Agency Interview

These interviews are a chance for agencies who have submitted an RFP to pitch their programs directly to Youth Board members.  It is (along with Site Visits) a chance for Board members to see beyond paper applications to the heart of a program.  Interviews are scheduled after agencies have submitted an RFP.  Once completed, Board members make their final recommendations for funding of agencies to the Youth Bureau. 

At-Risk/High Need Youth

The term can be used to describe a wide variety of youth, including those: Living within a family 200 percent or more below 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 run away from home; considered for placement outside of the home

Board of Directors

A body of elected or appointed members who jointly oversee the activities of an organization. It is often simply referred to as "the board."  A board's activities are determined by the powers, duties, and responsibilities delegated to it or conferred on it by an authority outside itself. These matters are typically detailed in the organization's By-Laws.

By-Laws

The by-laws detail a board’s activities, responsibilities, duties, and powers. The by-laws commonly also specify the number of members of the board, how they are to be chosen, and when they are to meet. 

DSS

Department of Social Services 

ECYB

Erie County Youth Bureau 

IRS 990 Form

Titled "Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax,” it is submitted by tax-exempt organizations and non-profit organizations to provide the Internal Revenue Service with annual financial information.  The Form 990 provides the public with financial information about a given organization, and is often the only source of such information. 

Local Youth Bureau

An agency created by counties and cities, or towns and villages, with a population of 20,000 or more people for the purpose of planning, coordinating, and supplementing the activities of public, private, and religious agencies devoted to the welfare and protection of youth.

Non-Profit, a.k.a. 501(c)(3)

501(c)(3) exemptions apply to corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational purposes, to foster national or international amateur sports competition, promote the arts, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals.

NYS OCFS

New York State Office of Children and Family Services

Primetime

In existence since 1995, this is a six to ten week summer program which serves youth ages 6-18, focusing on diverting them from the streets during high delinquency hours (12pm-7pm) and into safe havens.  Community-based organizations provide academic enrichment, socialization skills, community service projects, caring adults, supervised recreation, and decision-making skills. 

Private Foundation

Sometimes called a non-operating foundation; it receives most of its income from investments and endowments. This income is used to make grants to other organizations, rather than being dispersed directly for charitable activities. 

Public Charity 

Identified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as "not a private foundation," it normally receives a substantial part of its income, directly or indirectly, from the general public or from the government. The public support must be fairly broad, not limited to a few individuals or families.

RFP (Request For Proposal)

An invitation for agencies to submit a proposal on their specific program to be considered for funding.  RFP’s are based on a needs assessment and are the only applications ECYB agencies will use to apply for funding.

RHYA

Runaway and Homeless Youth Agencies provide services to runaway and homeless youth such as emergency shelters, transitional living, counseling, case management, food, clothing, shelter, independent living skills, etc.

Site Visit

These visits are a chance for Youth Bureau staff and Board members to see beyond paper RFP applications to what agencies are doing day-to-day.  Usually unannounced, their purpose is to review ongoing operations and the status of activities at intervals over the course of the contract period.  This allows the monitor(s) to become familiar with agencies, make casual observations, and generally verify that everything is in order.   

Touchstones

The NYS Touchstones vision is that all children, youth, and families will be healthy and have the knowledge, skills and resources to succeed in a society characterized by constant change. The Touchstones framework is organized into six major life areas: Economic Security; Physical and Emotional Health; Education; Citizenship; Family; and Community. Each life area has a set of goals and objectives – representing expectations about the future, and a set of indicators – reflecting the status of children and families. The goals and objectives are integrally related to each other and call for comprehensive strategies to address any single aspect of children and family well-being.

Year-Round

Refers to the year-round funding cycle of the ECYB.  Programs that operate year-round are eligible to receive YDP or RHYA funding.