Erie County, NY- The Erie County Legislature Democratic Caucus is pleased to announce that the Erie County Department of Social Services has issued the 2020 Operation Primetime request for proposals for qualified agencies interested in providing Summer Primetime Programming to at-risk youth ages 5-20 in Erie County.

Eligible applicants are local youth bureaus/recreation departments in Erie County providing services to at-risk youth in the targeted age group. Organizations not part of a unit of local government must have their own 501(c)(3) status.  A maximum award of $15,000 is potentially available per funding request for local not-for-profit agencies and local youth bureaus to provide community programming.  A maximum award of $5,000 is potentially available per funding request for programming provided in the Secure Youth Detention Facility located at 810 East Ferry Street, Buffalo. 

The award period for Operation Primetime is June 29-August 31, 2020.  All programs must operate for a minimum of six weeks during this term.

The request for proposal timetable is as follows:

RFP Released:                                     Wednesday, January 15, 2020

RFP Informational Meeting:            Wednesday, January 29, 2020 from 10:30AM - 12:00PM at True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 E. Ferry St. Buffalo

Proposals Due:                                    Wednesday, February 12, 2020 by 5:00 pm to the Erie County Youth Bureau, 810 E. Ferry Street, Buffalo

Applicant Interviews:                        Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at True Bethel Baptist Church, 907 E. Ferry St. Buffalo

The request for proposals can be reviewed here.

Local youth organizations are urged to carefully review the request for proposals document and to consider sending proposals to the Department of Social Services. These are critically important programs that benefit children and teens in many communities.