show what measures you intend to track and what tools you currently have in place to track them, even if you do not have the data to show where your outcomes stand.
- Do I need to show a match requirement on my application?
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No. Beginning in 2014, there is no longer a match required.
- Is mileage and parking reimbursable for field trips?
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Yes. These expenses should be claimed as part of the budget in the "Transportation and Field Trip Costs" section.
- Is the money granted to agencies and Local Youth Bureaus considered OCFS money or County money?
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The funding comes to the Erie County Youth Bureau from NYS OCFS depending on its allocation from the state budget.
- What defines an "at-risk/high need" youth?
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Any youth that falls under one or more of the following categories:
- Living within a family below 200% or more of federal poverty guidelines
- At risk of becoming a Person In Need of Supervision (PINS)
- Juvenile delinquent or youth charged with committing a crime
- Victim of child abuse, domestic violence, maltreatment and/or neglect
- Exhibiting self-destructive behavior
- School dropout
- Youth in need of safe places, caring adults & structured activities
- Youth with 3 or more hours of idle time per day
- Lack of parental support or positive role model
- Homeless youth or youth who has runaway from home
- Considered for placement outside the home
- If you collaborate with partners for grants, do you list them under Contracted Services?
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Yes, if you are paying them a fee for their services. You would list the partner under the Contracted Services section of the budget. If you are not paying them for their services, you will simply list them as a partner in your program description.
- Should our organization apply for a mix of our programs or focus on one or the other?
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Due to the limited amount of funds available, each agency/Local Youth Bureau is only allowed to apply for one community program. Agencies/Local Youth Bureaus are also allowed to apply for one Detention program per funding cycle, for a total of two programs per funding cycle per year.