|
Governor’s Cuts Affect Youth Program
In February, New York State Comptroller, Thomas P. DiNapoli, published a report entitled, "Cost Effective Investments in Children at Risk.” DiNapoli states, "Programs focusing on at-risk children have proven effective at reducing the rates of juvenile violence and incarceration."
The DiNapoli report also states, "Instead of waiting until a child becomes a delinquent, New Yorkers will best be served by addressing problems at the start. Keeping just one child out of the juvenile justice system saves our state $210,000.00 a year and even greater costs to victims and communities. Investing in children early is not only the right thing to do, but it also protects taxpayer dollars." These enormous costs could potentially be prevented by intervening early.”
The Academy for Educational Development, Center for Youth Development and Policy Research (CYDPR), determined in a study that for every one dollar invested in youth development opportunities and supports, society gains $10.51 per youth. These findings support the DiNapoli report.
Governor's Cuomo’s proposed 2011-2012 budget included the Primary Prevention Incentive Program (PPIP) which eliminated the Youth Development/Delinquency Prevention (YDDP) and Special Delinquency Prevention Program (SDPP) funding as well as other funding streams distributed to counties. The Association of NYS Youth Bureaus informed its members on March 14, 2011 that both the Assembly and the Senate rejected the PPIP. The amounts for these funding streams will be reduced and the amounts won't be known until the budget is passed.
These funds are made available to Youth Bureaus based on each county's youth population. This allows for an equitable distribution of funds across the state. YDDP and SDPP funding generates over $500,000.00 in youth programs and services in Cortland County. A 50% reduction which was proposed by the Governor would have an immediate impact on youth services in the County.
Programs that are allocated funds by the County Youth Board and may be affected include: YWCA's Bridges for Kids Program, a mentoring program for children ages 5 - 12, serving over 120 children; the Cortland City Youth Bureau's Educational Support Program, a tutoring program and a GED program serving over 240 youth; Catholic Charities More Steps Program serving over 45 at risk teens; Cortland County Mental Health Clinic's One on One Respite Services providing mentoring and preventing out of home placements to 16 youth; the Homer Congregational Church's Teen Center for students in grades 6-8 serving over 100 youth; and the Virgil Afterschool Program serving over 50 children.
Summer recreation funding for towns and villages may also be reduced or eliminated. Most of these agencies and municipalities including the Cortland City Youth Bureau would have to reduce services or end the program impacting over 4,000 children and youth.
Governor Cuomo had also proposed to zero out Hoyt Memorial Trust Fund and Summer Youth Employment funds. Cornell Cooperative Extension's Family Resource Center is partially funded through the Hoyt funds. The rejection of the PPIP by the Senate and Assembly will restore funding to the Hoyt Foundation and the Summer Youth Employment program.
During the summer months, about 80-90 county youth are positively impacted each year with the help of a summer job. Data shows that a summer job not only generates income for local communities as spending is invested back into the community, and gives summer youth workers positive work experiences. Teens who work a summer job are more likely to complete and graduate high school and have higher earnings during their adult working years.
If you are concerned about the impact of these cuts on the youth and the youth programs in our community, contact your local and state representatives.
Manny Lann, is the County Youth Bureau Director and an active member of the Cortland Area Communities that Care Coalition.
|
