The Dutchess County Division of Youth Services administers funds for the New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS). There is an annual request for proposals and applications for Youth Development Program (YDP) funding and Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) funding. The program year runs from January 1 to December 31.
Funded programs are selected through a competitive Request for Proposals process. The Dutchess County Youth Board and Coordinating Council are responsible for reviewing, scoring, and making allocation recommendations to the county executive for grant proposals.
Youth Development Program (YDP) funding targets services that promote safety, supportive relationships, and other positive assets by engaging and empowering youth. Runaway and Homeless Youth Act (RHYA) funding targets youth who need temporary shelter or assistance with independent living skills.
NYS OCFS Youth Development Programming: ($185,600 Total)
The Art Effect (Poughkeepsie), https://thearteffect.org/programs/spark-studios/; (845) 471-7477, $19,000 Spark Studios–
Spark Studios, at the Poughkeepsie Underwear Factory, offers 60 youth, ages 14-19, valuable skills in film editing, sound, lighting, video production, and much more, while receiving immediate economic support. Youth mentorship fosters leadership, teamwork, and communication in a supportive environment. Daily well-being check-ins support participants’ well-being.
Beekman Library (Beekman), (845) 724-3941, $5,000
Youth Empowerment through Service (Y.E.S.) –
Thirty-five high school age teens will contribute to their community and gain leadership skills by acting as library volunteers. Teens may apply to serve as volunteer shelvers or academic mentors to younger children. Volunteer shelvers will learn library classification systems; academic mentors will serve as “Reading Buddies” or “Homework Helpers” to children in K-6.
Chamber Foundation, Inc. (Dutchess), (845) 454-1700, $12,000
The Next Gen Academy –
Next Gen Academy is a 3-week STEAM-focused career readiness program for 20 youth, ages 16-21. This program focuses on providing the knowledge necessary for youth to build a successful college and career pathway. Program activities will include introductory skills to coding, computer-aided design, design thinking, and 3D printing. In addition to program activities, daily morning leadership hour will engage youth with local technology leaders while learning about the ways in which they are using technology to solve problems within their community.
Child Abuse Prevention Center (Dutchess), https://www.thecpca.org; (845) 454-0595. $115,587 Personal Safety Program –
The Personal Safety Program is a preventative sexual abuse education program that provides countywide free, classroom-based safety workshops for grades pre-K to 6th. It provides students with tools and resources for identifying and reporting sexual abuse and provides faculty and staff with resources and protocol for identifying and reporting sexual abuse.
City of Beacon (Beacon), (845) 765-8440, $5,000
The Beacon Pool Swim Academy –
The City of Beacon pool will host the popular Beacon Pool Swim Academy. The program runs for 8 weeks as four 2-week sessions. Each session can serve 24 children/youth. The program is split into age groups: ages 6 months-3 years; ages 3-5; and ages 6-12, for a total goal of 96 youth served over the 8 weeks.
Cornell Cooperative Extension Dutchess County (CCDC) (Beacon), http://ccedutchess.org/youth-4-h/green-teen-community-gardening; (845) 677-8223. $22,000 Green Teen Workforce Development Community Gardening, –
The Green Teen program prepares 15 youth, ages 10-20, for college and careers through employment set in the context of community gardening–teaching the skills and behaviors employers seek. Education in areas such as communication, financial literacy, resume writing, nutrition, and social justice is provided.
Dutchess Community College Foundation (DCC) (Dutchess), https://www.sunydutchess.edu/studentlife/dcc_cares.html; (845) 451-8403. $19,800 DCC Cares, –
DCC Cares provides postsecondary education dropout prevention and increases the retention and graduation rates of students 17 – 21 years old, who are at risk, including economically disadvantaged, first generation, and underrepresented minority. A Student Resource Navigator provides 100 students with direct assessment, case management, workshops, and follow-up services from community service providers to help them enroll, complete their studies, and graduate.
Family Services (Poughkeepsie), (845) 452-1110, $7,500
Teen Resource Activity Center (TRAC) and SNUG Alignment –
TRAC and SNUG Alignment offers free, supervised afterschool programming, Monday-Friday, from 4-9pm at the Family Partnership Center. This program serves 75 youth, ages 11-18. Participants play sports, engage in performing arts through theater, music, and podcasting, receive academic support, participate in pro-social/emotional workshops, eat a nutritious dinner, and relax with friends while gaining exposure to positive adult role models. Youth also participate in Summer Youth Employment receiving training and job placements in the neighborhood.
Hudson River Housing (Dutchess), https://hudsonriverhousing.org/what-we-do/specialized-support-services; (845) 454-5176. $12,000 HRH Youth Enrichment Program –
Hudson River Housing Enrichment provides year-round activities and workshops for 50 current and former residents. These activities/workshops promote physical and emotional wellness; improve ability to form healthy relationships; build character/confidence; create a deeper appreciation of their local community through visits to parks, museums, galleries, colleges, libraries, and participate in art/music activities.
Northeast Community Center, Inc. (Webutuck), https://www.neccmillerton.org/teen-jobs; (845) 518-789-4259. $14,123
Community Partnership with Schools and Businesses (Teen Jobs) –
Workforce development program in Millerton for youth ages 14-20. Twenty-four youth will have the opportunity for a paid internship (minimum wage $13.20) at 20 local businesses/organizations, where they are trained and mentored by adult employees. In addition, interns benefit from workshops on general job skills, resume writing, job interviewing, and college planning/financial aid
Pawling Free Library (Pawling), (845) 855-3444, $5,000
Teaching Mental Health Skills to Children –
This program serves children from birth through age 14 who live in/near Pawling. The focus is on improving children’s mental health skills and increasing families’ access to information about youth mental health. Program offers developmentally appropriate options, utilizing books, activities, and events to help children learn about emotions, emotional regulation, and pro-social behavior. Materials available in Spanish. Primary focus is developing activity kits that families can take home and use on their own schedule. Projected enrollment is 88.
Poughkeepsie Farm Project (Poughkeepsie), (845) 475-2734, $15,765 Green Jobs for Youth –
The three main objectives of Poughkeepsie Farm Project: (1) prepare youth (ages 16-20) for careers in farming, gardening, and food education; (2) increase local economic and food security; and (3) support youth in job searches and placement by connecting them with potential employers. The program serves 24 youth who will learn to grow, harvest, prepare, and distribute food within their community.
R.E.A.L. Skills Network (City of Poughkeepsie), (845) 452-6088, ext. 3169, $7,500 Peer Mentors –
R.E.A.L. Skills Network offers 30 low-income teens in Poughkeepsie an afterschool program to learn life skills through positive interactions with adult mentors. These youth will subsequently mentor younger children. The program works with community partners to offer six activity blocks during the school year: (1) anti-violence; (2) mediation skills; (3) babysitting; (4) CPR; (5) health topics; (6) job and academic skills.
Ramapo for Children (Rhinebeck), (845) 876-8429, $6,000
SEL-Based Experiential Programming for Youth –
Ramapo for Children offers 30 Dutchess County 7th-11th graders, 8-12 weekly sessions utilizing experiential activities and restorative practices to strengthen youth’s social and emotional learning (SEL) skills. Each session will include a small group check in, a sequence of experiential activities (cooperative games, group problem-solving initiatives, high and low ropes course experiences, and a reflective debrief) and a positive closing activity.
Red Hook Community Center, Inc. (Red Hook), (845) 758-0077, $10,500 RHCC Teen Groups –
Red Hook Community Center, Inc. will serve 32 youth, ages 11 – 17, who reside in northern Dutchess County. Meetings are held at the Red Hook Community Center during after-school hours and provide a safe place for youth to use their time productively and engage in positive peer and staff interaction. Youth participate in organized community service, life-skills learning centered around cultural competency and race equity, and organized recreation.
Red Hook Public Library (Red Hook), (845) 758-3241, $9,000
Teen Takeover –
Red Hook Public Library is a teen-designed, teen-run program offering 44 local youth, ages 10-17, time and space to connect with peers through gaming, cooking, and other activities. The program empowers youth and provides a place to socialize and work.
Town of East Fishkill (East Fishkill), $7,000 Too Good for Drugs –
Too Good for Drugs is a 5th grade elementary school-based drug prevention program designed to reduce students’ intention to use alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drugs, while promoting pro-social attitudes, skills, and behaviors. The program seeks to build the self-confidence of students, so they are better prepared to make healthy choices and achieve success. The program aims to develop positive peer norms, appropriate attitudes towards alcohol, tobacco, and illegal drug use. This program will reach 250+ students.
Town of Hyde Park (Hyde Park), https://hydeparkny.myrec.com/info/activities/; (845) 229-8086. $5,300
Learn to Swim Program –
The Learn to Swim program will provide 60 youth (ages 3 months to 14) the opportunity to achieve life-long skills through the instruction by certified American Red Cross Swimming Lesson staff. The program will not only provide youth the opportunity to learn to swim, but also physical exercise in a fun, safe, and positive environment.
Town of Red Hook (Red Hook), (845) 758-4625, $5,000
Town of Red Hook Recreation –
Town of Red Hook Recreation offers 20+ different recreational programs to over 500 youth (ages 0-21) who live within the boundaries of the Red Hook Central School District. The Recreation Commission often offers youth and young adults’ opportunities to participate in community service projects.
Wassaic Project (Amenia), (855) 927-7242. , $5,000
Junior Varsity and Varsity Arts Club – The Junior Varsity and Varsity Arts Clubs are two concurrent afterschool programs for 24 middle and high school students of Webutuck Central School District. The program takes place in a dedicated makerspace in Wassaic. Youth will be mentored by two Wassaic Project educators. The aim is to work with students longer to foster creative growth and social-emotional development.
NYS OCFS Runaway and Homeless Youth Programming: ($XXX,XXX Total)
Hudson River Housing (Dutchess), https://hudsonriverhousing.org/what-we-do/specialized-support-services; (845) 454-5176.
River Haven Shelter, $100,091 – River Haven is a NYS-certified RHYA (Runaway and Homeless Youth Act) Part I program that addresses the immediate needs of Dutchess County’s runaway, homeless, and at-risk youth between the ages of 10-17. The co-ed shelter offers a homelike atmosphere for up to 12 young people at a time, with additional capacity for a teen parent with up to two children. The program provides crisis intervention services, care management, youth development programming such as life skills and enrichment workshops, counseling, referral assistance with basic needs, and a supervised emergency shelter accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.