|
Under the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) regulations, the purpose of a Youth Bureau is to plan, coordinate, and supplement the activities of public, private and religious agencies devoted to the welfare and protection of youth. Youth Bureau's do not carry out this function alone. In Cortland County we are fortunate to have many dedicated individuals and agencies that work together to promote youth development and to prevent/reduce youth from engaging in risky behaviors. Following are several such organizations and significant people that the Youth Bureau works with: Cortland Area Communities that Care (CACTC): This is a community coalition that is comprised of parents, teachers, law enforcement, businesses, religious leaders, government, and other community activists who are mobilizing at the local level to make our community safer, healthier and drug free. The Coalition Board members meet monthly and the coalition holds quarterly meetings for anyone wishing to be involved. The next Annual Quarterly meeting will be May 13th at 3:30pm at the United Methodist Church on Rt. 222. Contact: Judie Murphy at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. Key volunteers include: JoAnn Wickman, Kathi Tavarone and Jeanette Dippo. Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Services (APPS): A Community Council oversees the APPS program ensuring that there are a range of services to prevent or reduce the number of adolescent pregnancies. Chairwoman: Judy Davision. Members include: Ann Withers; Garra Lloyd-Lester; Tiffanie Parker; Judi Riley; Elaine Lambert; Sarah Waller; Tiffanie Parker; Elin Pantas; Cindy Eberhart; Manny Lann. AmeriCorps: Provides an opportunity for individuals to make a commitment to national service that will challenge them to put their skills and ideals to work while helping others. SUNY Cortland is the lead agency for the program and Dr. Richard Kendrick is the Program Director.. Present AmeriCorps members volunteering in Cortland County are: Meghan Beck, Margaret Byrne, Kady Bonawitz; Max Benz, Brandon Dutcher, Andy Larson, Chad Hovey, Elizabeth Hensel, Nick Cecconi, Jessalynn Roman, Josh Preston, Joyce Stanton, Laura Hahn, Matt Cranson, Mike Laucello, Kim Mullins, Sarah Wilsey, Mark Ingram, Derek Witty and Stephanie Plude. Cortland County Youth Board: A volunteer board that oversees the County Youth Bureau. The Youth Board meets quarterly and members terms are three years and one year terms for youth. Members are appointed to the Board by the Cortland County Legislature. The Youth Board allocates Recreation and Youth Service funds from the NYS Office of Children & Family Services. Chairman: Tommy Miller. Board members include: Nicole Albro; Rebecca Canzano; Merissa Darling; Susan Francis; Scott Friedah; Nancy Kroot; Tracey Messinger; Kristen Monroe; Emily Morley; Celeste Schueren; Christian Seyerle; Janis Stewart; John Troy and Peter Veintimilla. Cortland County Youth Leadership: A youth development program for high school sophomores and juniors promoting leadership skills and familiarity with Cortland County. Planning Committee Members include: Machell Phelps; Mary Kate Boland; Chris Place; Bonnie Calzalaio; John Shirley; Kathy Cotterill; and Manny Lann. School Advisors include: Lori Middendorf; Susan Sperger; Michelle Walker; Maureen Alger; Jill Pace; Joe Seamons; and Karen Lang. Community Services Board: Advisory board that oversees Mental Health services in Cortland County. The CSB is charged with oversight for three subcommittees that coordinate services for Chemical Dependency; Mental Health and Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities. The CSB works with Community Services Director Larry Tingley. Healthy Communities, Health Track, Tobacco Coalition: Coalitions to improve and promote healthier behaviors in Cortland County in areas such as physical health, obesity prevention, and tobacco prevention/education. Rebecca Canzano and Jen Hamilton, Cortland County Health Department, Health Education and Chrystella Yonta, Seven Valleys Health Coalition chair the various coalitions and initiatives. Additional agencies and individuals that the Youth Bureau works with to provide services to youth include: Marie Walsh, Ann Marie Phelps; John McNerney, Cecile Scott, Erica Danega Joan Stivers, Kim McRae Friedman, Syd McEvoy, Shawn Smith, Susan Prier, Angela Perry, Maria Adsit, Jackie Carlton, Amy Simrell, Sara Earl, Connie Cranston, Don Kline, Matt Kemak; Mike Kilmer, Garra Lloyd Lester; Kristen Monroe, Mary Dykeman, Judy Davison, Robin Sandwick, Cindy Eberhart There are many more excellent organizations and dedicated individuals that were not mentioned that provide services to our youth such as the schools, municipalities, non profit agencies and county departments. Thanks to all the people for the excellent job that they do to help make Cortland County a wonderful place for our youth! Manny Lann is the Director of the Cortland County Youth Bureau and a member of the CACTC Board
|
